Bats have been living on the property for several years but have recently been found inside Fire Station 39.

HUDSON – Officials here are temporarily closing Fire Station 39 until a colony of bats can be removed.

The station, 11630 County Line Road in Hudson, is expected to remain closed for about a week.

During the closure of Fire Station 39, Engine 39 will be responding out of Fire Station 20 in Shady Hills and Rescue 39 will be responding out of Fire Station 10 in Hudson. The fire station closure has also activated an auto-aid agreement with Hernando County Fire Rescue to facilitate response in northwest Pasco County that will continue to provide the level of service the community expects.

Bats have been living on the property for several years and efforts to keep them away from the building have been ongoing. Over the past week, several bats have been found inside the building, creating unsanitary and unsafe conditions.

Pasco County staff members are working with a wildlife contractor to determine the most effective way to remove the bats and to prevent them from gaining entrance to the fire station in the future. Pasco County Animal Services is consulting with the Florida Department of Health – Pasco County to screen two bats for any diseases.

For information about Pasco County Fire Rescue, go to pascocountyfl.net.

File photo does not depict one of the fire station bats.

Pasco Fire | Bats | Fire Station 39 | Public Safety | Tampa Bay News | TB Reporter

#PascoFire #Bats #FireStation39 #PublicSafety #TampaBayNews #TBReporter