Bats and Rabies

Now that it is almost summer, bat sightings are more common in parts of Texas. Some that migrated south to spend the winter in warmer climates have returned and the peak of the maternity season for bats is from May through August.

Young bats may not be adept at flying just yet, so some may end up on the ground. Also, the mother bat may carry her young with her as she flies. She may occasionally land on the ground and rest awhile. In either case, bats may be encountered on the ground during the summer. Although they may not be sick, people need to avoid direct exposure with any bat.

If a bat comes into contact with a person, an adult should attempt to capture the bat without direct skin contact. If the bat is not available for testing, a physician or local health department should be contacted to assess the exposure.

If a person finds a bat in a building, there has been NO human or pet exposure, and an adult is available and willing, capture the bat and release it outside in an area distant from people. The adult should wear gloves and use a paper, shovel (gently), or other object to pick up the bat. A bat may look dead, but "comes to life" when it is picked up. For bats on walls in a building:

• Cover the bat with a coffee can or a box.
• Gently slip a piece of paper between the can or box and the wall so that the bat is trapped inside the container. The paper serves as a lid.
• Transport the bat in the container.

Most cities have animal control officers who will be happy to help with the bat removal.

The maternity season (May to August) is not an ideal time to exclude bats that have taken up residence in a building attic or other roost because the young are not yet able to fly. If exclude adults now, you may trap young in the roost. The bat exclusion techniques are best applied in early spring or in the fall.

Bats like to swoop down and grab a drink from standing water, such as a farm pond or swimming pool. They are not attacking people in or around the pond or pool. If a bat is ill, it could end up crashing into the pool. Homeowners sometimes find a dead bat floating in the pool or in the pool's "skimmer." In either case, the health risk to people who might swim in the pool is remote.

The rabies virus does not live well outside the animal.
Any virus in the bat would be diluted by the volume of water in the pool.
The chlorine in the pool water would inactivate the virus.