This is the time of year it is most common to see bats and the Division of Wildlife Resources has information on how to prevent conflicts with them. “From June to August is the hardest time of year for dealing with bat nuisance issues,” shares DWR Mammal Conservation Coordinator Kimberly Hersey. “Since the young can’t fly yet and are reliant on their mother’s milk, preventing the mothers from returning to their roosting spot will kill the babies. Because bats are a protected wildlife species, it’s illegal to kill them. I’ve also seen where poorly timed removals can lead to bats in attics suddenly finding their way inside someone’s home because the mothers are trying to reach their young. So, unless there is a human health and safety issue where bats are coming into close contact with people, we do not permit bat colony removal during this time of year. However, you can take actions to prevent them from getting into the living areas of your home. Although it may be inconvenient, you should wait until the young can fly, and then you can safely, humanely and permanently address the problem.” For detailed instructions and tips on preventing conflicts with bats, visit wildlife.utah.gov.
