Bat removal in Tampa, FL
Critter Guys handles bat removal in Tampa, FL the only way Florida allows: one-way exclusion, timed outside maternity season. The bats leave on their own, and we seal the roof so they can’t come back.
- Exclusion only, never killing
- Scheduled around pup season
- Guano cleanup available
Bats at your Tampa place? Ask us
Tell us what you are hearing or seeing. We will get back to you, set up a visit and give you a straight answer on what it takes.
- Firm quote before any work starts
- Call, text or email, your pick
- Licensed and insured in Florida
Quick answer. Critter Guys does bat removal in Tampa, FL using one-way exclusion devices that let bats fly out but not back in. Because bats are a protected species here, we schedule every exclusion outside the April 15 to August 14 maternity window. After the colony is out we seal every gap and can clean up the guano. Call or text (321) 203-6963 to set up an inspection anywhere in Tampa.
What Tampa bat removal looks like by month
The season decides what we can do, so a Tampa bat job starts with the calendar.
| Time of year | What we do |
|---|---|
| August 15 into early spring | Inspect, install one-way devices, seal the building |
| Early April | Finish exclusions before the window closes on April 15 |
| April 15 to August 14 | No exclusion. We inspect, plan, and seal unused gaps only |
| After the colony is out | Remove the devices, close the last gaps, clean guano |
Why bats settle into Tampa buildings
Bats eat insects, and Tampa has plenty of them along the Hillsborough River, around Lettuce Lake, over the retention ponds of New Tampa and across the bay shoreline. A colony that feeds over the water at night needs a warm, tight spot to sleep during the day, and Tampa rooflines are full of them.
Brazilian free-tailed bats and evening bats are the two we find most often in local buildings. Both have turned up around the USF campus over the years. They squeeze into gaps under barrel tile, behind loose fascia, inside gable vents and in the seams of older commercial roofs downtown and in Ybor City. Our Tampa wildlife removal page covers the rest of the animals we see around the city.
Around Tampa
- Insects over the Hillsborough River
- Barrel tile roofs across the city
- Older masonry buildings in Ybor City
- Free-tailed and evening bats both common
A few recent calls
How Tampa homeowners find out bats moved in
Bats are quiet compared with raccoons or rats. These are the clues people usually spot.
A line of bats leaving at dusk
Stand outside at sunset and watch the roofline. Bats pouring out of one spot, one after another, is the clearest sign there is.
Droppings piling up on the lanai or a windowsill
Bat guano looks like mouse droppings but crumbles to dust when crushed. It tends to collect right under the entry point.
Brown stains around a gap
Oils from the bats’ fur leave a dark smudge around the hole they use, often on fascia or stucco near a roof edge.
Squeaking in the wall at sunset
Colonies chatter as they wake up. You’ll often hear it from a bedroom wall or ceiling right before they fly out.
A bat inside the living space
One bat in the house usually means a colony nearby that has found a gap into the interior. Don’t touch it with bare hands.
Tampa reviews from bat exclusion customers
4.9
141 reviews on Google
★★★★★
Josh from the Critter Guys did an excellent job explaining the process for removal of bats. He emphasized the humane aspect by coming back several times to ensure that all the bats were no longer on our property. He then sealed all opening to our soffit and removed the bat trap. Josh went beyond what we expected. When we called to provide updates he always answered and listened to us. I highly recommend this company and a huge shout-out to Josh. Thank you Critter Guys Humane wildlife services for a job well done.
Joe RaspantiGoogle review
★★★★★
Josh is excellent, very humane, takes all the time to explain, is never upset in the middle of a situation, and always has a reassuring answer. I recommend him 100%.
Jaylene EstradaGoogle review
★★★★★
Definitely recommend Craig with Critter Guys! Professional and courteous ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
S CGoogle review
Read every review on Google or see more Critter Guys reviews
Our bat removal process for Tampa properties
Bat exclusion is patient work. Rushing it is how bats end up trapped inside a wall.
Inspect at dusk if needed
We find every spot bats are using, plus the gaps they could use next. Sometimes that means watching the roof at sunset.
Seal everything except the main exits
Small unused gaps get sealed first, so the colony is funneled to the exits where the one-way devices go.
Install one-way devices
Bats fly out to feed and can’t get back in. We leave the devices up long enough to be sure the whole colony is out.
Close it up for good
The devices come down and the last openings are sealed, with the roofline reinforced where needed. Our wildlife exclusion page for Tampa explains the materials we use.
What to do about the guano
Bat guano piles up fast under a colony, and it can carry the fungus that causes histoplasmosis. It’s not a reason to panic, but it is a reason not to sweep it up with a broom or run a regular vacuum through the attic.
Once the bats are out and the roof is sealed, we remove the guano and soiled insulation and sanitize the area. Details are on our Tampa attic cleanup page.
- Don’t sweep or vacuum dry guano
- Keep kids and pets out of the area
- Clean only after the bats are excluded
- Replace insulation that’s soaked or crusted
Call in June, get on the schedule for August
If you spot bats during maternity season, call anyway. We can inspect, plan the job and seal the gaps they aren’t using, so the exclusion goes in right after August 14. Our Central Florida bat removal page explains why the rule exists.
Bat exclusion near Tampa
Other services for Tampa properties
What Tampa homeowners ask about bat removal
Have a question that isn’t here? Call or text (321) 203-6963 and we’ll help.
Can I get bats removed from my Tampa house in May?
Not by exclusion. Florida bats are protected, and FWC rules prohibit exclusion from April 15 through August 14 while the young can’t fly yet. We can still inspect, plan the work, and seal gaps the bats aren’t using, then exclude the colony once the window opens.
How much does bat removal cost in Tampa?
Price depends on the size of the colony, how many gaps need sealing, the height and type of roof, and whether guano cleanup is needed. Nothing is scheduled until you’ve seen the plan.
Are bats in my Tampa attic a health risk?
They can be, if handled wrong. Bats are one of the animals most often found with rabies in Florida, so never touch one bare-handed, and guano can carry the fungus behind histoplasmosis. Left alone and removed properly, a colony is manageable.
Do you remove bats from commercial buildings in Tampa?
Yes. We handle bat exclusion for businesses, HOAs, townhome communities and property managers as well as homes. Older commercial roofs and parapet walls are common roost spots, and the same calendar applies.
Can I spray something to drive the bats out?
No. Repellents and sprays don’t reliably move a colony, and harming bats is illegal in Florida. One-way devices are the method that works and follows the rules. The bats leave on their own and simply can’t get back in.
Will the bats leave my Tampa roof on their own in winter?
Usually not. Florida’s mild winters mean many colonies stay put year-round, which is part of why late fall and winter are good times for exclusion here. We can confirm whether yours is still active during the inspection.
Plan your Tampa bat exclusion now
Call or text (321) 203-6963. Even during pup season, we can inspect and get you set up for the first open week.