Bat Help in Florida

The Lubee Bat Conservancy is an international non-profit organization dedicated to protecting biological diversity through the conservation of fruit bats. We do not keep or carry out conservation projects directly with insectivorous species such as the bat species commonly found throughout the United States. The work we do to conserve native Florida bats is thru conservation education. In 2008, our education programming reached over 5,000 students and adults in north central Florida counties. Our programs teach kids and adults about the value of bats to people and to the Florida landscape. Bats eat millions of tons of insects each night across Florida, they are extremely important for the overall well-being of the ecosystem and keeping down the mosquito population! Due to our focus on non-native bat species we are unable to take calls to deal with locally grounded bats, or their presence in residential and business areas. Please refer to the information/resource list below for common questions about bats in Florida.

What to do if you come across a bat outdoors or find one in your home/building.

1st: Do NOT handle the bat, call the “Florida Wildlife Care 24hr Wildlife Helpline” at 352-371-4400.

It is important to know that picking up a bat with bare hands is the most common way in which people are bitten. Animals will bite in self-defense, and bats are not an exception. When bats are on the ground, it may be because they are sick. Some bats may transmit rabies. Rabies in bats is not common, however if you are bitten by a bat, consult the Centers for Disease Control Bats and Rabies web page.

2nd: Bats are friendly neighbors. Consider sharing your building with them!

If you believe you have bats roosting in your roof spaces/building, first consider how much of a nuisance you consider them on a scale of 1 to 10. And then think about letting them share your building. Most bats select man made structures to roost in because they are running out of natural homes (often old trees/caves) to live in, and have no other option. All across Europe, people live with bats living in their roof spaces, sometimes without even noticing they are there.

3rd: The bats are a nuisance, I want to move them out of my building.

If you decide you would prefer not to share your building with bats, visit Bat Conservation International's website to read about How to exclude Bats. This page offers many helpful tips on how to remove a bat safely without injuring yourself or the animal as well as how to prevent bats from roosting or move bats who have taken residence in your home.

• A video of how to safely remove a bat is available here

•Download an instructional flyer here

If you decide to use a professional pest excluder, please check on BCI's web site to make sure they are approved by BCI. Exclusion should not be done during the bats breeding season June/July - when bats in Florida have baies, and these are left behind in a building while the mothers head out in serach of food.

If you decide to exclude bats yourself, you might consider purchasing a a wildlife friendly Bat Cone exclusion device to move already roosting bats and to prevent new colonies from roosting.

How to construct or purchase a successful bat house

Bat Conservation international has a very information page on how to get involved in Bat Conservation in your own backyard.
The page discusses how to install a bat house and have it be a successful roosting location for local bats.

The Organization for Bat Conservation Sells a wide variety of Bat Houses

Bat House FAQ’s Answers to all of your bat house questions!

Bats of Florida

Coming soon!!!