Florida’s multifamily communities questioning whether or not they have Florida bats on their property need to be observant. These properties may have a secret hidden world with discreet entries that often goes unnoticed until it’s too late. It’s a world inhabited by a remarkable, yet misunderstood, creature: the Florida bat. While these winged mammals play a vital role in our ecosystem, their knack for finding unconventional entry points into residential buildings is creating a growing challenge for property managers and a startling surprise for residents.
The first sign of this new multifamily resident is often a curious sight. Residents, enjoying an evening in paradise on their patios, may observe what they initially mistake for birds flying erratically around the rooftops and eaves of buildings. The flight patterns are different and more agile. Upon closer inspection, the realization dawns: these are not birds, but bats.
Florida bats discover tiny gaps and vulnerabilities in a building’s structure, often finding their way into attics, wall voids, and other secluded spaces. All potential invitations for a bat may include a loose soffit, a small crack in the fascia, or a tiny gap where two building materials meet. These entry points, often no larger than a quarter, are often difficult to detect an infestation until a colony has already established itself.
What begins as a single bat seeking refuge can quickly escalate into a full-fledged colony. Female bats, looking for a warm, secure place to raise their young, find the attics of multifamily structures to be ideal nurseries. As the colony grows, the telltale signs become more apparent. Residents may hear scratching or squeaking noises from inside the walls or ceilings, particularly at dawn and dusk when the bats are most active. The most definitive proof, however, is the presence of guano on ledges, windowsills, or sidewalks below the entry points.
Florida bats are an essential part of the state’s natural pest control, devouring thousands of mosquitoes and other insects each night. Their presence in residential buildings, however is not without risks. While bat guano, typically can harbor a fungus called Histoplasma capsulatum, it is not prevalent in Florida. Florida properties should be more concerned with individuals with allergies. The dander and other debris from bat colonies can trigger allergic reactions in sensitive individuals, exacerbating conditions like asthma.
The discovery of a bat colony requires swift, professional intervention. Since August 15th, WellTech Pest Solutions, LLC has been at the forefront of this effort, providing expert bat removal and exclusion services.
Our approach is two-fold: first, we safely and humanely remove the bats from the property. This process involves a meticulous inspection to identify all entry and exit points, followed by the installation of one-way exclusion devices. These devices allow the bats to leave the structure at night to feed but prevent them from re-entering.
Once the bats have been successfully excluded, the second phase begins: sealing all potential entry points to prevent future infestations. This step is crucial and requires a keen eye for detail, as even the smallest crack can become a new access point. We also ensure the property is left clean and free of health risks.
Dealing with an unexpected bat colony in a multifamily community is a complex challenge, but with the right expertise and a proactive approach, it can be managed effectively by our wildlife, exclusion, and special services team (W-E-S-S) at WellTech Pest Solutions—exclusively multifamily pest and wildlife management services, and exclusively Florida!