What to Do When You Find Bats in Your Home

Bats are essential creatures for our ecosystem, playing a vital role in insect control. However, discovering them in your home can be unsettling and pose certain health risks, including rabies. If you find bats inside your home, it’s crucial to address the situation calmly and methodically. Here’s a step-by-step guide on what to do when you find bats in your home.

What to Do When You Find Bats in Your Home

1. Remain Calm and Ensure Safety

When you first encounter a bat in your home, it’s natural to feel startled. However, remember that bats are typically more afraid of humans than we are of them. Don’t try to swat or chase the bat, as this may lead to unnecessary contact or injury.

Ensure that everyone, especially children and pets, are away from the bat. Isolate the bat to one room by closing doors and windows to other parts of the house.

2. Determine the Extent of the Infestation

A lone bat in your home may have accidentally flown in through an open window or door. However, if you’re finding multiple bats or encountering them regularly, it’s a sign of a possible roosting colony in your home. Inspect attics, basements, chimneys, and other secluded areas for evidence of bat colonies.

3. Carefully Remove a Lone Bat

If it’s just one bat:

• Wait until it lands.
• Wearing thick gloves, approach the bat slowly.
• Gently cover it with a container or box.
• Slowly slide a piece of cardboard or plastic underneath the box to trap the bat.
• Once secured, take the bat outside and release it away from your home.

Alternatively, you can open a window and turn off indoor lights, leaving only an outdoor light on. This can encourage the bat to fly out on its own.

4. Do Not Touch with Bare Hands

Even though most bats do not carry rabies, they are among the few mammals that can. Never handle a bat with your bare hands. Always wear thick gloves and avoid any direct contact. If someone in your household is bitten or scratched by a bat, seek medical attention immediately.

5. Bat-proof Your Home

If it’s determined that you have a bat colony:

• Conduct a thorough inspection to identify entry and exit points. Common areas include attic vents, loose or missing roof shingles, chimneys, and gaps in eaves or siding.
• Install one-way exclusion devices. These allow bats to exit but not re-enter. This step is vital before sealing off entry points, ensuring no bats are trapped inside.
• Once you’re certain all bats have left, seal all entry points using caulk, mesh, or other appropriate materials.
• Avoid sealing off these areas during the bats’ maternity season, which typically spans from late spring to mid-summer, as baby bats might be left behind.

6. Consider Consulting a Professional

If you’re unsure about any step in the process or are dealing with a large bat infestation, it’s recommended to hire a bat removal specialist. They are trained in safe and humane removal methods and can offer guidance on preventing future infestations.

7. Clean and Disinfect

Once the bats are removed, it’s essential to clean and disinfect the areas they occupied. Bats can leave behind droppings, called guano, which can contain harmful fungi, like the one responsible for Histoplasmosis, a lung infection. Wear protective gear, including a mask, and make sure the area is well-ventilated.

8. Appreciate Bats from a Distance

It’s crucial to remember that bats are protected species in many regions and play a critical role in maintaining healthy ecosystems. Killing bats is often illegal and unethical. Rather than viewing them as pests, appreciate their role in insect control and consider installing a bat house away from your home to give them a safe place to roost.

While finding bats in your home can be alarming, remember that they are generally not aggressive and can be removed safely and humanely. By following the steps above and understanding the importance of bats in our environment, homeowners can navigate the situation effectively and coexist peacefully with these fascinating creatures.

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