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Bats invading New York homes to kick off maternity season
New York Post • • health
Key Points:
- New York’s Capital Region and Hudson Valley are experiencing a surge in bats entering homes this summer, with a 15% increase in bat-related pest control calls reported by Thomas Pest Services in Albany.
- The rise in bat sightings coincides with mid-June maternity season, when female bats seek warm, dark places to raise their pups and can enter homes through tiny openings.
- Despite increased reports, experts say the actual bat population may not be growing, attributing the rise to heightened public awareness and concerns about rabies, although the risk of rabies from bats remains low.
- Wildlife officials advise homeowners to seal entry points and secure vents and chimneys to prevent bats from entering, and to contact health or animal control authorities if a bat is found inside or if there is potential contact with a bat.
- White-nose syndrome, a fungal disease devastating bat populations, is causing bats to seek year-round shelter in homes, adding to the challenges of managing bat encounters.
