Bats infest Volusia Co. Health Department

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. — Bats are always found in the wild, but when they infest a building it's a big problem, especially when it's the health department.

Clients of a New Smyrna Beach Health Department office are being turned away with signs after bats took over the attic at the Canal Street building.

Dozens, if not hundreds, of the little creatures are crawling around the rooftop, a potential danger to workers and visitors.

"They have such small teeth that you wouldn't even know that you were bitten by them," said Paul Minshew of the Department of Health.

The bats are in the eaves, in the trees outside the building, and inside.

"Our employees actually started seeing bats actually in the clinic in a couple of the rooms where they had fallen out of the ceiling," Minshew said.

It's a problem people would normally call the health department about, but this time the bats went straight to the health department.

Mesh sheets have been placed on the eaves of the building, so the bats can get out - but can't get back in.

"I expect it will take about a week to make sure all the bats will be able to get out. We don't kill the bats because they are a protected species so we just want them to leave and find another place to roost," Minshew said.

It's unclear exactly when, but the Health Department said as soon as they get the building clear of bats, they'll reopen.

WFTV