Dear Texas Farmers & Ranchers,

Texas bats provide farmers and ranchers over 1-billion dollars in pest control annually through control of the corn-borer and armyworm moths, but they desperately need your help.

The Mexican free-tail, the Official Flying Mammal of Texas, is our most common species. They consume staggering numbers of insects nightly, primarily agricultural pests. The free-tailed bats of Central Texas alone consume close to 250 tons of insects on an average summer night. Nevertheless, these bats are in alarming decline. For example, a population decline in Eagle Creek Cave was documented from over 25 million in 1963 to just 30,000 six years later. Human disturbance and vandalism, especially during maternity season, is likely the single most serious causes of this decline. Grossly exaggerated media stories about rabies have led to the intentional destruction of large colonies. Sadly, Texas, boasting the most farms and ranches in the entire US, is one of only 7 states that offers no protection for bats during maternity season. Because of this, entire nursery colonies are often destroyed when they roost in buildings. The less bats we have, the more damage we incur to our Texas crops. We realize that humans should not share their living or work space with wildlife, but there are humane, safe and effective means to remove bats from buildings that do not involve killing. That is where we need your help. Our proposed draft of a critical new Bill to offer better protection for our Texas bats is below. If you agree that this bill needs to be passed, please send an email with permission to use your name in support of this bill. Send to [email protected]. That is all we are asking from you – nothing more at all.

P.S. Links to the scientific articles cited in the video can also be found below.

89R9357 MP-F
 
 By: EckhardtS.B. No. 1285
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
 relating to the protection of bats.
        BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
        SECTION 1.  Section 63.101, Parks and Wildlife Code, is
 amended to read as follows:
        Sec. 63.101.  PROTECTION OF BATS.  (a)  Except as provided by
 Subsections (b), (b-1), and (c), a [no] person may not:
              (1)  confine or hunt a bat; or
              (2)  sell, offer for sale, purchase, offer to purchase,
 or possess after purchase a bat or any part of a bat, dead or alive.
        (b)  Subject to Subsection (b-1), a [A] bat may be removed or
 hunted if the bat is inside or on a building occupied by people.
        (b-1)  A bat or bat colony using a building or structure as a
 roost site may be controlled only by a nonlethal exclusion method
 that allows bats to leave but not reenter the building or structure.  
 The exclusion method described by this subsection may not be
 implemented during the period each year beginning May 1 and ending
 August 31.
        (c)  This section does not apply to:
              (1)  an animal control officer, a peace officer, a
 licensed pest control professional, or a health official who
 captures a bat that the officer, professional, or official
 considers injured or diseased; or
              (2)  a person who transports a bat for the purpose of:
                    (A)  laboratory testing if the bat has exposed or
 potentially exposed humans or domestic animals to rabies; or
                    (B)  rehabilitation at a registered
 rehabilitation facility if the bat has had no known prior exposure
 with humans
              [(3)  a person who is licensed to provide pest control
 services].
        SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.

CURRENT SUPPORTERS:

  • Texas International Produce Association, McAllen
  • Allstar Peanuts, Wellman
  • Bush-Emeny Properties, Amarillo
  • Blanco Creek Farms, San Antonio
  • Southland Ranch, Nordheim
  • Coyle Farm, Garland
  • Red Moon Farm, Van
  • Ted Posey Farm, Rotan
  • Engel Farms, Beasley
  • Texas Master Naturalist, Bois d’ Arc Chapter
  • Valverde Vegetable