Austin nonprofit rescues bats from sticky bird traps, warns of danger to wildlife

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- An Austin nonprofit is warning about the impacts that widely available bird repellents can have on wildlife -- including Austin's bat population.

The Austin Bat Refuge rescued four bats that appeared to be covered in a sticky substance intended as a bird repellent outside a local business. Videos from the nonprofit show a bat unable to move with leaves stuck to its body.

ABR's Executive Director Dianne Odegard said they were alerted to bats on the sidewalk that were encased in a sticky substance, which was different from regular glue traps that bats and other animals often get stuck in.

"But this was sticky in a way that actually prevented them from opening their wings," Odegard said.

Refuge manager Lee Mackenzie said the bats plummeted to the ground. The nonprofit stepped in to save four bats, including one bat that was "passed over for dead" but had a little breath left.

Mackenzie said they don't know how many bats may have been encased in the sticky substance, so others may have crawled away.

Their process to clean the bats includes corn oil and Dawn soap. Then, the bats are dried and try test flights until they are ready to be released. One of the four bats has already been released at the Congress Avenue Bridge and the other rescued bats will test fly Monday night.

Odegard and Mackenzie have not seen this type of adhesive on bats before and want to warn people of the effects of adhesive bird repellents. Mackenzie said some alternatives wouldn't hurt bats or birds.

"It can really be devastating if it was applied to the wrong location. It could cause mass mortality, huge numbers of deaths," Mackenzie said.

Gel coating repellent, like what the nonprofit helped the bats get out of, is intended to irritate bird's feet, according to the U.S. General Services Administration.

Some limitations of the deterrent include difficult removal, damage to buildings, short-term effectiveness and pollutant absorption that leads to the repellent becoming hard and ineffective, the GSA said.

Odegard and Mackenzie said people who see a stuck bat can contact their nonprofit at 512-695-4116 and get instructions on how to help the bats. People should never touch bats or wildlife with bare hands. Leather gloves or oven mitts are recommended.

"Bats are like any other wild animal, in terms of feeling threatened and possibly biting," Odegard said.

People looking to help the bat nonprofit can donate online.