Waynesburg University students have been driven batty, literally. 

Bats have been found in two on-campus houses this school year. The bats have been removed, and other than disturbing students , the winged mammals appear to be harmless, according to Matthew Pioch, director of housing. 

Issues like this arise every year at Waynesburg, said Pioch.. Pioch said creatures in university housing isn’t an uncommon event. 

Among the animals that get into dorms are mice, snakes and spiders according to Pioch. 

“Usually just small animals. We haven’t had anything poisonous,” said Pioch. 

Pioch has said that August and September are the most common times of year to get reports of animals in housing. Since the dorms are less occupied over the summer months, animals often manage to sneak in. 

Pioch said Waynesburg has a pest control specialist who comes to campus once a week. He sprays repellant and gets rid of any animals that may give students trouble. 

The recent incidents with bats occurred at two adjoining houses on campus. 

Elizabeth Trump, a senior biology major, saw the first bat one evening after getting back from cross country practice. Trump said she got home and saw a dark colored creature f lying around. She realized it was a bat when she turned on the lights. 

After calling campus security, she and her housemates left the house and waited for the bat to be removed. 

The pest was removed, but Trump said knowing there is a bat infestation has left her house residents feeling uneasy. 

“I feel like I have to check every room in the house when I get home because I don’t know if there is a bat in the house,” said Trump. 

Next door is Josh Miller, a senior nursing major, who also found three bats in his on-campus house in less than two weeks. Miller opted to take care of the bats on his own. 

Miller said he came back from an evening at Hot Rods House of Bar- B-Que when he saw a bat fly past him. Miller used a broom to swat the bat out of the air and disposed of it in a dumpster outside. 

Miller contacted campus security, who arrived at the house to investigate where the bats were coming from. When security checked the attic, they discovered five more bats. Miller said there was a small opening near a window in the attic that the bats managed to squeeze in through. 

Miller and his housemates said they aren’t worried about the bats at all. 

“We just walk around. We take care of it ,” said Miller.