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Maiden American Legion infested by bats

By Dave Faherty, wsoctv.com
By Dave Faherty, wsoctv.com
Mary Bartlett's husband and brother served two tours in Vietnam.  
Now, she is helping other veterans by working with the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary in Maiden.
"We devote our time to our veterans,” Bartlett said.
The group won't be meeting at Post 240 anytime soon because of a bat problem.
"They don't scare me. I know they're not going to bite me,” Bartlett said. “I'm not really scared of them, but I imagine some people would be. You'd like to see them go? I would like to see them go."
Wildlife experts said federal law prevents the removal of bats from May 1 through July 31.
It is during that time they give birth to their pups.
In most cases, one-way doors are installed near openings, allowing the bats out but not back in. One of the dangers of an infestation is bat droppings.
"You don't want to go in when it is really dry, because it does get airborne and that's when it is a little more touchy,” said Brian Tomaszewski, of Southern Wildlife Control. “So, whenever I do it, I always have a respirator."
The droppings can cause respiratory problems for the elderly and very young. The dances at Post 240 on Saturday night have been canceled until the bats are removed.
The kitchen at the American Legion has not been used since the bats were noticed. 
The health department said it is working with animal services to come up with a solution. 
Police in Maiden said a man became sick because of the infestation.
Miriam Brown loves bats and has even placed a bat house behind her home to keep other pests away.  
"That's a bat house,” said  Brown, a neighbor. "Bats, if you're fortunate enough to have them, one can eat 2,000 mosquitoes in an hour."

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