<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".20" citation="COMAR 08.03.15.20" title_num="08" subtitle_num="03" chapter_num="15" heading="Operations and Procedure — Bats.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>A wildlife damage control operator shall remove bats only by nonlethal methods, except when a State or local public health department requires lethal removal.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>A wildlife damage control operator may capture and release individual bats that enter a dwelling or office outside near the building.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Bat colonies containing more than 10 adults, whether or not young are present, require prior approval from the Service to be excluded from buildings from March 1 to August 31.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Bat colonies containing 10 or fewer adults do not require prior approval from the Service for exclusion at any time of the year.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Exclusion of a bat colony and sealing of active entrances into the building shall take place before hibernation.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>A wildlife damage control operator may install and leave in place exclusion devices for hibernating bats until the colony emerges in the spring.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="G.">
    <text>A wildlife damage control operator may seal bat entrances after the bat colony is excluded from the building.</text>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>