Bat Removal Garland, TX

Garland's reporting rules

Garland Animal Services lists bats among the high-risk animals for rabies and takes bite reports at 972-205-3570, option 1. Section 22.07(E) of the city code puts the reporting duty on both the animal's owner and the person who was bitten. In practice, if a bat bites or scratches you in Garland, you're required to report it yourself. Don't assume a doctor or neighbor will do it for you.

Garland is mostly in Dallas County, where Dallas County Health and Human Services is the DSHS disease-reporting contact (rabies exposure line (214) 819-2004). DSHS guidance treats a bat found near a sleeping person or a young child as a possible exposure, so contain the bat if you can do it safely instead of letting it go.

Why Garland homes get bats

About 55% of Garland's housing was built before 1980, and the median year built is 1978. Only about 10% was built in 2010 or later. About 63% are detached houses. On ranch houses and two-story homes from that period, we usually find:

• Gable and soffit vents with screens that have torn or rusted out.
• Fascia boards that have shrunk or pulled away from the roof deck, leaving long, narrow gaps.
• Gaps where later additions or patio covers were tied into the original roof.
• Chimney chases where flashing has lifted.

Bats need very little room. The City of Dallas, next door, advises sealing anything larger than a dime. Many of these gaps can be found from the ground at dusk, when bats leave.

Species and season

Garland's building bats are the North Texas mix described in Texas Tech's Mammals of Texas. Brazilian free-tailed bats are the most common, big brown bats form maternity colonies of about 20 to 300 with young born from May into August, and evening bats give birth from late May to mid-June. TPWD discourages exclusion from May 1 to August 15. Using the Dallas Love Field normals, Garland's average lows stay at 50°F or warmer from April through October, so mid-August through October is the main window, and early spring is the second.

Garland housing and climate snapshot (Dallas Love Field climate)

• Housing units: 86,420 (median year built 1978)
• Built before 1980: 55%; built 2010 or later: 10%
• Single-family detached: 63%; buildings with 10+ units: 24%
• Renter-occupied homes: 42%
• Average January low: 38°F; average August high: 97°F
• Months with an average low of 50°F or warmer: Apr–Oct

Housing figures: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year estimates (tables B25024, B25034, B25035, B25003) via Census Reporter. Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Dallas Faa Ap station.

Common questions

Nearby city guides

• Dallas
• Richardson
• Rowlett
• Mesquite
• Sachse

Sources

1. Garland Animal Services: animal bites
2. Texas DSHS: Dallas County disease reporting contacts
3. Dallas Animal Services (BeDallas90): bat-proofing guidance
4. Mammals of Texas (TTU NSRL): Brazilian free-tailed bat
5. Mammals of Texas (TTU NSRL): big brown bat
6. Mammals of Texas (TTU NSRL): evening bat
7. TPWD Outdoor Annual: nongame and other species (bats)
8. Texas DSHS: bat exposure scenarios and capture tips
9. Census Reporter: Garland ACS 2024 profile
10. NOAA NCEI 1991–2020 monthly normals (Dallas Faa Ap)