Bat in the House? Who to Call in Florida, Situation by Situation
The short answer: it depends. One bat flying in a room can usually be let out a window. If it may have touched anyone, call your county health department first. A hurt bat goes to a wildlife rehabilitator, and a colony in the attic has to be removed by exclusion, which a wildlife removal company can do: (844) 264-6254.
Who to call, by situation
One bat flying in the house, no contact with anyone
- Nobody, usually: let it out (steps below)
- FWC
A bat bit, scratched or may have touched someone
- Your county health department, before letting the bat go
- CDC
A bat on the ground, hurt or sick
- A wildlife rehabilitator on FWC's county list, or an FWC regional office
- FWC
Bats living in the attic, walls or under roof tiles
- A wildlife removal company or your FWC regional office, for an exclusion within FWC's rules
- FWC
One bat in the room
FWC says a single bat inside can be removed at any time of year, and that one bat doesn't mean a colony is moving in (FWC). Its steps:
- Stay calm. A flying bat is looking for a way out, not attacking.
- Turn on the lights, close the doors to other rooms, and open the room's outside doors and windows.
- Don't chase it. It usually flies out within a few minutes.
- If it lands, cover it with a container while wearing heavy leather gloves or using a thick towel, slide cardboard behind it, and let it go outside.
FWC is clear: never handle a bat with bare hands, because it may bite to protect itself.
If anyone may have touched it
The CDC says bat bites can be tiny enough that you don't know you were bitten. If you think there was contact, talk to your health department, and don't release the bat until you've spoken with a public health expert, because it may need rabies testing (CDC). If someone was bitten or scratched, wash the wound with soap and water and get medical help right away.
A hurt or grounded bat
FWC asks people to note where the animal is and contact a wildlife rehabilitator, or the nearest FWC regional office if no rehabilitator can be reached. It keeps a list of permitted rehabilitators by county, and it's against Florida law to keep injured wildlife longer than it takes to get it to one (FWC).
A colony in the house
Bats roosting in an attic, soffit or tile roof have to be excluded: one-way devices let them leave, and the openings are closed after. FWC allows exclusion only from August 15 to April 15, with devices up for at least four nights when lows are forecast at 50°F or warmer, and it doesn't allow poison, fumigants, or catching and relocating bats (FWC). Our Florida bat laws and bat maternity season guides explain the timing, and bats under barrel tile roofs covers tile homes.
See bat removal and bats in the attic, or call (844) 264-6254.