Bat Removal Round Rock, TX

What RRPD Animal Control does about bats

Round Rock's Animal Control Unit is part of the police department (2701 North Mays Street, 512-218-5500, animals@roundrocktexas.gov). Its bat FAQ sets out the rules:

• A bat touched a person or pet: call 512-218-5500 right away. Confine the bat or keep track of it until Animal Control can capture it for testing, and keep exposed pets away from people and other animals.
• A bat on the ground outdoors: call Animal Control, and cover the bat with something to contain it.
• A bat trapped in a home or business: Animal Control responds only during business hours. The city suggests opening a window, turning on the lights and leaving the room. If that doesn't work, call a pest control or wildlife removal company.
• A colony in a building: the city doesn't remove bat colonies. It points residents to pest control professionals and to Bat Conservation International (512-327-9721).
• A dead bat with no exposure: Animal Control only collects bats that need rabies testing. Otherwise, the city says to put it in your trash bin.

Rabid bats in Round Rock

On October 14, 2014, a live bat was found on the ground inside the replica hospital at Rabb Play for All Abilities Park, 151 N. A.W. Grimes Blvd. Animal Control sent it to DSHS, and it tested positive. In August 2024, RRPD's Animal Control Unit warned residents after bats tested positive for rabies, CBS Austin reported. The unit urged people to call if a bat is found within reach of people or pets or inside a building. DSHS's 2024 summary lists 35 positive bats in Williamson County out of 92 with a result.

County health contacts

The Williamson County and Cities Health District says anyone bitten or scratched by a bat should get medical care, and the bat shouldn't be released or thrown away. The district doesn't accept bat samples itself. Its epidemiology division answers post-exposure questions at 512-943-3660. Kaleb Fowlkes is the DSHS disease-reporting contact for the county, at 512-248-3211.

Round Rock housing

Only about 8% of Round Rock's housing was built before 1980. The median year built is 2003, and about 27% of units are in buildings with 10 or more units. On newer production homes, we find bats at roofline steps and dormers where flashing leaves a gap, at the ends of ridge vents, and where stone or brick veneer meets soffits. On apartment and commercial buildings, they use expansion joints and parapet caps.

Timing

Using the Austin Camp Mabry normals, about 15 miles south, average lows stay at 50°F or warmer from March through November. That gives Round Rock a longer fall window than North Texas. TPWD discourages exclusion from May 1 to August 15, so plan for mid-August through November or March into April.

Round Rock housing and climate snapshot (Austin Camp Mabry climate)

• Housing units: 55,692 (median year built 2003)
• Built before 1980: 8%; built 2010 or later: 30%
• Single-family detached: 64%; buildings with 10+ units: 27%
• Renter-occupied homes: 43%
• Average January low: 42°F; average August high: 98°F
• Months with an average low of 50°F or warmer: Mar–Nov

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

Common questions

Nearby city guides

• Georgetown
• Austin
• Pflugerville
• Hutto
• Cedar Park

Sources

1. Round Rock Police: Animal Control and bat FAQ
2. City of Round Rock: rabid bat found at Play for All Park (2014)
3. CBS Austin: Round Rock residents warned after bats test positive for rabies (2024)
4. Williamson County and Cities Health District: animal bites and concerns
5. Texas DSHS: Williamson County disease reporting contacts
6. Texas DSHS: 2024 rabies summary by county (PDF)
7. Mammals of Texas (TTU NSRL): Brazilian free-tailed bat
8. Mammals of Texas (TTU NSRL): cave myotis
9. TPWD Outdoor Annual: nongame and other species (bats)
10. Texas DSHS: bat exposure scenarios and capture tips
11. Census Reporter: Round Rock ACS 2024 profile
12. NOAA NCEI 1991–2020 monthly normals (Austin-Camp Mabry)