If you catch a bat, keep it contained in a secure, ventilated container and avoid direct contact to prevent injury or disease exposure. Contact a licensed wildlife control professional or your local animal control right away for safe, legal handling and possible rabies testing.
Finding a bat in your home or catching one by accident can be both surprising and stressful. Acting quickly with the right safety steps is essential to protect yourself, follow the law, and ensure the bat is handled humanely.
Is It Legal to Keep or Relocate a Bat You Caught?
Bats are often protected by state and federal wildlife laws, which means you can’t simply keep one or release it wherever you choose. In many areas, there are strict rules about capturing, transporting, or relocating bats due to their role in the ecosystem and the risk of spreading diseases like rabies or white-nose syndrome.
Relocating a bat without proper knowledge or permits can result in fines and can harm the animal, especially if it’s displaced from its roost or colony. Before taking any action, contact local wildlife authorities or a licensed removal specialist who can guide you on safe, legal next steps.
Should You Release a Bat You Caught?
Releasing a bat may seem like the simplest solution, but it’s not always the safest or most responsible choice. If the bat appears sick, injured, or was found in a space where people were sleeping, it should be evaluated for rabies before release. Letting it go without assessment could put both people and other animals at risk.
If the bat is healthy, uninjured, and has had no direct contact with people or pets, it may be possible to release it at dusk near where it was caught. However, this should still be done under the guidance of a wildlife professional to ensure the bat can safely return to its habitat without harm.
What Safety Precautions Should You Take When Handling a Bat?
Bats can carry diseases such as rabies, so it’s critical to avoid direct skin contact at all times. Always wear thick gloves, long sleeves, and, if possible, a mask to reduce the risk of bites, scratches, or exposure to droppings. Even if the bat looks harmless, treat it with the same caution you would any wild animal.
Keep children and pets away from the area until the bat is secured and professional help is on the way. If you must move the bat into a container, do so calmly and gently to prevent injury to both you and the animal. Quick, safe containment reduces stress on the bat and minimizes health risks for you.
How Do You Safely Contain a Caught Bat?
The safest way to contain a bat is to use a sturdy container, such as a small box or plastic tub, with air holes for ventilation. Gently place the container over the bat, then slide a piece of cardboard underneath to trap it inside without direct contact. This method keeps both you and the bat safe while preventing escape.
Once the bat is secured, place the container in a quiet, dark area away from pets and people until a wildlife expert arrives. Avoid leaving it in extreme temperatures, as bats are sensitive to heat and cold. Proper containment ensures the bat stays calm and reduces the risk of injury or illness spreading.
Should You Call Animal Control or a Wildlife Removal Expert?
In most cases, contacting a professional is the safest and most effective way to handle a bat you’ve caught. Animal control or a licensed wildlife removal expert can assess the bat’s health, check for signs of rabies, and determine if it can be released or needs medical attention. They also follow local laws to ensure the removal process is legal and humane.
Wildlife experts have the proper equipment and training to minimize stress on the bat while keeping you safe. They can also inspect your home for entry points and recommend preventive measures so you don’t face the same problem again. This professional approach ensures both human and animal safety from start to finish.
What If the Bat Shows Signs of Rabies or Injury?
If the bat appears disoriented, unusually aggressive, or is struggling to fly, it may be sick or injured. Rabies symptoms in bats can include erratic flight, daytime activity, or difficulty moving, but the virus can also be present without obvious signs. Any bat that has been inside a living space, especially where people were sleeping, should be handled as a potential rabies risk.
Injured bats should be kept contained and handled only by trained professionals. A wildlife expert or animal control officer can arrange for safe transport to a rehabilitation center or testing facility if rabies is suspected. Acting quickly in these situations protects your health and gives the bat the best chance of proper care.
How Can You Prevent Bats from Entering Again?
Preventing future bat encounters starts with sealing potential entry points around your home. Check for gaps in roofing, siding, vents, and chimneys, and use durable materials like mesh or caulk to close them off. It’s best to do this after confirming no bats are currently inside, as sealing them in can cause harm and lead to foul odors.
You can also install chimney caps, vent covers, and bat-proof screens to block access without restricting airflow. Keeping outdoor lights away from entry points can reduce insect activity near your home, which in turn makes it less attractive to bats. Regular inspections will help you stay ahead of potential entry issues before they become problems.
When Is It Safe to Handle a Bat Yourself?
Handling a bat yourself is rarely recommended, but in certain situations it may be unavoidable. For example, if the bat is in an open area and you can safely place a container over it without risk of contact, you can temporarily contain it until help arrives. Even then, you should always wear protective gloves and avoid touching the bat directly.
It is generally safe to act only when there is no chance of bites or scratches and the bat shows no signs of illness or injury. Any close encounter should be followed by contacting a wildlife control professional to take over. This approach minimizes danger to you and ensures the bat is treated according to local laws and safety guidelines.
Call AAAC Wildlife Removal for Expert Bat Handling
Don’t take chances with your safety or the health of a bat you’ve caught. AAAC Wildlife Removal’s trained team specializes in safe, humane bat removal and follows all local regulations to ensure the process is done right. We can handle everything from containment and health assessment to sealing entry points, so you won’t have to worry about future visits.
Call us today to schedule your inspection and let our experts handle your bat problem quickly, legally, and with care. Your home stays protected, and the bat gets the best chance at a safe return to the wild.
Conclusion
Catching a bat is a situation that requires calm, careful action to protect both you and the animal. By using safe containment methods, avoiding direct contact, and following legal guidelines, you can handle the situation responsibly from start to finish.
Whenever possible, involve a licensed wildlife control professional who can ensure the bat is healthy, handle necessary testing, and release it in compliance with local regulations. Taking these steps not only resolves the immediate problem but also helps prevent future bat encounters in your home.
