HOUSTON -- Three bats were found recently at Bellaire High School, officials told KPRC Local 2 Tuesday.

The bats were discovered over the past two weeks flying in the third floor hallway of the campus, located at 5100 Maple.

"One was actually hanging off the ceiling tile and there was one behind a doorway entry coming off the stairwell. Another one was behind a garbage can," said Richard Perez with the Bellaire Police Department.

Perez was called to the school last week to handle a captured bat.

"First thing, we get it tested for rabies," he said. "We did that. It came back negative."

The species of bat most feared in Houston is the Mexican Free-tail bat, which is connected to the death of a 16-year-old Humble boy last Spring.

"During May, June and July, we tested five to six times as many bats as we normally do," said Kathy Barton with the city of Houston Health and Human Services.

She said she believes public awareness has increased and not the bat population.

"Bats are a member of the natural habitat here in Houston and they play an important role. But, they don't need to be playing a role in your personal life. They don't need to be in your house. You don't need to be touching them or letting the bats touch your children," Barton said.

The bats found at Bellaire High School did not have any human contact. People can only contract rabies after being bitten from a rabid animal.

The school is now working with an exterminator to help deal with the problem.

Squirrels and birds have also been a nuisance at Bellaire recently, according to officials.

Rabies Facts:

Rabies is a deadly viral disease that affects the central nervous system.
Any warm-blooded animal can spread it.
The five wild animals in Texas at high risk of spreading rabies are bats, skunks, raccoons, foxes and coyotes.
People should avoid direct contact with any wild animals.
Children should be taught to never handle any animals they're not familiar with.
All wounds inflicted by an animal should be washed thoroughly with soap and water for at least five minutes and medical attention should be sought immediately.
All pets should be vaccinated against rabies.

For more information on rabies, visit www.cdc.gov and the Harris County Health Department's Web site.