If you are bitten by a bat -- or if infectious material (such as saliva) from a bat gets into your eyes, nose, mouth, or a wound -- wash the affected area thoroughly and get medical attention immediately. Whenever possible, the bat should be captured and sent to a laboratory for
rabies testing.
People usually know when they have been bitten by a bat. However, because bats have small teeth which may leave marks that are not easily seen, there are situations in which you should seek medical advice, even in the absence of an obvious bite wound. Examples of such situations include the following:
- Waking up and finding a bat in your room
- Seeing a bat in the room of an unattended child
- Seeing a bat near a mentally impaired or intoxicated person.
In instances such as these, seek medical advice and have the bat tested.
People cannot get
rabies just from seeing a bat in an attic, in a cave, or at a distance. In addition, people cannot get rabies from having contact with bat guano (feces), blood, or urine, or from touching a bat on its fur (even though bats should never be handled).
If you think your pet or domestic animal has been bitten by a bat, contact a veterinarian or your health department for assistance immediately and have the bat tested for rabies. Remember to keep vaccinations current for cats, dogs, and other animals.
Bat Rabies: Bat-Proofing Your Home
Some bats live in buildings, and there may be no reason to evict them if there is little chance for contact with people. However, bats should always be prevented from entering rooms of your home.
For assistance with "bat-proofing" your home, contact an animal control or wildlife conservation agency. If you choose to do the "bat-proofing" yourself, here are some suggestions:
- Carefully examine your home for holes that might allow bats to enter your living quarters. Any openings larger than a quarter-inch by a half-inch should be caulked.
- Use window screens, chimney caps, and draft-guards beneath doors to attics, fill electrical and plumbing holes with stainless steel wool or caulking, and ensure that all doors to the outside close tightly.
- Observe where the bats exit at dusk and eliminate them by loosely hanging clear plastic sheeting or bird netting over these areas. Bats can crawl out and leave, but cannot re-enter. After the bats have left, the openings can be permanently sealed.
- During summer, many young bats are unable to fly. If you eliminate adult bats during this time, the young may be trapped inside and die, or make their way into living quarters. Thus, if possible, avoid elimination from May through August.
- Most bats leave in the fall or winter to hibernate, so these are the best times to "bat-proof" your home.
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