Big Brown Bat
Eptesicus fuscus
One of Idaho's most common building-dwelling bats. Regularly found in attics, soffits, and outbuildings statewide.
Bat Species in Idaho
Idaho is home to 14 documented bat species. Below is a quick visual reference. If you have bats roosting in your home, attic, soffit, or outbuilding, Idaho Wildlife Specialists handles humane removal and exclusion across all of Idaho.
Little Brown Bat
Myotis lucifugus
Idaho's other most common building bat. Forms large maternity colonies in attics. Highly adaptable to human structures.
Hoary Bat
Lasiurus cinereus
Solitary and migratory. Roosts in tree foliage. Idaho's largest bat. Rarely found in buildings.
Silver-haired Bat
Lasionycteris noctivagans
Tree-roosting and migratory. Occasionally enters buildings during migration through Idaho.
Pallid Bat
Antrozous pallidus
Found in drier southern Idaho. Roosts in rock crevices, caves, and buildings. Pale coloring is distinctive.
Townsend's Big-eared Bat
Corynorhinus townsendii
Long ears are immediately recognizable. Cave and mine dependent. A species of concern in Idaho.
Western Small-footed Myotis
Myotis ciliolabrum
Idaho's smallest myotis. Found in canyon country. Roosts in rock crevices and occasionally in buildings.
Long-legged Myotis
Myotis volans
Common in Idaho's forested mountain regions. Roosts under bark, in snags, and in buildings near timber.
Long-eared Myotis
Myotis evotis
Distinctive long ears relative to body size. Forest-dependent. Roosts in rock crevices and buildings.
California Myotis
Myotis californicus
Small western myotis widespread across Idaho. Roosts in tree cavities, rock crevices, and buildings.
Yuma Myotis
Myotis yumanensis
Associated with water sources throughout Idaho. Common in buildings and under bridges near rivers and lakes.
Fringed Myotis
Myotis thysanodes
Distinctive fringe of stiff hairs on the tail membrane. Roosts in caves, mines, and buildings across Idaho.
Brazilian Free-tailed Bat
Tadarida brasiliensis
Also called the Mexican free-tailed bat. Reaches southern Idaho in summer. Tail extends past the tail membrane.
Canyon Bat
Parastrellus hesperus
North America's smallest bat. Found in canyon country and rocky outcrops in southern Idaho.
All Idaho Bat Species Are Protected
Native Idaho bat species are protected under Idaho Fish and Game regulations. Several species also receive federal protections. The only legal way to remove bats from a building is humane exclusion, performed outside of maternity season when flightless pups could be present. Idaho Wildlife Specialists follows Idaho Fish and Game guidance on every job.