One day last week when I went to the office, all the talk was about a little bat that somehow got in the office and was hanging from one of the ceiling tiles. One of our brave agents promptly scooped the bat up in a plastic container and put the container into the dumpster. Well, having not witnessed this capture, and being the animal lover that I am, I had to go look in the dumpster to make sure that the container was not sealed up, so that this little invader could find his/her way to safety outdoors. Sure enough, the little bat was free, inside the dumpster (it even posed for a nice photo (courtesy of my manager)). I had never seen a bat close up and was surprised about how tiny and cute it was. I believe, after looking on-line, that this variety is a "brown bat".
Later that day, I heard more talk about bats being in my daughter's friend's chimney! So, with that, I gathered some information to educate myself about bat-proofing, in case one of these cute, but dirty, little creatures might want to take up residency in my home. For more information, contact your county health department.
First, and most importantly, it is important to know that most of the recent human rabies cases in the US have been caused by rabies virus from bats. If you ever get bitten by a bat (even if it does not break the skin), you need to seek medical advice immediately. The bat should be captured and sent to a laboratory for rabies testing. The same holds true if your pet has come in contact with a bat, and it is important to keep pet vaccinations current.
Bat-Proofing:
Carefully examine your home for holes that might allow bats entry into your living quarters. Any openings larger than a quarter-inch by half-inch should be caulked. Use window screens, chimney caps and draft guards beneath doors to attics, fill electrical and plumbing holes with steel wool or caulking and ensure that all outside doors close tightly.
If you have bats roosting in your attic, observe where they exit at dusk and cover the exterior entry points by hanging clear plastic or bird netting loosely over these areas. Adult bats will be able to escape by crawling out from behind the loosely hung barrier and will not be able to re-enter. During summer months (May through August), however, young bats may not yet be able to fly, so if you exclude the adult bats, the young may be trapped inside and die or find their way into living quarters. This is why fall and winter are the best times to bat-proof your home.
Common bat entry points include the chimney, through vents, behind shutters, under eaves, under siding and under shingles.
If a bat makes it's way into your home, it is best to contact animal control for help in removal of the bat, just for safety's sake. If no professional help is available, and there is no other choice but to take matters into your own hands, be extremely careful. It is recommended that you wear leather gloves and you will also need a coffee can or other container, a piece of cardboard and tape. When the bat lands, approach it slowly. While wearing the gloves, place the coffee can over the bat. Slide the cardboard under the container to trap the bat inside. Tape the cardboard to the can securely and punch small holes in the cardboard so the bat can breath. It is recommended to contact your health department or animal control for rabies testing. Another option is to confine the bat to a room with a window...open the window and the bat will probably leave on its own.
Contrary to many people's thoughts about bats, they are not blind. They are not rodents and are not birds. They will not suck your blood and most do not have rabies. Although bats are not desirable in our homes, they are beneficial to our ecosystem. They are major predators of night flying insects. These insects are agricultural pests and cost farmers billions of dollars annually. Seed dispersal and pollination by bats are vital to rain forest survival. Studies of bats have contributed to medical advances, including development of navigational aids for the blind.
For more information about bats, rabies and other potential health hazards, contact your local health department or public health agency.
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Marie Lally
O'Brien Realty
Direct: 301-748-8698 (Best Number to Reach Me!)
Office: 301-884-7400
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