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Integrated Pest Management in the Home: Has Your House Gone Batty? Facts about Bats

Shelly Johnson, LuAnn Duncan, Katherine Allen, Judy Corbus, Faith Oi, Karen Stauderman, , Nelly Nelson, andMaria Portelos-Rometo


Release Date: 2/8/2026

DOI: 10.32473/edis-uw548-2026

Natural Resources

Abstract

Are there bats in my house? Why? And what should I do about it? Bats are the only major predator of night-flying insects, which makes them an important part of our ecosystem. Occasionally, a single bat or group of bats find their way into a human-made structure. The Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in the Home series is intended to answer frequently asked questions, allay fears, and provide practical help to the public. All bats in Florida are protected, and it is important to seek assistance and follow state and federal laws. This publication provides information to educate homeowners on appropriate and lawful ways to deal with bats in buildings.

About this Publication

This document is WEC479, one of a series of the UF/IFAS Departments of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation and Family, Youth, and Community Sciences. Original publication date February 2026. Visit the Ask IFAS website at https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu for the currently supported version of this publication. © 2026 UF/IFAS. This publication is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. 

How to Cite

Johnson, S. A., Duncan, L., Allen, K., Corbus, J., Oi, F., Stauderman, K., Marin, K., Nelson, N., & Portelos-Rometo, M. (2026). Integrated Pest Management in the Home Series: Has Your House Gone Batty? Facts about Bats. EDIS, 2026(1). https://doi.org/10.32473/edis-uw548-2026

Authors

Shelly Johnson
Shelly Johnson
Specialist
University of Florida

state specialized Extension agent III, natural resources, UF/IFAS Extension, Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, Gainesville, FL

LuAnn Duncan
LuAnn Duncan
County agent
University of Florida

Extension educator II, OSU Extension Mahoning County, OH; and Extension agent III emeritus, family and consumer sciences and food systems, UF/IFAS Extension Sumter County, Bushnell, FL

Katherine Allen
Katherine Allen
County agent
University of Florida

Extension agent IV, M.A., family and consumer sciences, UF/IFAS Extension Suwannee County, Live Oak, FL

Judy Corbus
Judy Corbus
County agent
University of Florida

multi-county Extension agent IV, family and consumer sciences, UF/IFAS Extension Washington and Holmes Counties, Chipley, FL

Faith Oi
Faith Oi
Specialist
University of Florida

Extension professor, urban entomology, UF/IFAS Department of Entomology and Nematology

Karen Stauderman
Karen Stauderman
County agent
University of Florida

Extension agent IV, commercial horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension Volusia County, DeLand, FL

Katherine Marin
Katherine Marin

former family and consumer sciences agent, UF/IFAS Volusia County Extension

Nelly Nelson
Nelly Nelson
County agent
University of Florida

Extension agent II, family and consumer sciences, UF/IFAS Extension Manatee County, Palmetto, FL

Maria Portelos-Rometo
Maria Portelos-Rometo
County agent
University of Florida

Extension agent IV emeritus, Ed.D., family and consumer science, UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County

Publication #WEC479

Peer Reviewed
Homeowner