Key points
- In the United States, bats are the most reported animals with rabies.
- Most people in the U.S. who die of rabies were exposed to a rabid bat.
- Avoid touching bats and see a medical professional if you may have had contact with one.
- Learn how to keep a bat out of your home.
Signs of rabies in bats
Bats play a vital role in our ecosystem, and they do not all carry rabies. However, it's important to recognize possible signs of rabies in bats. Unusual behaviors that could indicate rabies include bats that:
- Are active during the day
- Are found in unusual places (inside a home or on the ground)
- Are unable to fly or you can easily approach
- Have made contact with you as they usually avoid humans
If you see strange bat behavior, keep your distance and contact with animal control or your local public health department.
What to do if you encounter a bat
Avoid touching bats. Bat bites can be tiny, and you may not even know if you were bitten. If you do know that you were bitten or scratched by a bat, wash the wound with soap and water and get medical help right away. If bat saliva or brain material gets into your eyes, nose, mouth, or an open wound, see a healthcare professional urgently.
If you think you have been in contact with a bat, talk to your health department. If you find a bat in your home, contact animal control or your health department to safely capture it for rabies testing. Do not release the bat until you talk with a public health expert.
Keep bats out of your home
Prevent bats from getting in
Bats can fit through tiny openings as small as ¼ inch. An animal control or wildlife conservation agency can "batproof" your home. You can also take steps to batproof on your own.
- Check for any openings that bats could use to get inside.
- Caulk any openings larger than a dime.
- Use screens, chimney caps, and draft guards to seal attic doors.
- Fill electrical and plumbing holes with steel wool or caulk.
- Ensure all doors to the outside close tightly.
If you have bats
- Watch where they exit at dusk; this may show how they're getting inside.
- Try to count how many there are.
- Loosely hang plastic sheeting or bird netting over the exit hole(s) to prevent bats from returning and allow the remaining bats to exit.
- Once you're sure all bats have exited, seal the opening(s).
Because it could result in increased bat sightings, tell neighbors and visitors you are bat-proofing. Any contact with bats should be reported to the health department to find out if you need medical care.
Most bats leave in the fall or winter to migrate, so these are the best times to bat-proof your home. If you're bat proofing between May and August, be careful not to trap young bats inside your home. Always be mindful of local rules or laws about removing bats. Some bats are endangered and may need special care if they are found in your home.
How to safely capture a bat
- Find a container like a box or jar large enough for the bat to fit in.
- Locate a piece of cardboard large enough to cover the container opening.
- Punch small air holes in the cardboard.
- Put on leather work gloves.
- When the bat lands, approach it slowly and put the container over it.
- Slide the cardboard under the container to trap the bat inside.
- Tape the cardboard to the container to secure the bat inside.
- Contact your local health department to have the bat tested for rabies and determine if you need medical care from being in contact with the bat.
If you cannot safely capture the bat, speak with your public health department for further advice.