Direct attacks by bats on humans are rare. While concerns about these nocturnal mammals exist, most bats are not aggressive and generally avoid human contact.
Understanding Bat Behavior
Bats are wild animals that typically avoid humans. A healthy bat will usually fly away from people. Their primary activities involve foraging for insects, fruits, or nectar, depending on the species. Most bats are insectivores, consuming large quantities of mosquitoes and other insects, which benefits ecosystems.
When bats do come into contact with humans, it is often accidental or a defensive reaction. A bat might bite if it feels threatened, is trapped, or is handled. For example, a bat disoriented inside a home might attempt to escape, potentially brushing against or biting a person. Bats flying near people at night are usually hunting insects attracted to lights or the carbon dioxide in human breath. Their echolocation allows them to navigate with precision, making accidental collisions unlikely.
Health Risks from Bats
The most significant health concern associated with bats is rabies, a nearly always fatal viral disease once symptoms appear. Rabies is transmitted through contact with infected saliva, typically from a bite or scratch. In the United States, bats are the most common source of human rabies infections.
Bat bites can be small, sometimes leaving only tiny, pinprick holes that are difficult to notice or may not bleed, making it possible for a person to be unaware of an exposure. Rabies symptoms in humans can take weeks to months to appear, but once they do, the disease progresses rapidly to severe neurological dysfunction, leading to death within days. Symptoms can initially resemble the flu, including fever and headache, before progressing to anxiety, confusion, hallucinations, and difficulty swallowing. While not all bats carry rabies, any contact should be taken seriously due to the disease’s severity.
Responding to a Bat Encounter
If a bat is found in a living space, remaining calm is important. First, clear the room of people and pets, then close interior doors to prevent the bat from moving to other areas of the house. Open windows or doors leading outside to provide an escape route for the bat, as it will likely try to exit on its own. Turning off indoor lights and any outdoor lights near the exit can encourage the bat to fly out.
If the bat does not leave, wait for it to land. Never try to handle a bat with bare hands; instead, wear thick work gloves. A common method involves placing a sturdy container, like a shoebox, over the bat and then sliding a piece of cardboard underneath to trap it. Once contained, release the bat outdoors away from people. If there’s any possibility of a bite, scratch, or contact with bat saliva, wash the affected area immediately with soap and water for several minutes. Seek immediate medical attention, even if the contact seems minor or if you are unsure if contact occurred, especially if the bat was found in a room with a sleeping or incapacitated person or an unattended child. The bat should be safely captured for rabies testing if possible, by contacting animal control or your local health department.
Preventing Bat Interactions
Preventing bats from entering homes is important for minimizing unwanted encounters. Inspect your home for potential entry points, as bats can fit through openings as small as 3/8 to 1 inch. Seal gaps and cracks in foundations, around windows, vents, and chimneys using caulk, wire mesh, or weather stripping. Installing screens on windows and chimney caps can also help.
Avoiding direct handling of bats is crucial; if a bat is found, do not touch it. Teaching children not to approach or play with bats further reduces the risk of accidental contact. Vaccinating pets, such as dogs, cats, and ferrets, against rabies is a necessary preventive measure, as they can also be exposed to the virus. Providing alternative roosting sites, such as bat houses, away from your home can encourage bats to inhabit designated areas.