When Florida’s Flying Neighbors Become Uninvited Houseguests: The Delicate Balance of Bat Colony Management in Morningside

In the warm, humid climate of Morningside, Florida, homeowners face a unique wildlife challenge that requires both expertise and legal compliance. Thirteen different species of bats live in Florida year-round. All of them sleep in roosts during the day and emerge at dusk to feed on insects throughout the night. While these nocturnal creatures provide invaluable pest control services, they can sometimes choose human structures as their preferred roosting sites, creating a delicate situation that demands professional intervention.

Understanding Florida’s Bat Protection Laws

Florida takes bat conservation seriously, and for good reason. Florida’s native bat populations include endangered species including the Florida bonneted bat. The state has established strict regulations governing bat removal, particularly during maternity season, which begins April 16, and according to wildlife officials, Florida’s 13 bat species may be drawn to human-made structures, including buildings under construction.

During bat maternity season, FWC said it is illegal to block bats from their roosts, which helps keep flightless young from being trapped inside structures. It is illegal in Florida to kill or harm bats, and the only legal method to remove roosting bats from structures is the use of exclusion devices, which allow bats to exit a structure safely but block them from returning to their roosts. This protection period runs from April 15 – August 15, as a permit is required to conduct an exclusion during this time period.

The Ecological Value of Bats

Before considering removal, it’s important to understand why these creatures deserve protection. Each bat consumes large quantities of insects. During the summer, when pregnant and nursing female bats have especially high energy requirements, each bat may consume as much as two thirds of its body weight per night. Bats can eat hundreds of insects a night, including mosquitoes and other pests, wildlife officials say, which makes them beneficial ecologically and economically.

The species most likely to eat mosquitoes in Florida is the southeastern bat (Myotis austroriparius). This species has been reported to consume more mosquitoes than any other bat in any other state. For Morningside residents dealing with Florida’s notorious mosquito populations, a nearby bat colony can be a natural ally.

When Bats Become a Problem

Despite their benefits, bats roosting in homes can create serious issues. Bats in Morningside present distinct challenges due to diseases, infrastructure damages, contamination risks, and their exponential reproductive rates. Invasive bats harbor and transmit dangerous diseases to humans and pets including rabies, histoplasmosis, and white-nose syndrome. Their urine and guano also corrodes surfaces while spreading allergens and odors.

Additionally, female bats’ prodigious breeding enables colonies numbering hundreds to quickly explode under ideal roosting conditions. Colonies grow exponentially in warmer months as females birth pups, leading to competitions for safe nursery spaces. They frequently seek out dark, sheltered voids within attics, wall spaces, storm tunnels and cave-like structures.

Professional Bat Management Solutions

For Morningside residents facing bat intrusions, professional wildlife removal morningside services offer the expertise needed to handle these situations legally and effectively. ProControl Services, based in nearby Port St. Lucie, has been serving the Treasure Coast region since 2006 with comprehensive wildlife control solutions.

At ProControl Management Services we pride ourselves in providing fast, affordable and reliable pest control services. Since 2006 we have been providing Treasure Coast residents and local businesses with dependable pest control solutions. Our goal is to keep your home and business pest free. ProControl specializes in humane wildlife removal and rodent control. Whether it’s squirrels in your attic or raccoons rummaging through your trash, we’re equipped to handle it. Our team uses humane traps and safe exclusion methods to ensure these animals are relocated without harm.

The Proper Exclusion Process

Professional bat exclusion requires precise timing and technique. Bat exclusion is a multi-step technique where all potential bat entry and exit points in a building are identified. One-way exit devices are installed to allow bats to leave the structure but not re-enter. Finally, all potential bat entry points are permanently sealed to prevent re-entry by bats.

FWC say to legally exclude bats, exclusion devices must be installed on key exit points, left up for a minimum of four nights and the exclusion must be conducted when the overnight temperature is forecast to be 50ºF or above. Under Florida Law, these devices must stay in place for a minimum of four consecutive nights with no rain, high winds, or temperatures below 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Bats do not fly when the conditions are not clear or warm enough.

Creating Alternative Habitat

A comprehensive approach to bat management includes providing alternative roosting sites. Install a bat house on your property. Add native plants when landscaping your property to attract native pollinators and benefit bats. Setting up a bat house near your home is a great way to get involved in protecting bats. Plus, it provides you with the opportunity to observe bats’ fascinating behavior.

Consider putting up a bat house nearby or on the building before the exclusion begins. Bats are unlikely to switch and use a bat house, but may use it after an eviction/exclusion. Bat houses have an increased chance of occupancy if they are placed in the flight route of the bats exiting the building.

Professional Cleanup and Restoration

After successful exclusion, proper cleanup becomes essential. If a colony of bats has been in a roost for a long time there will likely be an odor and an accumulation of bat guano. Bat guano is made up of undigested insect particles and usually can be left undisturbed without concern for human health, if it is in a dry area of the building that is not used or is inaccessible. When disturbing the guano, it is important to take precautions due to a fungus that can grow in soil enriched by bat droppings that may cause a respiratory illness known as histoplasmosis.

At ProControl Management Services we offer free estimates to all of our clients, whether you have a residential, commercial, or industrial building with a bug problem. Have a peace of mind knowing that we are licensed, fully insured and we stand behind all our products and service offered.

The Importance of Timing

For Morningside homeowners discovering bat colonies, timing is everything. Fall is the best time to exclude bats from your home or other structures because maternity season, which occurs from April 15 to August 15, has ended. During the Fall, no young are present, making it the ideal time to evict any bats that may be occupying a structure on your property and to bat-proof your home.

Successful bat colony management in Morningside requires balancing homeowner needs with wildlife protection. By working with experienced professionals who understand both the legal requirements and the ecological importance of these beneficial creatures, residents can resolve bat conflicts while contributing to conservation efforts. The key lies in acting at the right time, using proper techniques, and maintaining respect for these remarkable flying mammals that play such a vital role in Florida’s ecosystem.