For industry

For pest control, builders & realtors

Bats often roost in the buildings we live and work in. If you exclude, build, roof, or sell homes, these free guides show how to work around bats safely, legally, and at the right time of year.

  • Bats are protected by law under the BC Wildlife Act.
  • Never exclude bats while flightless pups are present.
  • Not sure? Ask us before you begin work.
Bats roosting in the rafters of a wooden building.

Every guide below is a free, print-ready PDF written for a specific trade. They are built around a simple idea: bats can be encouraged to leave a building without anyone getting hurt, and without breaking the law, if the work is done the right way, at the right time. Find your trade to get started.

The guides below were produced in 2017. If a link is unavailable, get in touch and we’ll send you a current copy.

For pest control professionals

Exclude bats the humane way.

Bats can be moved out of a building without being harmed, and it’s the only lawful way to do it. Our “7 Steps to Excluding Bats from Buildings” sets out the method for pest management professionals.

Start with the overview for a quick reference, or work from the full booklet when you need the detail behind each step. For the wider picture of living with a building roost, see our guidance on managing a colony.

For builders

Build bats out from the start.

A few choices during construction keep bats from moving into a finished building, and knowing what to do when you find them mid-job keeps you on the right side of the law.

For roofers & chimney professionals

Check before you seal.

Roofs, soffits, and chimneys are classic bat roosts. A quick check before the work begins, and the right timing, keeps bats from being sealed in.

For realtors

Got bats in a house for sale?

Bats in a listing are common and manageable. This bulletin helps you give buyers and sellers accurate, calm information, and point them toward the right next step.

Homeowners on either side of the sale can also read our plain-language pages on living with bats and what to do when you’ve got bats.

A bat clinging to the interior wall of a home.
A single bat inside a home, usually easy to resolve. Placeholder photo, to be replaced.
Downloads

Guides & documents.

Everything linked to this page — free to open and share.

Browse the full library →

Working near a roost?

Ask before you start.

Every job is different. If you’re unsure about the law, the timing, or the safest way to handle bats on a site, reach out, we’re glad to help before the work begins.