Bat-tling In Your Home: A Step-by-Step Guide to Safely Catching and Releasing a Bat
Discovering a bat fluttering around inside your house can be unsettling, but it’s important to remain calm. Bats are generally beneficial creatures, playing a vital role in controlling insect populations. While they might seem frightening, they are usually harmless and only enter homes by accident. This comprehensive guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to safely catch and release a bat from your home, minimizing stress for both you and the animal. It also covers preventative measures to keep them from returning.
Why Bats End Up Inside Your House
Before diving into the catching process, understanding why a bat might have wandered inside is helpful. Common reasons include:
* **Accidental Entry:** Bats might fly in through open doors or windows, especially during dusk or dawn when they are most active.
* **Seeking Shelter:** Bats might seek refuge in homes during extreme weather conditions like storms or heat waves.
* **Maternal Colonies:** In spring and summer, female bats (mothers) sometimes seek out attics or wall spaces to establish maternity colonies. These situations are more complex and require specialized handling.
* **Existing Entry Points:** Cracks in foundations, gaps around pipes, or damaged screens can provide entry points for bats.
Is a Bat in My House Dangerous?
The main concern when a bat enters your house is the potential for rabies transmission. While only a small percentage of bats carry rabies, it’s crucial to take precautions if you suspect a bite or scratch. You might not always feel a bat bite, as their teeth are very small. Therefore, the following guidelines should be followed:
* **If you wake up to a bat in your room:** Assume you have been bitten or scratched, especially if you are unable to confirm the bat has not made any contact.
* **If a bat is found near an unattended child, mentally impaired person, or anyone who might be unable to communicate:** Assume a bite or scratch occurred.
* **If you suspect a bite or scratch, even a minor one:** Immediately wash the affected area thoroughly with soap and water for 10-15 minutes. Contact your doctor or local health department for guidance regarding rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).
**Important Note:** Do not handle a bat with bare hands. Always wear thick leather gloves.
Essential Supplies for Catching a Bat
Before attempting to catch a bat, gather the following supplies:
* **Thick Leather Gloves:** Crucial for protecting your hands from bites and scratches.
* **Cardboard Box or Coffee Can:** Large enough to comfortably contain the bat.
* **Piece of Cardboard or Stiff Paper:** Used to cover the opening of the box or can.
* **Tape (Duct Tape or Packing Tape):** To secure the cardboard cover.
* **Towel or Net (Optional):** Can be used to gently guide the bat into the container, but should not be used to swat at it.
* **Flashlight:** Helpful for locating the bat, especially in dimly lit areas.
Step-by-Step Guide to Safely Catching a Bat
Follow these steps carefully to safely catch and release a bat:
**Step 1: Assess the Situation and Ensure Safety**
* **Stay Calm:** Bats are more scared of you than you are of them. Panicking can make the situation worse.
* **Isolate the Bat:** Confine the bat to a single room by closing all doors leading to other parts of the house. Open any windows and doors leading outside from that room. Turn off the lights in the room and turn on any outside lights. Sometimes the bat will simply fly out on its own.
* **Protect Yourself:** Put on your thick leather gloves.
* **Remove Pets:** Remove any pets from the room to prevent them from being injured or further agitating the bat.
* **Protect Children:** Ensure children are not in the room and understand the importance of staying away from the bat.
**Step 2: Observe the Bat’s Behavior**
* **Is the bat flying or has it landed?** If the bat is flying, try to observe its flight path and anticipate where it might land. Bats often land on curtains, walls, or the ceiling.
* **Is the bat injured or behaving strangely?** If the bat appears injured, is unable to fly, or is acting unusually (e.g., stumbling on the ground), contact your local animal control or a wildlife rehabilitator for assistance. Do not attempt to handle a bat that is behaving strangely.
**Step 3: Wait for the Bat to Land (If Possible)**
* **Patience is Key:** It’s much easier to catch a bat that has landed. Avoid trying to catch it while it’s flying, as this can be stressful for the animal and increase the risk of injury.
* **If the bat is flying erratically:** Turn off the lights in the room and open a window. The bat will often be attracted to the light coming from outside and will fly out on its own. Keep observing from outside the room to make sure that it has left the house.
**Step 4: Carefully Approach the Landed Bat**
* **Move Slowly and Deliberately:** Avoid sudden movements that might startle the bat.
* **Speak Softly:** Use a calm and soothing voice to avoid further stressing the bat.
**Step 5: Capture the Bat with the Box or Can**
* **Gently Place the Container Over the Bat:** Slowly approach the bat and carefully place the cardboard box or coffee can over it, trapping it against the wall or ceiling.
* **Slide the Cardboard Underneath:** Gently slide the piece of cardboard or stiff paper between the container and the surface the bat is on, effectively sealing it inside.
* **Avoid Pinching the Bat:** Be very careful not to pinch the bat when sliding the cardboard underneath. If you encounter resistance, try gently adjusting the container’s position.
**Step 6: Secure the Container**
* **Tape the Cardboard in Place:** Securely tape the cardboard to the container using duct tape or packing tape. Ensure there are no gaps through which the bat could escape.
* **Ventilation:** Poke small air holes in the cardboard cover to provide the bat with ventilation.
**Step 7: Release the Bat Outdoors**
* **Choose a Suitable Release Location:** Release the bat outdoors in a safe location away from people and pets, ideally near trees or other natural habitat. Avoid releasing the bat in direct sunlight or during inclement weather.
* **Release at Dusk or Night:** Bats are nocturnal animals, so release them at dusk or night when they are naturally active.
* **Gently Remove the Cardboard:** Carefully remove the tape and cardboard cover, allowing the bat to fly out on its own. If the bat doesn’t fly out immediately, gently tip the container sideways to encourage it to leave. Do not force the bat out.
**Step 8: Observe the Bat After Release**
* **Ensure the Bat Flies Away Successfully:** Watch the bat to ensure it is able to fly away without difficulty. If the bat appears injured or unable to fly, contact your local animal control or a wildlife rehabilitator for assistance.
What To Do If You Are Bitten or Scratched
As mentioned earlier, even a minor bite or scratch from a bat can potentially transmit rabies. If you suspect you have been bitten or scratched, take the following steps:
1. **Wash the Wound Thoroughly:** Immediately wash the affected area thoroughly with soap and water for 10-15 minutes.
2. **Apply Antiseptic:** Apply an antiseptic solution, such as iodine or alcohol, to the wound.
3. **Seek Medical Attention:** Contact your doctor or local health department immediately for guidance. They will assess the risk of rabies exposure and determine whether post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is necessary.
4. **Capture the Bat (If Possible):** If possible, safely capture the bat without damaging it. This will allow health officials to test the bat for rabies. Follow the catching procedures outlined above. **Do not release the bat if there is a chance of a bite or scratch. Your local health department will be able to give instructions on the best way to proceed.**
Testing the Bat for Rabies
The decision to test a bat for rabies is typically made by your doctor or local health department based on the circumstances of the encounter. In general, rabies testing is recommended if:
* The bat bit or scratched a person or domestic animal.
* The bat was found in a room with a sleeping person, an unattended child, or a mentally impaired person.
* The bat exhibited unusual behavior, such as aggression or disorientation.
The bat must be euthanized in order to test it for rabies. The brain tissue is then examined for the presence of the rabies virus.
Preventing Future Bat Encounters
Preventing bats from entering your home in the first place is the best way to avoid future encounters. Here are some preventative measures you can take:
* **Seal Entry Points:** Inspect your home’s exterior for any cracks, holes, or gaps that bats could use to enter. Pay close attention to areas around pipes, vents, chimneys, and foundations. Seal these entry points with caulk, sealant, or wire mesh.
* **Install Screens:** Ensure that all windows and doors have screens that are in good repair. Replace any damaged or torn screens.
* **Cap Chimneys:** Install a chimney cap to prevent bats (and other animals) from entering your chimney.
* **Use Draft Guards:** Install draft guards on doors to prevent bats from squeezing in underneath.
* **Exterior Lighting:** While some believe exterior lighting attracts insects which then attract bats, others find that leaving exterior lights on can deter bats from approaching your house, as they prefer dark environments. Experiment to see what works best for your situation.
* **Maintain Your Yard:** Keep your yard well-maintained by trimming trees and bushes away from your house. This reduces the potential for bats to roost near your home.
* **Professional Bat Exclusion:** If you have a persistent bat problem, consider hiring a professional wildlife control company to perform a bat exclusion. This involves identifying and sealing all entry points and installing one-way devices that allow bats to exit your home but prevent them from re-entering. **Never attempt to block bats inside without a one-way device.**
Dealing with a Bat Colony
If you suspect you have a bat colony in your attic or walls, do not attempt to handle the situation yourself. Contact a qualified wildlife control professional. Bat colonies can be large and complex to remove, and improper handling can harm the bats and potentially violate local regulations. Professionals have the expertise and equipment to safely and humanely remove the colony and prevent future infestations. Furthermore, maternity colonies need to be handled with extreme care and the exclusion should be done during the appropriate time of year (fall is generally the best time).
Legal Considerations
Bats are protected under various state and federal laws. It is illegal to kill or harm bats in many jurisdictions. Before taking any action to remove or exclude bats from your property, check with your local wildlife agency to ensure you are in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. Some species are endangered and have particularly strict protections.
Myths About Bats
It’s important to dispel some common myths about bats:
* **Myth: Bats are blind.** Bats are not blind. They have excellent eyesight, and some species also use echolocation to navigate and find food.
* **Myth: All bats have rabies.** Only a small percentage of bats carry rabies.
* **Myth: Bats want to get in your hair.** Bats are not attracted to human hair. They are simply trying to navigate their surroundings.
* **Myth: Bats are aggressive.** Bats are generally not aggressive and only bite when they feel threatened.
Additional Resources
* Your Local Health Department
* Your Local Animal Control
* Wildlife Rehabilitators
* The National Wildlife Federation (nwf.org)
* Bat Conservation International (batcon.org)
Conclusion
Encountering a bat in your home can be a stressful experience, but by following these steps, you can safely catch and release the bat without harming yourself or the animal. Remember to prioritize safety, take precautions against potential rabies exposure, and implement preventative measures to avoid future encounters. If you have a persistent bat problem or suspect a bat colony, contact a qualified wildlife control professional for assistance. By understanding bat behavior and taking appropriate action, you can coexist peacefully with these fascinating and beneficial creatures.
