BATS IN THE ATTIC
Bats in the Attic in Central Florida
A colony in the attic needs a plan that fits Florida's calendar. Here's how to confirm it's bats, what the law allows right now, and what to know about the guano.
- Dusk watch
- Legal dates
- Guano safety
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What do I do about bats in my attic in Florida?
Confirm it with a dusk watch, then plan an exclusion: one-way devices let the bats out and keep them out, and the gaps are sealed after. From April 16 to August 14 that waits, unless FWC issues a permit. Never seal bats in. Details on bat removal, or call (844) 264-6254.
- Watch at dusk
- Exclude Aug 15 to April 15
- Never seal them in
- Guano safety
Confirm it
How to confirm bats in your attic
You don't need to go up into a hot, guano-filled attic to know. Most of this you can do from the yard.
Do a dusk watch
Sit outside with a view of the roofline from a little before sunset. FWC's brochure says to look for bats at dawn or dusk as they leave or return to the roost. Note every spot they come out of.
Find the guano
Black, dry droppings under the roost and below the openings, on a windowsill, the lanai floor or the attic insulation.
Spot the stains
Light brown smudges of oil and dirt around the gaps bats squeeze through.
Notice the smell
A strong smell from a long-used roost. FWC calls it a quality-of-life problem rather than a health hazard.
Listen
What a bat colony sounds like
Bats are quieter than rats or raccoons. The timing is what gives them away.
Around sunset
Light scratching or chirping as the colony stirs, then the bats leave the roost one after another to feed.
Before sunrise
The bats return to the roost around dawn, and you may hear them rustle as they settle.
Through the night
Mostly quiet. Florida's bats are out hunting night-flying insects.
In the day
Bats are roosting, so the attic is mostly quiet. Steady daytime noise is more likely squirrels.
The calendar
What you can do, month by month
Florida's rules for bats in buildings come down to the date. These are from FWC's April 2026 announcement.
August 15 to April 15
- Exclusion with one-way devices
- Book the exclusion. Devices stay up at least four nights with lows forecast at 50°F or warmer.
April 16 to August 14
- No exclusion without an FWC permit (maternity season)
- Get the inspection done, close gaps the bats don't use, and book the first legal date.
Any time
- Removing one bat from the living space
- Close it into one room and open a window. If anyone may have touched it, call the county health department first.
Killing, poisoning, trapping or relocating bats isn't allowed at any time of year. More in our bat maternity season guide.
Why it matters
Why a bat colony shouldn't stay in the attic
FWC's brochure is clear that bats roosting in buildings don't physically damage the structure. The problems are what they leave and who they might meet.
- Guano on the insulation. It builds up under the roost for as long as the colony stays, and the attic insulation is where it lands.
- Breathing the dust. The CDC says histoplasmosis comes from breathing spores of a fungus that grows in soil mixed with bird or bat droppings, and recommends a respirator in a confined space with guano. FWC notes no Florida case has been traced to guano in a building.
- A bat in the house. A colony in the attic can mean the odd bat in a bedroom. Not all bats carry rabies, but the CDC says bat bites can be tiny, so any contact needs a call to the health department.
When it can't wait
Call right away if
Someone woke up with a bat
Don't let it go. The CDC says to call animal control or the health department so the bat can be captured and tested, because bat bites can be too small to notice.
Bats keep turning up indoors
One bat can wander in through a door. Repeated bats in the living space mean the roost has a way into the house.
A bat on the floor or in daylight
Never pick one up bare-handed. FWC's brochure says rabies in bats is rare, but bites are avoided by not touching them.
What it usually takes
From the first call to a sealed attic
- 1
Inspection
Any time of year: confirm the colony, find every opening and check the guano.
- 2
Wait, if needed
Between April 16 and August 14, the exclusion waits for August 15 unless FWC issues a permit.
- 3
One-way devices
Up on the active exits for at least four nights, with lows forecast at 50°F or warmer.
- 4
Seal
When no bats are left, the devices come down and the openings are sealed.
- 5
Walk-through
We show you the guano and soiled insulation the colony left.
After the bats
Guano after bats: what to know
Cleanup comes after the colony is out and the gaps are sealed, never before, or the bats just move back in. How much work it is depends on how long they were there. FWC notes that guano in a dry, unused space can usually be left undisturbed, but many attics hold ductwork, wiring and stored things, and people go up there. In that case the guano comes out. The CDC recommends a respirator in a confined space with bat droppings, so this is work for protective gear, not a dust mask. Insulation under an old roost is usually soaked through and gets bagged and removed.
- Respirators, as the CDC recommends in a confined space with guano
- Guano and soiled insulation noted in the inspection
FAQ
Bats in the attic: common questions
Why did bats pick my attic?
FWC says bats may roost in buildings that mimic their natural roosts, especially after their natural habitat is disturbed. A warm, dark attic with a small gap at the roofline fits the bill.
Can I seal the hole while the bats are out at night?
No. Some bats stay in, and in maternity season the pups can't fly. FWC warns that bats that can't get out before the exit is sealed die inside the building.
Will the bats leave in winter?
Plan the exclusion instead of waiting. Book it for the legal window, August 15 to April 15, and make sure overnight lows are forecast at 50°F or warmer so the bats are active and actually leave.
Can I get rabies from bats in my attic?
Only through a bite or scratch, which is why bats shouldn't be handled. FWC's brochure calls rabies in bats rare. Florida's Department of Health still names bats as one of the state's two main wildlife sources of rabies, so any contact with a bat needs a call to your county health department.
Can bats get from the attic into my living space?
Sometimes a single bat does. FWC notes that a maternity colony is usually not found in rooms where people live or work, because the mothers need a warm, undisturbed roost. Repeated bats indoors point to a gap between the attic and the house.
Do I need to replace the insulation?
Usually only under the roost, where guano has built up. It depends on how long the bats were there.
Are bats in the attic a health risk?
Mostly through guano dust and bat bites. Don't go into a guano-covered attic without a respirator, and don't handle bats with bare hands.
How many species of bats are in Florida?
FWC's brochure counts 13 resident species, and all of them eat night-flying insects. The Brazilian free-tailed bat is one FWC calls common in Florida buildings.
Reviews
What customers say
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Brandy Casanto
- ★★★★★
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- ★★★★★
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April Daves
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Read moreBats coming out of your roof?
Call (844) 264-6254. We'll confirm the colony and tell you what this month's rules allow.
Serving Central Florida: Pasco, Pinellas, Hillsborough, Hernando, Citrus, Sumter, Polk and Marion counties.