For information on rats and rodents,

Click here

Bats & Rabies 

The warmer summer months occasionally bring bats into the living spaces of homes. Because bats can carry rabies, it is important for bats to be tested if they come into contact with a human or a pet. Rabies is serious and important to prevent, but rabid bats are rare.

What To Do If You Find a Bat In Your Home

Questions? Call 617-796-2100 and ask for Animal Control. For health related questions, call the state epidemiologist (24/7) at 617-983-6800 or the Health Department at 617-796-1420.

MA Dept. of Public Health Rabies Information

MA Dept. of Public Health Rabies Fact Sheet

MA Dept. of Public Health: How to capture a bat, what to do if you find a bat in your home, and how to inspect for bats and bat-proof your home

Beavers

Beavers play an important role in the environment, however, their activities can sometimes negatively impact humans. 

If you are experiencing problems with beavers or have questions, contact the MassWildlife Northeast District Office at (978) 772-2145 (M-F 7:30am to 4:00pm).

If the problem is not creating a threat to human health or safety (see definition below), you can apply to the Newton Conservation Commission for a permit to address the problem.

If you believe the problem is creating a threat to human health or safety (see definition below), you can apply for a 10-day emergency permit to address the problem. Click here to learn what you are allowed to do if the permit is granted, what to do if it's denied, and what to do if the 10-day emergency permit has expired and the problem has not been resolved. *Note that even with an emergency permit from HHS you may also need conservation commission approval.

For more information:

Information on beavers, their role in New England's ecology, and how to deal with beaver problems

How to prevent conflicts with beavers

Beavers & the Law: A Citizen's Guide to Addressing Beaver Conflicts

List of beaver-muskrat threats to human health or safety in MA

Bird Flu

Guidance for the Public

• Avoid handling wildlife, especially sick or dead birds or other animals. If you see sick wildlife, do not approach them – you can call the Animal Control Officer at 617-796-2109 for assistance.
• Avoid handling sick or deceased domestic birds.
• Keep pets safe: Dogs and other pets should always be leashed and kept away from wildlife. Cats are highly susceptible to HPAI and may die from an infection. Cat owners in affected areas should keep their pets indoors to prevent exposure to infected wildlife.
• Hunting: While eating wild game meat is generally considered safe, licensed hunters can minimize the risk of wildlife diseases by following best practices when handling and processing game.

Report Suspected Cases

• Wild Birds: if you see five or more sick or deceased wild birds are found at a single location, report it to Mass Wildlife at mass.gov/reportbirds.
• Domestic Birds: report sickness or death of domestic birds to MDAR’s Division of Animal Health at (617) 626-1795 or through mass.gov/reportpoultry.

For More Information

• The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources Avian Influenza webpage
• The Massachusetts Department of Public Health & The Bureau of Infectious Disease and Laboratory Sciences Avian Flu webpage

Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes and ticks are more than pests; they can carry diseases which can make you very sick. About 3,000 different species of mosquitoes have been identified worldwide, 51 of which have been found in Massachusetts.

Most mosquito bites will only cause itching or skin irritation, but some species in Massachusetts can carry West Nile virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis. Mosquito-borne illnesses can be very severe so taking steps to avoid mosquito bites is important. You can protect yourself by reducing mosquito breeding in your home and using mosquito repellent. The US Environmental Protection Agency has a helpful tool to help you find the repellent that is right for you. 

Visit the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (mosquitoes) to learn more.

MDPH will resume testing for EEE and WNV in June 2022. Click here to view your local risk levels.

Ticks

Ticks are tiny bugs mostly found in shady, damp, brushy, wooded, or grassy areas. Infected ticks are found throughout Massachusetts and New England, not just on Cape Cod. Ticks do not fly or jump. They attach to animals or people that come into direct contact with them. Deer ticks and dog ticks are found throughout Massachusetts.

The most common tick-borne diseases in Massachusetts are Lyme Disease, Babesiosis, and Anaplasmosis. Other diseases that are more rare, but still occur, are Tularemia, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Borrelia miyamotoi, and Powassan virus.

Tick-borne illnesses can be very severe so taking steps to avoid tick bites is important. One of the most important things you can do to protect yourself is check yourself for ticks once a day and after being outside. Using tick repellent is another important prevention measure. The US Environmental Protection Agency has a helpful tool to help you find the repellent that is right for you.

While testing ticks can provide useful information, there are some important things to consider when deciding whether to test a tick. Learn more and see a list of tick identification and testing locations. If you have been bitten by a tick, you should speak to your health care provider.

Visit the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (ticks) to learn more.