Free Bat Night In Nine Mile Canyon Lets You Watch Biologists Work Up Close
Utahns who have ever wondered about the state's mysterious nighttime fliers will have an opportunity to learn more during a Utah Division of Wildlife Resources bat viewing event on Friday, Aug. 7, in Nine Mile Canyon near Wellington. While the free event will give participants a chance to watch biologists safely capture, study and release bats, wildlife officials say late summer is also a good time to remind homeowners what to do if bats find their way into a house.
The viewing event will run from 8 to 11 p.m. at Christensen Ranch/Cottonwood Glen on Nine Mile Road. Visitors will be able to observe the bat netting process and see the animals up close before they are released back into the wild. Participants will be required to wear an N95 mask when near the bats to help protect the animals, and advance registration is encouraged because attendance is limited.
Bats More Likely To Be Seen In Summer, Not Halloween
Wildlife officials note that homeowners are more likely to encounter bats during the summer months as young bats, known as pups, begin learning to fly. If a bat enters the living area of a home, residents should never attempt to handle it with bare hands because bats can carry rabies. Instead, experts recommend opening a window or door, turning off indoor lights and turning on an outside light to encourage the bat to leave on its own.
If the bat does not fly out, it can be carefully captured while wearing heavy leather gloves by placing a small box or can over it, sliding a piece of cardboard underneath, and then releasing the bat outdoors on a tree or another elevated surface. Anyone who has physical contact with a bat should contact their local health department for guidance.
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If bats are roosting in an attic, patience is often required. During the summer, many colonies consist of mothers raising flightless young. Because bats are protected wildlife, sealing entrances or removing colonies before the pups can fly can harm the animals and may even force adult bats into the home's living spaces. Wildlife officials recommend contacting a permitted wildlife nuisance control company if a colony is suspected.
Homeowners can reduce the chances of future bat problems by inspecting homes for openings around roofs, chimneys and siding and sealing those gaps in the fall after young bats are able to fly. Cooling attics with fans and installing one-way exclusion netting after August can also help prevent bats from returning without harming them.
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Gallery Credit: MEGAN TULEY