Tampa Bay Bat Exclusion
The Only Permanent Way to Remove Bats
Exclusion — not trapping, not poison — is the only legal and permanent solution for bat colonies in Tampa Bay homes. Here is exactly how it works.
What Is Bat Exclusion
Exclusion vs. Everything Else
Bat exclusion is the process of installing one-way devices at every active entry point on a structure, allowing bats to exit normally but preventing re-entry. Once the colony has fully vacated — typically 3 to 7 nights — the devices are removed and every entry point is permanently sealed.
It is the only method approved by Florida Fish and Wildlife and the only approach that actually solves the problem. Trapping is illegal. Poisons are illegal. Repellents and ultrasonic devices do not work on established colonies. Exclusion works because it works with bat behavior rather than against it.
Done correctly, a professional exclusion is permanent. The bats leave on their own, no animals are harmed, and the structure is sealed against re-entry. Done incorrectly — or attempted during Florida's maternity season blackout — it creates a far worse problem than the one you started with.
Florida Statute 379.231 prohibits trapping bats. Trapping also does not solve the entry point problem — more bats will move in.
No pesticide is registered for use on bats in the US. Poisoning bats is a federal offense under the Endangered Species Act.
No peer-reviewed evidence supports ultrasonic devices as effective bat deterrents. Established colonies ignore them entirely.
One-way devices allow bats to exit normally but prevent re-entry. Once the colony vacates, all entry points are permanently sealed. Guaranteed.
Why Exclusion Works
How One-Way Devices Remove a Colony
Bats exit every night to feed
Brazilian free-tailed bats — the most common species in Tampa Bay attics — leave their roost at dusk every night to hunt insects. This predictable behavior is what makes exclusion possible.
One-way devices block re-entry
Exclusion tubes and netting allow bats to push out through their normal exit point but collapse or seal behind them. Bats cannot find their way back in through the device.
The colony relocates naturally
Bats that cannot re-enter their roost will find an alternative site — ideally a bat house installed nearby. They do not die; they move. This is why exclusion is the only humane method.
All secondary gaps are sealed simultaneously
While exclusion devices are active on primary entry points, every other gap on the structure is permanently sealed. This prevents bats from finding a new way in while the colony is being displaced.
Primary points are sealed after evacuation
After confirming the colony has fully vacated — typically by monitoring for 3 to 7 consecutive nights with no activity — the exclusion devices are removed and the primary entry points are permanently sealed.
Written guarantee covers re-entry
A professional exclusion comes with a written guarantee. If bats re-enter through any point we sealed, we return and re-seal it at no charge. No reputable company offers this guarantee on a partial job.
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We serve all of Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando, Polk, and Manatee counties.
Our Process
The Tampa Bat Removal Exclusion Process
Free On-Site Inspection
We inspect your full exterior — roofline, soffits, fascia, vents, chimney, and all penetrations — and document every gap larger than half an inch. We also perform a dusk emergence count to identify active entry points and estimate colony size.
Detailed Written Estimate
You receive a written scope of work covering every entry point, the materials we will use, the exclusion timeline, and the guarantee terms. No surprises, no upsells on-site.
Exclusion Device Installation
One-way tubes or exclusion netting are installed over every active entry point. All secondary gaps are sealed permanently on the same visit. Work is scheduled outside the April 15–August 15 maternity season blackout.
Monitoring Period
We monitor the structure for 3 to 7 nights to confirm the colony has fully vacated. During this period, bats exit normally each night but cannot re-enter. The timeline depends on colony size and weather.
Final Sealing and Cleanup
Once the structure is confirmed bat-free, exclusion devices are removed and primary entry points are permanently sealed with materials matched to your structure — caulk, hardware cloth, metal flashing, or foam backer rod.
Guarantee and Follow-Up
We issue a written exclusion guarantee and schedule a follow-up inspection if any activity is detected. If bats re-enter through any sealed point, we return at no charge.
Written guarantee on every job. If bats re-enter through any point we sealed, we return and re-seal it at no charge. We stand behind every exclusion because we seal every gap.
Florida Law
The Maternity Season Blackout: April 15 – August 15
Florida law prohibits bat exclusion from April 15 through August 15 each year. This is the period when female bats are nursing pups that cannot yet fly. Sealing entry points during this window traps pups inside — they die, creating a guano and odor problem that is far worse than the original colony.
If you discover a colony during maternity season, you can still schedule an inspection, document entry points, and have a full scope of work prepared. Exclusion work begins the moment the blackout lifts on August 16.
Attempting DIY exclusion during the blackout — or hiring an unlicensed contractor who ignores it — is a violation of Florida Statute 379.231 and can result in significant fines. It also guarantees a worse outcome than waiting.
Discovered a colony during the blackout? Call us now. We can inspect, document every entry point, and have your exclusion scheduled to begin August 16 — the first day work is legally permitted. In the meantime, learn about Florida's maternity season rules and what to do about any guano accumulation.
Tampa Bay Species
The Bats You Are Dealing With
Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat
Tadarida brasiliensis
By far the most common attic bat in Tampa Bay. Forms large colonies — sometimes hundreds in a single attic. Highly mobile; will probe every gap in a structure if excluded from their primary entry point.
Evening Bat
Nycticeius humeralis
Common in Tampa Bay, particularly in older homes with wood fascia. Smaller colonies than free-tailed bats, but equally persistent. Often found in wall voids as well as attics.
Southeastern Myotis
Myotis austroriparius
Less common in residential structures but found in Tampa Bay. Prefers structures near water. Requires the same exclusion approach as other species.
Common Questions
Bat Exclusion FAQ
How long does bat exclusion take?
The on-site work — installing exclusion devices and sealing secondary gaps — typically takes one day. The monitoring period is 3 to 7 nights. Final sealing takes a few hours. Total process from first visit to completion is usually 1 to 2 weeks.
Can exclusion be done during maternity season?
No. Florida law prohibits bat exclusion from April 15 through August 15. If you discover a colony during this period, we can inspect, document, and schedule — but exclusion work cannot begin until August 16.
What happens to the bats after exclusion?
They relocate to another roost site. Bats are not harmed by exclusion — they simply cannot re-enter the structure they were using. Installing a bat house nearby gives them an alternative and keeps them working on your mosquito population.
Do I need to do anything about the guano after exclusion?
If the colony has been present for more than a season, guano remediation is strongly recommended. Accumulated guano produces ammonia odor, supports histoplasmosis fungus, and can damage insulation and structural materials. We assess guano accumulation during the inspection and provide a remediation estimate if needed.
How do I know if the exclusion worked?
We monitor for 3 to 7 consecutive nights with no bat activity before performing final sealing. After the job is complete, the absence of guano accumulation and odor over the following weeks confirms success. Our guarantee covers any re-entry through sealed points.
Why can't I just seal the gaps myself?
Sealing an active roost without first installing exclusion devices traps bats inside. They will find new exit routes — often through wall voids into the living space — or die inside the structure, creating a far worse problem. Exclusion must always precede sealing on an active colony.
Ready to Solve This Permanently?
Free on-site inspection. Written estimate. Guaranteed exclusion. We serve all of Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando, Polk, and Manatee counties.