The Real Story On Bats

photo: (c) Mike Green, CZS

Bats are primary predators of night-flying insects. They play a vital role in maintaining the balance of nature. A single Little Brown Bat can catch 1,200 mosquito-sized insects in an hour and Big Brown Bats prey on some of America's most costly crop pests.

It's important to understand the habits of these beneficial animals and to appreciate them, but to never handle them unless you are an experienced animal rehabilitator, researcher or educator.

Bats Are Not a Primary Carrier of Rabies

Many people fear bats because they believe they are rabid. By and large, this is not the case. The Big Brown Bat and Little Brown Bat, which are the most common house-dwelling species, are not known to have caused a single case of human rabies in the past 15 years. In fact, only four cases are believed to have come from these species in American history, according to Bat Conservation International. More than 99 percent of deaths from rabies are due to contact with rabid dogs.

Have A Bat Living In Your House?

Sometimes a bat will enter a home, garage or other building through an open door or window. In this situation bats will usually leave on their own if a window and/or door to the outside is open while all other openings are closed. Bats are rarely aggressive, but may bite if handled. If bitten seek medical consultation immediately.

If a bat does not leave on its own, wait until it lands and cover it with a small box or other container. Slip a piece of cardboard between the wall and the container, slide the bat into the container and release it outside. It's best not to catch the bat by hand, but if you must make sure to wear leather work gloves to avoid being bitten.

To prevent bats from entering or reentering your home or building keep doors and windows closed and keep window screens in good repair.

Going Batty

Bats typically roost in attics, soffits, louvers, and chimneys, under siding, eaves, roof tiles or shingles and behind shutters. They can access openings as small as ½" in diameter. Body oil stain or droppings in and around openings and on walls is a good indication of their presence. Exclusion is the only permanent and effective solution to removing bats from your home or building. To find out more detailed information on how to properly and safely evict a bat from your house or building and how to construct your own bat box so that you both can live together harmoniously please visit Bat Conservation International's website at www.batcon.org.

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