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The Government of Saskatchewan is advising homeowners to take steps to prevent bats from moving in over the cold winter months.
Cooler fall and winter nights will lead to animals like bats, squirrels and pigeons to seek warm shelter in protected spaces.
“Taking steps to prevent bats and wildlife from entering buildings now can help property owners avoid dealing with unwanted house guests after they have already moved in,” the province said in a news release.
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Environment Minister Darlene Rowden said bats are an important part of the ecosystem in Saskatchewan, helping to protect crops, forests, parks and gardens by feeding on insects.
“When bats take shelter in buildings, it is important that property owners understand how and when they can be safely removed,” she said. “September gives property owners an opportunity to safely encourage bats to move along to a new home before winter sets in.”
One-way exit installation is ideal in months like May and September. These exits provide the option for bats to leave on their own, which is helpful because the animals can be hard to locate within a building.
“This approach works with the natural behaviour and biology of bats while helping reduce risks and costs for building owners,” the province noted, adding that one-way exits installed in the fall can help bats leave a roost to find another location before hibernating through the winter months.
“Eviction at the wrong time of year can separate mothers from young bats that cannot yet fly.”
A permit is required for property owners hoping to evict a bat from their home. The free permit can be obtained from the Ministry of Environment by contacting the public inquiry centre.
The province said that building owners are responsible for the costs of evicting bats from their properties and strongly encouraged working with a wildlife control operator who is knowledgable with bat evictions. These professionals often already have the permit required to evict bats, the province noted.
Bats are protected wildife, the province cautioned, reminding residents that it is illegal to kill bats.
“Bat eviction must be done safely and humanely. Bat populations across North America face many threats such as shrinking insect populations, collisions with wind turbines, habitat loss and a disease known as white-nose syndrome,” the province stated.
To help support healthy ecosystems in Saskatchewan, residents can maintain healthy wetlands and native vegetation, reduce or use pesticides in a more targeted way, and install bat houses for safe roosting sites when bat roosts are destroyed.
The province said more information about bats, evictions, permits and home improvements related to bats can be found online or by contacting the Ministry of Environment’s inquiry centre.
