Residents fear for health as bats infest buildings in Aguascalientes

Residents in several neighborhoods of Aguascalientes, Mexico, are living in fear as bat colonies have taken over the narrow gaps between apartment buildings, turning them into "caves." The animals' presence has led to concerns over health risks due to their waste, which creates foul odors and leaves marks on buildings and vehicles.

Areas like Infonavit Volcanes, Morelos, Pirules, and Pilar Blanco are particularly affected. Bats are seen resting during the day in the expansion joints of buildings and in cracks, emerging at dusk in large numbers. "They start flapping their wings when it gets dark, hitting the walls, there are so many of them. They come out like flocks of birds, they even urinate on our heads and it smells very bad," shared María Loreto Macías Murillo, a resident of Volcanes.

“

They start flapping their wings when it gets dark, hitting the walls, there are so many of them. They come out like flocks of birds, they even urinate on our heads and it smells very bad.

The accumulation of dark guano, or bat droppings, is a constant issue in the gardens, and fecal waste also contaminates windows and parked vehicles. María Loreto, who has lived in her apartment for 40 years, noted that the bats began to become visible about five years ago and have proliferated significantly in the last two to three years.

The State Institute of Health Services of Aguascalientes (ISSEA) has identified species such as mouse-tailed bats, big-eared bats, and brown bats in these urban zones. Young resident Ángel described the animals emerging with a "screeching sound." Another resident, Eder Aguayo, noted the strong ammonia-like smell from the bats' urine and a "dust" they emit, which he believes is harmful and contains fungus, posing respiratory risks. He has attempted to seal a section of the gap between his building and the adjacent one with expandable foam, but the animals have even chewed through his window's protective mesh.

“

It's the smell of pee, and what they emit, like a dust, supposedly harmful because it carries fungus. We can have respiratory problems because we are inhaling it daily.