Dominion St. bats must leave on their own
By GILLIAN SLADE on August 17, 2019.
gslade@medicinehatnews.com
Bylaw enforcement says the owners of a bat-infested house on Dominion Street have until the middle of next week to comply with a bylaw order.
They have additional time to address the bat issue.
“As for the bats, it has been recommended by our local biologist that the only way to deal with the bats is to wait until they leave when the weather changes to colder temperatures. This happens every year close to November,” said bylaw Supt. Heather Trail.
After the bats have all left, the property owner will determine what cleanup is needed inside the house, said Trail. They will also have to ensure there is no way the bats can return to the inside of the house.
Gene Corcoran, owner of On Guard Pest Control in Medicine Hat, told the News last month that bats are federally protected and are an endangered species.
In the middle of July the city served the property owners of the vacant house on Dominion Street with an order to address the issue of a bat infestation and more.
The Unsightly Property Order under Section 546 (1) of the Municipal Government Act instructs the property owners to take reasonable measures to control the pest infestation, specifically bats “as they are becoming detrimental to surrounding areas and a danger to public safety.” The order also requires weed control and the removal of dead trees plus an inoperable and unregistered vehicle in addition to garbage.
Trail says she observed earlier this week that the tire on the vehicle was still flat but the property owners do have until Aug.21 to comply.
Even when the bats have left of their own accord as the weather gets colder, they are likely to return in the spring. Trail says the local biologist will also be advising on what to do next spring.
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