Bat Maternity Season
Bat Maternity Season Starts May 15 In Northern California— What It Means for Homeowners
Starting May 15 through September 1, California enters what’s known as bat maternity season — a period where wildlife control laws limit what can legally and ethically be done to remove bats from homes and structures. Dates may vary depending where you are and may run from June to September 15th. Lower elevations like Grass Valley and Nevada City can have different seasons than Tahoe City or Truckee.
At Gold Country Wildlife Control, we want our customers to understand what this blackout means, why it exists, and why now is still the best time to schedule an inspection and get on our calendar.
What Is the Maternity Season Blackout?
During the summer months, bats give birth and raise their pups inside attics, eaves, vents, and walls. These pups are not capable of flight for the first several weeks of life, which means any attempt to remove adult bats can result in orphaned young trapped inside.
By law and ethical standards, we are not permitted to install exclusion devices like one-way doors, tubes, or cones during this time if a maternity colony is present. One-way doors allow bats to exit a structure but not return. If installed during maternity season, these devices will separate mothers from their pups.
This results in a dual problem:
The young bats die inside the walls or attic, leading to odor, maggots, and staining.
It kills off a generation of beneficial wildlife, which is illegal and causes serious ecological harm.
This is why bat exclusions are restricted during this period — and why no responsible wildlife control company will evict bats during maternity season.
What We Can Do Right Now
While we cannot remove bats from an active maternity site between May 15 and September 1, that doesn't mean you should wait to call us.
1. Inspection and Planning
We’re still performing full inspections during the blackout. We check rooflines, attic vents, construction gaps, siding returns, and all potential entry points. Our technicians provide detailed photo documentation and a plan of action so you're ready when the blackout ends.
2. Preventative Sealing
If we inspect your home and find areas that do not currently have bats, we can often seal those entry points now. This helps prevent future colonies from forming. We can also begin exclusion planning for other species not affected by the blackout, such as rodents or birds.
3. Priority Scheduling for Exclusion
By getting your inspection done now, you'll be first in line when the season ends. Once September 1 arrives, we move quickly to install one-way doors and perform full exclusions — and the demand is high. Customers who wait until fall often find themselves weeks out on the schedule.
Why This Matters
Ignoring the blackout can do real harm. Unfortunately, we’ve been called to clean up jobs where someone tried to "DIY" an exclusion during maternity season, trapping pups inside walls or attics. The result is a severe odor problem, insect infestations, and in some cases, costly damage to insulation and drywall. Lower elevations near Penn Valley and toward Auburn can have larger colonies of Mexican Free Tailed and Pallid bats that can really cause issues
Doing it right means doing it humanely, legally, and with a long-term plan in mind. That’s where we come in.
Get Ahead — Book Your Inspection Today
At Gold Country Wildlife Control, we’ve been protecting homes in Nevada County, El Dorado County, Placer County, and the Tahoe region since 2014. We know how to work within the laws, protect the wildlife, and safeguard your home.
Don’t wait for the rush in September — contact us now for an inspection. Let’s make sure your home is ready and you're at the front of the line for exclusion when the time comes.
Call Today to Book Your Maternity Season Inspection
Gold Country Wildlife Control
Serving Grass Valley, Nevada City, Truckee, South Lake Tahoe, and surrounding areas
