Lincoln Animal Control is warning residents to watch for bats entering homes as temperatures begin to cool at night.
Denise Bolwitt, animal control manager, said bats are looking for places to escape the cooler temperatures and can squeeze through openings as small as a dime. Residents should look for signs such as bat droppings or hear bats chattering, and check potential entry points around dryer vents and chimneys.
Bolwitt said residents should be particularly cautious around dusk, when bats may enter through open doors or garages. She said an open garage can appear to be a large shelter for bats, which can then make their way into a home when a door is opened.
Anyone who finds a single bat inside their home can call Lincoln Animal Control at 402-441-7900. Bolwitt said the number is available from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., and after-hours calls are transferred to the communication center so an on-call officer can respond.
Bolwitt is also urging residents to keep pets current on their rabies vaccinations. She said Animal Control has recorded two bats testing positive for rabies this year and noted that the disease can spread through bites or scratches from infected animals.
So far this year, Animal Control has received 694 calls involving bats and tested 255 of them. Two tested positive for rabies, which Bolwitt said is less than 1% of the bats tested. She said residents should still take steps to keep bats out of their homes while recognizing their ecological importance.