Full Breakdown
Florida Therapist Relocates After Bat Overrun During Protected Maternity Season
6/19/2026, 11:29:16 AM
Bat Overrun in a Counseling Office
Licensed mental health counselor Shantala Boss found over 50 bats in her Seminole County office on Tuesday, including in the toilet, sink and shoes. She moved the practice across the street and posted a sign for clients.
Maternity Season Protections for Bats
Florida’s bat maternity season runs April 16–August 14, during which state law bans harming, harassing, capturing or relocating bats. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission states, “attempts to harm or harass bats with lights, sounds, or toxic substances are not allowed. The capture and relocation of bats is also prohibited and ineffective.” The state is home to 13 bat species. All 13 Florida bat species are protected during the maternity season.
Official Response & Mitigation
Boss’s landlord hired a wildlife specialist to install cone devices on the roof, guiding bats out and blocking re-entry. After installation, the original office was cleared and declared bat-free, and Boss was moved to a new office across the street, preserving client services. The episode shows how wildlife laws can disrupt small-business operations, prompting tenants to rely on landlords or experts.
Therapist’s Firsthand Account
Boss said the infestation was significant, with bats in the toilet, sink, shoes and other areas, and praised the landlord’s actions for ensuring no clients were exposed to the animals.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I stopped counting around 50 bats. They were in the toilet, they were in the sink. I have little ballet flats I keep in my office; they were in my shoes. They were everywhere,” — Shantala Boss, Licensed Mental Health Therapist
- “Our hands are kind of tied as far as the bats go, but they (the landlord) did relocate me and made sure no clients were in there with any bats, so that was a good thing,” — Shantala Boss
- “We did have someone come in and put cones in the roof — so the cones help the bats leave the roof, but they can't come back in, because we're trying to get them out,” — Shantala Boss
- “attempts to harm or harass bats with lights, sounds, or toxic substances are not allowed. The capture and relocation of bats is also prohibited and ineffective.” — Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
What’s Next
The landlord will monitor the roof for bat activity through the remainder of the maternity season. Local businesses are being advised to consult wildlife experts before the next season begins to reduce similar disruptions.
