When people see a bat they become immediately concerned. Bats have become associated with rabies, and like most mammals, they can contract rabies, but the percentage of bats who have rabies is less than one percent. If you see a bat that looks sick, they typically don’t look to attack humans, they more often look for a place to die by themselves. Here is what to do if you do happen to see a bat.
If you do come across a bat, you want to make sure you don’t get bitten. This would be how a bat who had rabies would transfer it to you. The best thing you can do if you have to handle a bat is to wear gloves to protect yourself. If you do get bitten by a bat seek medical attention immediately. If someone finds themselves in a room and can’t say for certain that they didn’t have physical contact with the bat should get checked for rabies, just to be sure.
If you see a bat hanging from a tree or wall and think it may be hurt or sick, it’s best to wait until dusk or night time and see if the bat goes away on its own. If you see a bat laying on the floor, put the bat in a ventilated box away from children or other animals. If you happen to find a bat in your home or attic, open all the doors and windows to see if the bat will leave on its own. With bats, just like all wild animals, it’s best to call an animal removal service like Baystate Wildlife, if you become concerned or don’t want to handle the bat yourself.
We are trained professionals who can help you safely remove bats and all wildlife in and around your home. If you see a bat and don’t know what to do – call us at (781) 830-6080 or contact us on our website. To learn more about bat removal check out our website as well.