It’s a sign summer is coming to an end when Iowa’s outdoor wildlife tries to get indoors. Mark Langan, a spokesman for the Humane Society, says this is the time of year when unwelcome visitors make their way into our homes.
“When it starts cooling off at night, we notice a big increase in bats finding their way into houses, especially in older neighborhoods,” Langan says. “We’re seeing a big increase in calls to the Humane Society about bats in houses.” Langan says if a bat gets into your home, do not try to capture it yourself.
“If you see a bat in the house, separate yourself from the bat,” he says. “Try to confine it to the room that it’s in. Put towels under the door so the bat can’t get out and give us a call.” Langan says bats can be helpful but harmful at the same time.
“Bats really do serve a purpose; they get rid of a lot of insects however they do pose a danger because they are rabies carriers,” he says.
“We really ask that if you see a bat in your house, get away from it right away. Confine it. Give us a call.” He says they’ve already gotten more than a hundred calls in recent days in the Omaha/Council Bluffs area for bats in homes.
Of all the bats captured of late, only two have tested positive for rabies.