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With spring returning to the province, homeowners are being asked to check for unwanted tenants which could drive them batty.
As homeowners sweep away cobwebs and prepare for warm-weather home renovations, the Government of Saskatchewan is reminding people that spring is also bat eviction season in the province.
Read more:
- More bat encounters raise rabies concerns in Saskatoon
- Environment ministry offers tips on dealing with bats, as encounters increase
- Health officials warn more people are being bitten by bats across Sask.
Because bats protect the environment and support the economy by eating pests that can damage crops, forests, parks and gardens, Saskatchewan Environment Minister Darlene Rowden said there are some rules around when bats can be safely removed from a home.
With bats often using buildings for shelter, the minister said one-way exits installed at the right time of year can help bats vacate buildings on their own without any risk to their young, while minimizing the impact on homeowners. May and September, the province noted in a news release, are the best times of year for property owners to install those exits.
Bats are often difficult to find inside buildings, the ministry said, but one-way exits allow them to leave on their own, reducing overall costs to building owners.
“In May, bats can exit the roost and find new homes before their flightless babies are born, ensuring that bats aren’t trapped inside,” the ministry explained.
To get rid of bats, a bat eviction permit is required in Saskatchewan. Those permits can be obtained, free of charge, through the ministry. Anyone interested in obtaining a permit can contact the ministry’s inquiry centre.
“Building owners are responsible for all costs associated with eviction efforts. Regular maintenance helps prevent wildlife from initially accessing buildings,” the government noted.
Bat numbers across North America are declining due to factors like shrinking insect populations, wind turbine collisions, loss of habitats and white-nose syndrome, the ministry added.
Home maintenance, landscaping and farming practices can help benefit bats, including the maintenance of healthy wetlands and native vegetation, reducing or better targeting pesticide use and installing bat houses to be safe roosting sites, the province suggested in the release.
More information from the province on bats, bat eviction details and bat-proofing homes can be found online through the Ministry of Environment.
