Bat Influx Being Seen at Several La Grange Spots

Quite a few bats have taken up residence in multiple buildings around La Grange in the past week.

La Grange Animal Control Officer Leslie Yezak said she’s responded to two calls recently about bats. About a dozen bats moved into a business at the corner of Travis and Jefferson in La Grange, Yezak said. A few others had been seen inside the Performing Arts Center at La Grange ISD. Yezak said she heard reports of bats in other places around town as well.

“I’m not sure if it’s the warmer weather or the recent drought, but I’ve been seeing more of them,” Yezak said.

“If you see them in a building or home and there’s one or two of them, I can respond and come get them,” Yezak said. “But if you have large numbers, I recommend calling an exterminator or a professional to remove them.”

That’s what La Grange ISD did. Sharon Muzny, Director of Operations for LGISD, reported that the school hired a professional to remove the colony that had moved into the Performing Arts Center.

Yezak warned folks to never touch an injured or dead bat.

“Call me and I’ll come get them,” she said.

Bats can carry the rabies virus, she said. The nearby City of Smithville issued a public health notice on March 5 after a rabid bat was found there. The dead bat was discovered at the intersection of 2nd St. and Main St. in Smithville on Feb. 27. The bat was submitted to the health depart- ment and tested positive for rabies.

If you encounter any dead or injured bats, contact La Grange Animal Control at (979) 249-6283.

Bats are nocturnal. They sleep in dark places during the day and fly around at night to feed. Bats can be migratory. So if you find a colony of bats (also known as a “cauldron” of bats), they may eventually leave on their own. But they’re also creatures of habit and could return year after year without some way of excluding them.