Yes, bats are protected in Georgia. Every bat species in the state is protected as nongame wildlife under O.C.G.A. § 27-1-28, and three species — the Indiana bat, the gray bat, and the northern long-eared bat — carry additional federal protection as endangered species. That means you cannot legally kill bats, poison them, or trap them, and even non-lethal removal is restricted to certain months of the year unless a licensed professional does the work.
The State Law That Covers Every Bat
Georgia’s nongame wildlife statute, O.C.G.A. § 27-1-28, makes it unlawful to hunt, trap, take, possess, or transport any nongame wildlife species except for a specific list of 14 animals that includes rats, mice, coyotes, armadillos, and groundhogs. Bats are not on that exception list, so every bat species in Georgia receives baseline legal protection by default.1Justia. Georgia Code 27-1-28 – Taking of Nongame Species
Subsection (c) of the same statute goes further, stating that nothing in the nongame provisions authorizes the taking of any species protected under the federal Endangered Species Act or under Georgia’s own endangered species laws. State protection is the floor, not the ceiling.1Justia. Georgia Code 27-1-28 – Taking of Nongame Species
Which Species Carry Federal Protection
Georgia is home to 16 bat species. Three of them — the Indiana bat, the gray bat, and the northern long-eared bat — are listed as federally endangered and also endangered under Georgia law. The little brown bat and the tri-colored bat are classified as Georgia Species of Concern, a designation that reflects declining populations but carries less formal legal weight than an endangered listing.2Department of Natural Resources Division. Bats of Georgia
The tri-colored bat has been proposed for federal endangered listing, but as of 2026 that rule has not been finalized.3U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Bat Conservation in Georgia
The identification problem matters for homeowners. Most people cannot reliably tell one bat species from another, and treating a colony as if it were an unprotected pest can turn a state violation into a federal one if the animals turn out to be Indiana, gray, or northern long-eared bats.
When You Can Legally Remove Bats
Even though bats are protected, Georgia allows homeowners to exclude them from a structure — but only outside the maternity season. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources prohibits bat exclusions from April 1 through July 31. During that window, pups are too young to fly, and sealing entry points traps flightless young inside the building where they die.4Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Excluding Bats From Your House
The one exception: a licensed Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator can perform exclusion during the restricted months. If bats have to come out between April 1 and July 31, the DNR requires you to hire a professional rather than attempting the work yourself.4Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Excluding Bats From Your House
Outside the maternity window, exclusion methods must still be non-lethal. The standard approach uses one-way exit devices that let bats leave through their usual entry points but keep them from coming back. Once the colony has cleared out, you seal every gap. Poisons, pesticides, and lethal traps are off the table year-round because bats are nongame wildlife and killing them violates § 27-1-28 regardless of the season.1Justia. Georgia Code 27-1-28 – Taking of Nongame Species
Penalties If You Get It Wrong
Under O.C.G.A. § 27-1-38, violating any provision of Georgia’s game and fish laws — including the nongame protections that cover bats — is classified as a misdemeanor. The statute does not set a bat-specific fine schedule; general misdemeanor penalties apply. Georgia’s endangered wildlife provisions in Article 5 of Title 27 also classify violations involving state-listed species as misdemeanors.5Justia. Georgia Code 27-1-38 – Penalty for Violations of Title
Federal exposure is considerably heavier. When the animals involved are Indiana, gray, or northern long-eared bats, the Endangered Species Act allows civil penalties up to $25,000 per violation. Criminal charges for willful violations carry fines up to $50,000 and up to one year in prison.6U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Section 11 – Penalties and Enforcement
If a Bat Is Inside Your Living Space
A single bat flying around a bedroom is a different problem from a colony in the attic. The immediate concern is rabies exposure, not property damage.
Do not handle the bat with bare hands. The Georgia DNR warns that a bat you can approach or pick up is likely sick and may bite.4Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Excluding Bats From Your House
If anyone in the room was sleeping, was a young child, or was otherwise unable to say whether contact occurred, the CDC recommends that a healthcare provider assess the situation and consider post-exposure prophylaxis for rabies. Bat bites can be small enough to go unnoticed, and human rabies cases have been traced to exposures the victim never felt.7Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Assessment of Risk for Exposure to Bats in Sleeping Quarters
If you can contain the bat without touching it — using thick gloves and a hard container — do so, then contact your local county health department or the Georgia Poison Center at 404-616-9000 in Atlanta or 800-282-5846 statewide for guidance on rabies testing. If the bat escapes and someone may have been exposed, a doctor will likely recommend post-exposure prophylaxis as a precaution because the animal can’t be tested.8Georgia Department of Public Health. Rabies
Post-exposure treatment is highly effective when started promptly. Once rabies symptoms appear, the disease is almost always fatal.
Hiring a Licensed Wildlife Professional
Anyone performing nuisance wildlife control commercially in Georgia must hold a Nuisance Wildlife Control Permit issued by the DNR’s Law Enforcement Division. The permit year runs from April 1 through March 31.9Georgia Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division. Nuisance Wildlife Control Individual Application with Study Material Guidance
Verify a company’s license before hiring. The DNR maintains a list of permitted operators on the Law Enforcement Division’s website. If the same company also does structural pest control or targets mice, rats, or insects, it needs a separate authorization from the Georgia Department of Agriculture; a wildlife permit alone does not cover traditional pest control.10Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Preventing Wildlife Conflicts
Cost varies with colony size and building complexity. Quotes can run from a few hundred dollars for a simple residential exclusion to well over $10,000 for large or difficult jobs. Most homeowners insurance policies exclude damage from pest infestations, so the cost typically comes out of pocket.
Cleanup After the Colony Is Gone
Exclusion leaves droppings behind. Bat guano accumulates in attics, wall voids, and crawlspaces, and large deposits can harbor the fungus that causes histoplasmosis, a respiratory infection. The CDC recommends never sweeping or shoveling dry guano, because that sends fungal spores airborne. Instead, dampen the material with water — a surfactant helps — before collecting it in sealed containers. For large accumulations, an industrial vacuum with a high-efficiency filter or a truck-mounted system is safer.11Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Elimination and Engineering Controls – Histoplasmosis
Guano remediation often means removing and replacing contaminated insulation, which drives cost up quickly. This work also falls in the category most homeowners policies treat as pest-related damage and exclude, so budget for it as an out-of-pocket expense.