Bat Removal & Exclusion in Riverview, FL
Bats in the attic require legal, humane exclusion — done right and within Florida law.
Bats are protected under Florida law, and it's illegal to trap, harm, or exclude them during maternity season (April 16 – August 14) when flightless pups are in the roost. The Brazilian (Mexican) free-tailed bat is the species most often found colonizing Tampa Bay attics, soffits, and rooflines, followed by evening and big brown bats. They squeeze through gaps as small as 3/8 inch near the roofline, gable vents, and ridge caps, and the colony returns and grows year after year if it isn't excluded. We perform legal, humane bat exclusion using one-way devices that let bats leave but never get back in, then seal every entry point and safely clean up the guano.
Pests We Treat
- Brazilian (Mexican) free-tailed bats
- Evening bats
- Big brown bats
- Seminole bats
- Bats roosting in the attic
- Bats in soffits & gable vents
What's Included
- Legal exclusion, fully compliant with Florida's bat maternity-season law
- Humane one-way devices — no trapping, poisoning, or harm to the colony
- Whole-structure sealing so bats (and other wildlife) can't re-enter
- Safe guano removal, sanitizing, and decontamination
- Insulation assessment and replacement where guano has soaked in
- Follow-up inspection to confirm the roost is empty
Our Process
- 1Full inspection to identify the species, the roost, and every entry point (bats use gaps as small as 3/8 inch)
- 2Install humane one-way exclusion devices at the active openings — only outside the April–August maternity season
- 3Confirm all bats have exited over several nights
- 4Seal every gap, vent, and roofline entry with exclusion-grade materials
- 5Remove and sanitize guano, then assess attic insulation for contamination
Bat Removal & Exclusion — Frequently Asked Questions
Is it legal to remove bats in Florida?
Yes, but only through humane exclusion — never trapping or killing. Florida law prohibits bat exclusion during maternity season (April 16–August 14), when flightless pups would be trapped inside and die. We schedule and perform exclusions legally, outside that window.
What kind of bats get into attics in Tampa Bay?
The Brazilian (Mexican) free-tailed bat is by far the most common attic colonizer around Riverview and Tampa, along with evening bats and big brown bats. They're drawn to warm, dark, undisturbed attics and roost in colonies that grow year after year if not excluded.
How do I know if I have bats and not rats?
Bats leave dark, crumbly guano (droppings that sparkle with insect fragments) piled directly below entry points, brown grease-staining at gaps in the roofline, and a distinctive ammonia smell — plus chittering at dusk and bats seen flying out at sunset. Rodents leave scattered droppings and gnaw marks instead.
Why is bat guano dangerous?
Accumulated bat guano can harbor Histoplasma, a fungus whose spores cause a respiratory illness called histoplasmosis. Guano also soaks into insulation and drywall and attracts other pests. We clean, sanitize, and decontaminate with proper protective equipment.
How long does bat exclusion take?
The exclusion devices typically stay up for several nights to be sure the entire colony has left before we seal. Total time depends on colony size and the number of entry points, but most homes are fully excluded and sealed within one to two weeks — timed around the legal season.
Need Bat Removal & Exclusion in Riverview or Tampa?
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