Bat calls rising in Allegheny County as summer brings increased activity

There has been an increase in calls for bats over the past couple of months, according to the Allegheny County Health Department. July and August are seeing triple the number of calls from June.

So far this month, the Allegheny County Health Department estimates it has had 17 bat-related calls. Last month, it was 19. Those were both up from June when it was only six. 

Wildlife removal crews said the calls are constant. It's the time of year when the pups born in the spring start to fly.

"Even today, we had five inspections; they were all bats," said Bryan Fichter of Critter Control of PGH NW.

Bat exposures go beyond just bites. The health department said it includes bats flying around a room with someone with cognitive impairments or unattended children, or while someone is sleeping. 

In that case, call the health department. It takes only small gaps for bats to get in.

"They flatten their body, and they crawl in. So, yeah, you don't need a big opening at all," retired Pennsylvania Game Commission warden Gary Fujak said.

It's always best to call an expert if you want to remove them. They are a protected animal, and you don't need to make matters worse and get bitten.

"If you have a bat inside the house and you can't get in touch with anybody you know, a heavy towel or something, try to get it onto the floor, and just, you know, take it outside with a heavy towel if you desperately need it out of your house," Fichter said.

At the end of the day, bats are our friends. Maybe just not the best roommates.

"They're helping us out a lot, especially all the mosquitoes that they gobble up every evening," Fujak said.

Wildlife removal crews say they have had calls for bats in homes all over the region. There is not one specific area they flock to.