What do you do if a bat is in your house?

Open windows and doors leading to the outside. Keep outdoor lights on because insects will be drawn to them, which, in turn, will lure the bat outside. If it does not leave on its own, try using a box, a container or net to capture it.

Should I be worried about a bat in my house?

While bats themselves can often carry diseases like rabies, the most dangerous risks from having bats in your home come from their droppings, which can host a wide variety of dangerous (and even deadly) diseases and parasites.

Does one bat in the house mean more?

One random bat in the house doesn't always mean anything. Most of the people that call us have had at least two or three instances of bats in the house over the last few years though. Multiple bats in your house is a very strong indication of an infestation. Most bat colonies found in houses are maternal colonies.

How long will a bat hide in my house?

Whatever the time of year, bats can sneak in through an entry point as small as 3/8 of an inch wide. This includes gaps in your siding, roof or soffit, as well as chimneys and attic vents. And if they make themselves at home, there's no limit to how long they'll stay.

Do I need a rabies shot if a bat was in my house?

For example, if you wake up with a bat in your room, you may have been exposed to rabies and should see your doctor or call your health department, even if you don't feel a bite. Healthcare providers will conduct a risk assessment to determine if you need rabies vaccination.

What To Do When a Bat Gets Into Your House

Will a bat bite me in my sleep?

For instance, a bat that flies into your room while you're sleeping may bite you without waking you. If you awake to find a bat in your room, assume you've been bitten. Also, if you find a bat near a person who can't report a bite, such as a small child or a person with a disability, assume that person has been bitten.

How likely am I to get rabies from a bat?

Bats can have rabies, but it is extremely rare for that to impact humans. The chance of getting rabies from a bat is very small — the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says there are one or two cases a year in the U.S. But bats are the most common source of human rabies in the United States.

How do I get a bat to leave my house?

Quickly place a plastic container or cardboard box over the bat. Then, slide a piece of cardboard or thick paper under the box and release the bat outside. When releasing the bat, try to let it go near a tree so it can climb (most bats can't take flight from the ground). Contact a local professional.

How do you scare a bat out of hiding?

Open any windows or doors leading outside as wide as possible. Turn off any outside lights near the exits. Dimming the lights inside can calm the bat down as well, but don't turn them off if it will cause you to lose sight of the bat.

What attracts bats to your house?

As with any other wild animal or household pest, they choose to cohabitate with humans for three reasons: Harborage, food, and water. If they have chosen your attic or outbuilding as a roosting spot it is likely because they have discovered that your home or property is a fertile food source.

What smell will keep bats away?

Bats don't like the smell of mothballs, white phenol, cinnamon, or eucalyptus. Install bright lights to help deter them. Bats also don't like objects that reflect light, so you can hang strips of aluminum foil, mirrors, mylar balloons, or even old CDs.

Where do bats hide in a house?

Check high first, behind curtains and wall hangings. Check low, on the floor under items (bats can crawl). Generally bats can be anywhere, and they can fit in holes with diameters of 3/8 inch.

Where do bats go during the day in a house?

Behind Your Chimney

When a home settles, a gap will sometimes form between the chimney and the exterior wall. This tight gap is the perfect place for a bat to tuck itself away during the day.

Where do bats like to sleep in a house?

Vents. Vents are the perfect roost for bats because they're dark, warm, sheltered, and secluded. Bats are very good at finding and accessing home vents. Sometimes, bats fly all the way through the vent and into your space.

Do bats hate light?

Bats are nocturnal animals that have adapted to a life in darkness, partly to avoid predation during daylight hours from bird of prey species such as sparrowhawks. Therefore the artificial lighting of bat roosts, access points and foraging pathways can be extremely disturbing to bats and should be avoided.

Is there a sound to scare bats away?

Bats rely on ultrasound to echolocate for foraging and navigation. Broadcasting ultrasonic sounds at the frequency range which bats use for echolocation may act as a deterrent by interfering with their ability to perceive echoes.

Do bats fear humans?

All healthy bats try to avoid humans by taking flight and are not purposely aggressive.

Are bats attracted to light?

A conspicuous and long known effect on some bat species is the attraction to light.

Can bats spread rabies without biting?

Rabies is nearly always transmitted through a bite. Although rare, exposures can also occur from contact between infected saliva or nervous tissues and open wounds or the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, or mouth. The principal source of rabies exposure from bats is through careless handling.

How soon after bat exposure do you need rabies shot?

In the United States, PEP consists of a regimen of one dose of immune globulin and four doses of rabies vaccine over a 14-day period. Rabies immune globulin and the first dose of rabies vaccine should be given by your health care provider as soon as possible after exposure.

Can you get rabies if a bat flies near you?

People cannot get rabies just by being near a bat. There is no evidence that anyone can contract rabies by breathing air near bats in a building or yard. Two cases of airborne transmission were suspected to have occurred over 40 years ago within unique cave environments.

What should I do if I touched a bat?

If you touch the bat (or think you or your pet or child could have touched the bat), call Public Health immediately at 206-296-4774. Anyone who touched or had contact with the bat or its saliva could be at risk of getting rabies, which is almost always fatal once symptoms begin.

Will bats fly into you at night?

Bats do not usually come into contact with people since they are active at night.

Would I know if a bat touched me?

Most people who have been bitten by a bat report a stinging or needle prick sensation. However, bat bites may not be noticed, especially if someone is asleep, and bat bites may leave little or no evidence of a wound or puncture.

Can you get sick if a bat touches you?

Bats play key roles in ecosystems around the globe. They also can carry diseases, including rabies. The best way to protect yourself and bats is to stay away from them and get medical care if you come in contact with them.