Bat Removal Mesquite, TX

Mesquite Animal Services rules

Mesquite Animal Services is at 1650 Gross Road, 972-216-6283. The city repeats the State of Texas list of higher-risk rabies animals: bats, coyotes, foxes, raccoons and skunks. Its rules:

• Don't touch a bat or other high-risk animal.
• For dead, injured or sick wildlife, call 972-216-6283 to have the animal picked up.
• If you're bitten or scratched, get medical care, then call Animal Services.
• If your dog or cat has interacted with a bat in any way, call as soon as possible, and don't touch or throw away the bat.
• You don't need to report a sighting unless the animal acts aggressive, looks sick or injured, or is causing a nuisance in your home.

The shelter is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday afternoons. It's closed Wednesdays, Sundays and city holidays. Dial 911 for emergencies.

Dallas County

Most of Mesquite is in Dallas County, with a small part in Kaufman County. Dallas County Health and Human Services handles rabies exposure questions at (214) 819-2004. DSHS's 2024 summary shows 41 Dallas County bats tested, all negative. Kaufman County had no bats tested that year.

Mesquite housing

Mesquite's median year built is 1984. About 39% of units were built before 1980, and only about 8% in 2010 or later. About 71% of units are detached houses. On brick homes from the 1970s and 1980s, the common bat entries are:

• fascia boards that have shrunk away from the roof deck,
• soffit panels that have sagged or lost their vent screens,
• gaps where the top course of brick stops short of the frieze board,
• gable vents with torn screening.

Timing

Using the Dallas FAA Airport normals, average lows stay at 50°F or warmer from April through October. TPWD discourages exclusion from May 1 to August 15, so mid-August through October is the main window, and early spring is the second.

Mesquite housing and climate snapshot (Dallas FAA Airport climate)

• Housing units: 58,835 (median year built 1984)
• Built before 1980: 39%; built 2010 or later: 8%
• Single-family detached: 71%; buildings with 10+ units: 16%
• Renter-occupied homes: 35%
• 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

• Garland
• Dallas
• Balch Springs
• Sunnyvale
• Forney

Sources

1. City of Mesquite: Animal Bites and Rabies Control
2. City of Mesquite: Animal Services
3. Texas DSHS: Dallas County disease reporting contacts
4. Texas DSHS: 2024 rabies summary by county (PDF)
5. Mammals of Texas (TTU NSRL): Brazilian free-tailed bat
6. Mammals of Texas (TTU NSRL): big brown bat
7. Mammals of Texas (TTU NSRL): evening bat
8. TPWD Outdoor Annual: nongame and other species (bats)
9. Texas DSHS: bat exposure scenarios and capture tips
10. Census Reporter: Mesquite ACS 2024 profile
11. NOAA NCEI 1991–2020 monthly normals (Dallas Faa Ap)