Ardsley Park residents are grappling with an influx of bats.
Initial reports from WSAV on Monday highlighted a family forced to temporarily vacate their home in response to a bat infestation within the neighborhood.
Now, News 3 has uncovered additional cases of residents contending with similar bat-related issues.
Kate Steadley and her family are contending with substantial medical expenses following their encounter with a bat on Christmas Day 2023. They anticipate costs of approximately $6,000 for rabies shots and emergency room visits.
Meanwhile, Kate’s father, Joel, who resides a few streets away on 55th Street, had his own unnerving encounter when he discovered a bat in his kitchen sink.
“I managed to contain it with a sturdy plastic bag, then placed the bag in a box, sealed it, and then secured the box in another bag to prevent any escape,” Joel recounted.
Joel expressed surprise at finding the bat indoors, as he typically encounters them only during the summer months in the neighborhood. He suspects it gained entry through his back door.
Fortunately, the bat Joel captured tested negative for rabies, sparing him from needing rabies shots.
In response to these incidents, the Coastal Health District issued guidance for individuals who encounter bats:
“If you encounter certain animals potentially carrying rabies, such as raccoons or foxes, you’re likely to know if you’ve been in contact.
However, if you wake up to find a bat inside your home’s living area, it may be difficult to determine if you’ve been bitten.
Bats have small teeth, making it possible to be bitten without noticing. If the bat is still available, we can conduct rabies testing.
If it has flown away, we advise homeowners on post-exposure rabies treatment and recommend following guidance from poison control and their healthcare provider as a precaution.
Given that rabies is 100% fatal in humans, we emphasize caution in any potential encounters.”
The neighborhood’s ongoing bat issues underscore the importance of prompt and careful response to such wildlife encounters to mitigate health risks.
