A bat in the house

In the United States, bats are the most commonly reported animals with rabies, and most people in the U.S. who die of rabies were exposed to a rabid bat. Not all bats carry it. A bat bite can be so small that you may not know you were bitten, so any contact matters.

A bat that's inside a home, on the ground, active during the day, unable to fly or easy to approach may be sick. So is one that has touched a person, since bats usually avoid people.

What you need

• A box or jar big enough to hold the bat
• A piece of cardboard larger than the opening
• Leather work gloves
• Tape

Steps

1. 1

   Keep your distance

   Don't touch the bat.

   1 min

2. 2

   Call animal control or the health department

   They can catch the bat safely so it can be tested for rabies. Don't release it until you've talked with a public health expert.

   5 min

3. 3

   If you're told to catch it, cover it with the container

   Punch small air holes in the cardboard and put on the leather gloves. When the bat lands, approach slowly and set the box or jar over it.

   5 min

4. 4

   Slide the cardboard underneath and tape it shut

   Then call the health department to have the bat tested, and to find out whether anyone needs medical care. If you can't catch it safely, ask them what to do next.

   2 min

5. 5

   Care for a bite or scratch right away

   Wash the wound with soap and water and get medical help right away. If bat saliva gets into your eyes, nose, mouth or an open wound, see a health care professional urgently.

   5 min

Keeping bats out

Bats can get through openings as small as ¼ inch. Animal control or a wildlife conservation agency can bat-proof the house, including any openings up high. Some of the work can be done from the ground or indoors:

• Caulk any opening larger than a dime.
• Fill holes around electrical and plumbing lines with steel wool or caulk.
• Make sure every door to the outside closes tightly.
• Use draft guards to seal the attic door.

If bats are living in the house, watch at dusk to see where they leave and count how many there are. For an exit you can reach from the ground, loose plastic sheeting or bird netting hung over it lets the bats out but not back in. Seal the opening only once they've all left. Exits up high are a job for animal control or the wildlife agency. Most bats leave in fall or winter to migrate, which makes those the best seasons for bat-proofing. From May through August, young bats can be trapped inside. Some bats are endangered and may need special care.

Tell neighbors and visitors when you're bat-proofing, since it can mean more bats around for a while.