Crime & Safety

Animal Control: Late Summer Sees Bat Influx

A high number of calls to Animal Control report bats, a common critter to visit your house uninvited this time of year.

 

According to New Canaan Animal Control Officer & Park Ranger Maryann Kleinschmitt, mid to late summer is the season for female bats to start giving birth to their baby bats, a time during which the male bat is kicked out of the nest. 

The influx in ousted male bats flying around town means Kleinschmitt has received five calls through August reporting bats in a home.

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The male bats fly about looking for a nesting place in roofs and other nooks around a house and, if a bat is found flying around a house in which there are humans residing, Kleinschmitt says Animal Control must test in for rabies.

Residents are encouraged to contact wildlife nuisance operations (can be found under "Pet" in the White Pages) if a bat is found inside their home and Animal Control at the police station will then test the bat for rabies. 

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"In my nineteen years on the job, only two bats we've tested for rabies have come back positive. One was in New Canaan and one was in Redding," said Kleinschmitt.

According to Kleinschmitt, bats are still dangerous even if they don't come into direct physical contact with a human as they can transfer rabies without biting. 

"They transfer it through the saliva. If the bat is flying around and saliva drips from its mouth onto a counter and someone puts down their hand and then touches their mouth, nose or eyes or has an cut, it can get in," said Kleinschmitt. 

Kleinschmitt cited the 1995 case of a 13-year-old Greenwich girl who had not come into any known or apparent contact with a bat, but had been infected with bat rabies and died just two weeks after showing symptoms. 

While the increase in bats is typical, Kleinschmitt still advises residents be cautious where wildlife is concerned. 

For more information, Officer Kleinschmitt can be reached at  (203) 594-3510


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