City officials are planning for this year’s Freakfest celebration, but some student residents are already freaked out—and not by the potential rise in ticket prices.

Rather, a high volume of bat invasions into homes has new downtown renters scrambling to rid their houses of the potentially dangerous pests.

The Department of Public Health for Madison and Dane County released a report showing that since the beginning of this year, Animal Services received 79 calls regarding bats.

In Dane County, five bats have tested positive for rabies so far in 2007. Throughout Wisconsin, 19 cases of rabid bats have been reported.

Jeff Golden, communications manager for Public Health of Madison and Dane County, said a bat is not a pest people should try to get rid of on their own.

He said bats, more than most other animals, can gain access into homes because of their small stature. Bats are also one of the most likely animals to have rabies.

“It’s a reality we live with,” Golden said. “Bats just seem to be a magnet for rabies.”

Rabies is a disease that affects the brain and spinal cord and is usually fatal, Golden explained.

He said if a homeowner is faced with a bat, the best way to avoid contracting the disease is to stay away from it. Golden said Animal Services will remove the bat free of charge and test for rabies.

Reports of bats in housing downtown are numerous, including one report of a student getting bitten by a bat in his home on West Washington Avenue, as reported by the Wisconsin State Journal.

UW-Madison sophomore Jessica Muth lives on Dayton Street and said she had a bat in her house nearly two weeks ago. Muth said instead of leaving the bat alone and contacting the proper authorities, she attempted numerous times to chase the bat out of the room.

“I don’t how many bats we’ve had, maybe two or three,” Muth said. “We attacked them with a pole and hanger and some pots and pans.”

Golden said housing, especially old housing, like homes on Dayton, Mifflin and West Washington streets, are susceptible to bat infestations because the creatures can find little cracks and crevices within the home in which to build nests.

He also added if the bat is found in the house during the following morning, “the best thing you can do is presume there was contact,” and as a result, think about getting a rabies shot and call Animal Services to get rid of the bat.

Still, Muth said she called Animal Services twice but received no call back and if given the same situation, she would try to get rid of the bat herself.

“I don’t want it biting me in my sleep,” she said.