A Family in Georgia Faces an Unwanted Bat Invasion

Isaiah and Monica Grant, along with their two young children, have been forced to leave their home in Ardsley Park, Georgia, after a shocking bat invasion. Located about three hours from Atlanta, the family was informed by the Georgia Department of Public Health on January 29 that their home posed an ‘imminent health risk.’

‘This has been so traumatizing,’ Monica shared with WSAV, referring to the rental property she lives in with her husband, toddler, and infant.

The nightmare began on January 18 when the Grants first spotted a bat in their home. Within days, their situation escalated as they noticed more bats swarming inside.

‘Three bats came flying down the stairs while we were sitting in our living room. They started coming through the vents. The kids were already asleep,’ Monica recounted.

‘We Had to Get Out of There’

The family, originally from Chicago, made the tough decision to move in with a neighbor after fleeing their new home.

Cathleen Barela, the property manager, assured News 3 that they have been in contact with the family and the local authorities. ‘Code Compliance left a violation notice due to the pressure from the tenants,’ Barela said.

The notice indicated that bats needed to be removed from the property, and steps were being taken to address the issue. ‘We acted swiftly as any property manager would, addressing it as soon as it was reported,’ Barela added.

Despite these assurances, the Grant family is still facing numerous inconveniences. They were advised to get immediate rabies shots, which they had to pay for out of pocket.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that bats are a leading cause of rabies-related deaths in the United States.

‘Rabies is Deadly and Requires Quick Action’

‘There is no treatment for rabies. Either you get the vaccine, or you face the risk of death,’ the concerned mother shared.

Isaiah added that it is ‘nearly impossible to know if you’ve been bitten by a bat.’

In response to their growing medical bills and the need for a new home, the family has started a GoFundMe page.

‘We have renter’s insurance, but it states that “a bat infestation is not a covered loss.” Even though the home is uninhabitable, it must be for a reason that is covered,’ Isaiah wrote on the page.

‘Dracula is real, y’all,’ he added humorously.

In a February 2 update, the father noted that they were ‘overwhelmed by the support’ received from the community and have been offered a furnished townhouse to use temporarily.

‘A Temporary Safe Haven’

‘We will be moving into a townhouse for the next month while we figure out our next steps,’ Isaiah said.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reports that Georgia is home to 16 different species of bats. According to the CDC, while most bats don’t have rabies, it’s impossible to determine if they are carriers without testing in a lab.