Animal Bites and Rabies

Rabies and Bats

When people think about bats, they often imagine things that are not true. Bats are not blind. They are neither rodents nor birds. They will not suck your blood -- and most do not have rabies. Bats play key roles in ecosystems around the globe, from rain forests to deserts, especially by eating insects, including agricultural pests.

How can I tell if a bat has rabies?

Rabies can only be confirmed through laboratory testing. However, any bat that is active in the day, found in a place where bats are not usually seen (for example, in a room of your house or on your lawn), or is unable to fly, is far more likely to have rabies.

What should I do if I come in contact with a bat?

If a bat bites you, or if infectious material (such as saliva) from a bat gets into your eyes, nose, mouth, or a wound – wash the affected area thoroughly with soap and water and get medical advice immediately. Whenever possible the bat should be captured and sent to a lab for rabies testing.

Bats have small teeth and bites may not be easily seen, therefore people do not always know if they have been bitten by a bat. If you awaken to find a bat in your room, see a bat in the room of an unattended child, or see a bat near a mentally impaired or intoxicated person, seek medical advice and have the bat tested.

What should I do if my pet is exposed to a bat?

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.

What can I do if I have bats in my house?

If a bat is present in your home and you cannot rule out the possibility of exposure, leave the bat alone and contact the animal control officer at the police department for assistance. If professional help is not available, use these steps to protect yourself:

• Close the windows, closet doors, and door to the room.
• Turn on the lights if the room is dark and wait for the bat to land.
• Wear thick gloves and cover the bat with a small clear or transparent container.
• Slide a piece of cardboard or the lid under the clear or transparent container, trapping the bat.
• Tape the cardboard or lid tightly to the can and punch holes in the top allowing the bat to breathe.

Immediately contact the Department of Health (222-2577) to have the bat tested for rabies and for post-exposure treatment advice.

How can I "bat-proof" my house?

Some bats live in buildings and there may be no reason to get rid of 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 "bat-proof" your home yourself, follow these suggestions:

• Carefully examine your home for holes that might allow bats entry to the home.
• Any openings larger than ¼ inch by ½ 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.
• Ensure that all doors to the outside close tightly.
• Observe where the bats exit at dusk and exclude them by loosely hanging clear plastic sheeting or bird netting over these areas (bats can leave, but can not reenter).
• After bats have been excluded, the openings can be permanently sealed.
• Avoid exclusion from May through August because many young bats are unable to fly and may die trapped inside or make their way into living quarters.
• Most bats leave to hibernate in fall or winter, so this is the best time to "bat-proof."

How can I safely capture a bat in my home?

If a bat is present in your home, leave the bat alone and contact an animal-control or public health agency for assistance. If professional help is unavailable, use precautions to capture the bat safely, as described below.

What you will need:

• Leather work gloves
• Small clear or transparent container with a cover or lid
• Tape

When the bat lands, approach it slowly, while wearing the gloves, and place the small container over it. Slide the lid under the container to trap the bat inside. Tape the container securely with the lid, and punch small holes in the cover or lid, allowing the bat to breathe. Contact your health department or animal-control authority to make arrangements for rabies testing .

For questions on:

Capturing bats - call the State Rabies Laboratory at (401) 222-6041

How to have a bat analyzed for rabies - call (401) 222-2577

Suspected animal(s) having rabies - call the State Vet (DEM) at (401) 222-2781 ext 4503