Take care with bats found inside

The town’s Health Department has reported several incidents of bats entering local homes this summer, and is warning residents to take care in dealing with the intruders. Last August, the agency received 51 such reports. It is important to properly capture a bat found in a home, otherwise residents will need to be treated for rabies, officials said. “Do not release bats outdoors until you can rule out an exposure,’’ said Pat Maloney, chief of environmental health for the town. Any incident of a resident or pet potentially exposed to a bat bite — which can leave no visible mark — should be reported to the Health Department. Bat capture is best left to a professional pest company. For further precautions and information, call the department at 617-730-2300.