PHOENIX — There's one animal that's often misunderstood but plays a crucial role in our ecosystem. They're usually small, fast, and are only seen at night trying to catch a bite to eat.
"This area provides perfect resources for bats," said Angie McIntire, the Statewide Bat Specialist with the Arizona Game and Fish Department. "Arizona has 28 different species of bats."
These nocturnal mammals stay busy at night but roost in different areas like caves, trees and in some cases, your home.
"The bats' home, the place where they spend the day is generally described as a roost," McIntire said. "Sometimes bats find their way into a home through an open window or open door. If bats are inside the living quarters of a home, you can get rid of those bats anytime."
That is, until now.
"Because bats are giving birth to their young starting around May and throughout the summer, we ask evictions and exclusions not take place during that time because the young can't fly for several weeks after being born," she said. "So we don't want young to be trapped inside and die if the adults are removed."
The problem can be a difficult one, and timing is important. Which is why it's important it's taken care of now.
"Any bats that will be roosting in the summertime generally show up in March and April and that's an acceptable time to kick those bats out," McIntire said.
McIntire says bats are protected, though people have been prosecuted before for shooting the mammal. If there is a bat or bats on your property it's important to call a professional.
"They are protected," McIntire said. "they are very slow to reproduce, bats only give birth to one young per year, so we want to encourage people to do the right thing and to not harm them."
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