It’s that time of year.
You’ve made the climb to your attic to grab the Christmas tree and all of the decorations that go with it.
Suddenly, you find yourself staring at a bat that has apparently made your attic its new home.
Forget the decorations. Now, you have to think about your options for getting rid of the unwanted guest in your home.
You could try to kill it, but is it legal?
Is it legal to kill bats in Iowa?
No. But also, yes.
Iowa law specifically states that wild bats are a protected nongame species. Wild bats are a part of a list of animals protected by state law. That list also includes the dead bodies, parts of dead bodies, and products made from the bodies of these animals.
However, if the bat is found inside your home, it is not considered a protected nongame species unless it’s an Indiana bat.
So, in this situation, killing a bat in a building with people inside is actually legal.
When do bats hibernate?
Bats typically hibernate in the winter, according to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Bats thrive on eating insects to keep their energy levels high.
When it gets cold and insects are few and far between, bats will choose to hibernate until the weather gets warmer.
When it comes to where bats hibernate, Iowa State University noted that some bats are usually found sheltering in attics and barns, while others are found in caves and abandoned mine shafts.
When did bats become a protected species in Iowa?
It appears that bats became a protected species in Iowa more than 30 years ago.
House File 2080 was approved by Iowa legislators in April 1992.
Some bats are also considered an endangered species at the federal level, according to the Federal Endangered Species Act enacted in 1973.
How to get rid of bats in your home
If you have to touch a bat, officials suggest wearing gloves to protect your hands.
In some cases, it could be a younger bat that accidentally flew into your home. If doors or windows are open, the bat may leave on their own. However, if that doesn’t work, Iowa DNR suggests waiting until the bat lands on a wall and covering it with a small box or container.
To keep the bat inside the container, you’ll need a top or a piece of cardboard to slide underneath. When night falls, release the bat outside.
If this is something you’re uncomfortable with, call an exterminator or pest control.
Emery Glover is an audience engagement specialist for the Des Moines Register. Reach him at eglover@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Can you kill bats in Iowa? What the state laws says when you find one in your house.
Reporting by Emery Glover, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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