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Bats force Va. couple out of home

Posted at 5:30 PM, Aug 21, 2013
and last updated 2013-08-22 09:26:30-04

LEESBURG, Va. (WTVR) --  Heather Sewell says she never expected her new life as a married woman would start with her and her husband having to abandon the place they called home.

Their townhouse in Leesburg has been infested with bats. The mammals have taken over the attic, making it too unsanitary for the couple to live.

As a result, Sewell and her husband have moved into Sewell's mother's house in nearby Sterling.

"The bats have actually got into the attic and into the ventilation system and then were able to get into the house," said Sewell.

Now Sewell is concerned she was exposed to some kind of disease, specifically rabies.

"We've had to go through rabies vaccines, which was 8 shots for me, and we've had to go 4 times after that to get more shots," she said.

Until the bats are removed, Sewell is terrified about having to go into the house she described as being infested by spores left by the bat droppings, also known as guano.

Animal control officers said  you should call them immediately if you spot wild animals in your home. You should also fix up holes in the roof or attic, which is how they believe the bats first got into the Leesburg townhome.