The public health unit representing Northumberland County and beyond is noticing a worrying increase in the number of calls it’s receiving about bats roosting inside homes.
Colder weather is coming and bats are looking for warmth and shelter.
Health unit spokesman Richard Ovcharovich says bats are a nuisance and a health hazard and are known to spread rabies.
“It’s best to inspect your attic, rafters, and other areas of your home for signs of bats. If you find or suspect bats are living there do not touch them.
Instead call a professional pest control company or a wildlife removal company for advice and assistance.”
When it comes to bats, the Health Unit offers these tips:
- If you have been bitten or scratched by a bat, seek immediate medical attention. You should also contact the Health Unit at 1-866-888-4577, ext. 5006.
- If you discover a bat outdoors that is injured, acting strange or dead, do not touch it.
- As bats can transmit the rabies virus to dogs and cats, ensure your pet’s rabies vaccination is up to date.
- Bat-proof your home, something especially important to do before the cold weather months when bats try to seek out warmer, indoor shelter. Seek advice from an animal control or wildlife conservation authority about what’s best. If doing it yourself, carefully examine your home for holes that might allow bats entry into your living quarters, then take steps to seal them. For instance, caulk any openings larger than a quarter-inch by a half-inch, ensure all doors to the outside close tightly, and use window screens, chimney caps, and draft-guards beneath doors to attics. Be aware that some species of bats can fit through openings as small as 16 millimetres.
