Bat Maternity Season: Why May 15 to September 1 Matters for Bat Removal in Northern California
If you’ve discovered bats in your attic, walls, or roofline, you may be wondering, “Can I get them removed right now?” The answer depends on the time of year—and specifically, whether it’s bat maternity season.
At Gold Country Wildlife Control, we follow recommended guidelines to protect both homeowners and bats. One of the most important rules in humane bat removal is respecting maternity season, which in Truckee and Tahoe runs from May 15 through September 1. At different elevations, this may vary slightly.
What Is Bat Maternity Season?
Maternity season is the time of year when female bats give birth and raise their pups. During this period, bats gather in colonies—often in attics, roof voids, eaves, or wall cavities—to form warm, protected nursery spaces. These areas offer just the right conditions for newborn bats to grow until they are able to fly.
The problem: Baby bats (called pups) are born hairless and flightless, usually in June. They can’t survive without their mothers, and they cannot exit through a one-way door system until they’re old enough to fly—usually in late August.
Why Bat Removal Must Wait
California Department of Fish and Wildlife and most ethical bat exclusion professionals do not install one-way doors during maternity season. If a one-way door is installed too early, the mother bats may leave and be locked out, leaving pups trapped inside to die. This is not only inhumane—it can also cause strong odors, insect infestations, and even legal issues if protected species are harmed.
At Gold Country Wildlife Control, we perform inspections year-round but delay exclusion work until after September 1 if we detect an active maternity colony.
What You Can Do in the Meantime
Even if you discover bats during maternity season, there are still steps you can take:
Schedule an inspection early. We can confirm the species, locate the entry points, and make a removal plan now, so you’re first in line for exclusion work in September.
Begin sealing other parts of the home. While we wait for the pups to mature, we can begin sealing other gaps or vulnerabilities not being used by bats yet.
Learn about your options. We’ll walk you through our humane exclusion process and discuss any attic restoration or cleanup needs.
What Happens After Maternity Season Ends?
Once pups are flying on their own—usually in late August—we can safely begin exclusion. This involves installing one-way bat valves at entry points, allowing all bats to exit but not return. After a few nights, we remove the valves and seal the structure permanently using screen, metal, and sealant.
This method is the only approved and effective way to get rid of bats humanely.
Bats Avoid Light—So You Might Not See Them Clearly
Bats tend to tuck themselves deep into tight corners, rafters, and crevices, far from light and movement. Just because you don’t see dozens of bats flying out doesn’t mean you don’t have a colony. Maternity colonies can be surprisingly quiet—until they start leaving guano stains or odors behind.
Plan Ahead for Fall Bat Exclusion
If you live in Nevada County, Placer County, El Dorado County, Grass Valley, Nevada City, Truckee, or South Lake Tahoe, now is the time to start planning. Once bat maternity season ends, bat removal companies get extremely busy. Booking your inspection early ensures you get on the schedule before fall weather and snow make roof access harder.
Need Bat Removal in Northern California?
Contact Gold Country Wildlife Control today to schedule a bat inspection or get on the waitlist for post-maternity exclusion work. We specialize in safe, humane, and long-term solutions, using proven methods and expert craftsmanship to protect your home.
