You’re enjoying a peaceful evening in your Columbus backyard when you notice dark shapes swooping overhead. Your kids point excitedly at the flying animals, but then worry creeps in. Will those bats hurt your family? Should you rush everyone inside?

Do bats bite humans? You’re not alone in this fear. Most Columbus families don’t know the real facts about bat bites. You might think bats are aggressive or that any contact means automatic rabies shots.

The good news? Yes, bats can bite humans, but it’s not as scary as you think. Most bites happen when people try to handle these animals without proper protection. You have more control over bat safety than you realize. What you really need is the right knowledge about when and why bats might bite, plus proven bat bite prevention tips that work for Columbus families.

Bats rarely attack people on purpose. They’re actually more afraid of you than you are of them. However, a scared or sick bat might bite if cornered or touched. That’s why we at Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control always tell Columbus residents to never try handling bats yourself.

When Do Bats Actually Bite People?

They don’t go around looking for people to bite. These animals prefer to stay far away from humans. Most bat bites happen in specific situations that could have been avoided.

Common situations where bats might bite:

• When someone tries to pick up a bat with bare hands
• If the animal feels trapped in a small space with people nearby
• When a bat is sick or injured and can’t fly away
• If people corner one that’s trying to escape

Healthy bats flying around your yard at night won’t suddenly dive down to bite you. They’re busy hunting for insects and want nothing to do with people. The problems start when bats end up inside homes or when people try to help injured animals without knowing how to do it safely.

Most bat bites are tiny and might not even hurt much. Some people don’t even realize they’ve been bitten. This can be dangerous because bites can spread rabies, even if the bite seems small.

Signs a Bat Might Be in Trouble

Not all bats that end up near people are dangerous. But knowing the warning signs helps you keep your family safe. A healthy bat will fly away from people as fast as possible.

Watch out for bats that:

• Are lying on the ground during the day
• Seem unable to fly properly
• Act confused or aggressive
• Don’t try to escape when people get close
• Are found inside your house during daylight hours

If you see any of these signs, don’t get close to the bat. Keep your kids and pets away too. These could be signs that the animal is sick or hurt. Sick bats are more likely to bite because they’re scared and can’t get away normally.

Why Rabies Makes Bat Bites Serious

Rabies is the biggest worry with bat bites. This disease attacks the brain and is almost always deadly if not treated quickly. The good news is that most of them don’t have rabies. But since you can’t tell which ones do, every bite needs medical attention right away.

There are important facts about bats and rabies that Columbus families should know. Less than 1% of bats carry rabies, and rabies can only spread through bites or scratches. You can’t get rabies just from being near bats, and quick medical treatment after a bite prevents rabies from developing.

Some people think they need rabies shots after just seeing a bat. That’s not true. You only need treatment if the bat actually bit or scratched you. But because their teeth are so small, you might not notice a bite. That’s why doctors sometimes recommend shots if you wake up and find a bat in your bedroom.

Columbus families should take any contact with these animals seriously. Even if you think the bite is tiny, see a doctor right away. Waiting too long makes rabies treatment much harder.

Keeping Your Columbus Home Bat-Free

The best way to prevent bites is keeping family safe from bats by keeping these animals out of your house in the first place. Bats love attics, sheds, and other quiet spaces where they can sleep during the day. A few simple steps make your home much less attractive to these animals.

Check these common entry points:

• Small gaps under roof edges
• Broken window screens
• Open chimney tops
• Cracks around vents and pipes
• Loose boards on sheds or garages

Even tiny holes can let bats inside. These animals can squeeze through spaces as small as a quarter. Walk around your Columbus home regularly to look for new gaps or damage that might let them in.

If you find bats already living in your home, don’t try removing them yourself. Our professional wildlife control keeps your family safe while making sure the animals can leave without getting hurt.

What To Do If You Find Bats Inside

Finding a bat in your house can be scary, especially with kids around. Stay calm and follow these steps to keep everyone safe while helping the animal get out.

Safe steps for indoor bats:

• Close doors to keep the bat in one room
• Turn off lights and open windows or doors to the outside
• Keep people and pets in other rooms
• Wait for it to fly out on its own
• Never try to catch the bat with your hands

Most of the time, bats that get inside are just confused and want to leave. They usually fly out quickly once they find an open window or door. If it doesn’t leave after 20 minutes, or if it seems sick or hurt, call professionals for help.

Don’t use tennis rackets, brooms, or towels to try catching bats. This scares them and makes them more likely to bite. It can also hurt the animal, which isn’t necessary when safer methods work better.

Teaching Kids About Safety

Children need to understand that these aren’t pets or toys. Kids often want to help animals they find, but these creatures require special care that only adults with proper training should provide.

Important rules for kids:

• Never touch them with bare hands
• Tell an adult right away if you see one on the ground
• Don’t try to help injured animals yourself
• Stay away from areas where they might be sleeping
• Always wash hands after being near places where they live

Make sure your Columbus kids know these rules before they play outside at dusk when these animals are most active. Teaching them early helps prevent dangerous situations later.

Remember that these are actually helpful animals. They eat thousands of mosquitoes and other bugs every night. We want to keep them around, just not in our houses where they might cause problems.

When Professional Help Is Needed

Some problems are too big or dangerous for homeowners to handle alone. Professional wildlife control has the right tools and training to deal with these animals safely. We know how to remove them without hurting them or putting your family at risk.

You should call professionals when multiple animals are living in your home, when you can hear them in your walls or attic, or when they keep coming back after you seal entry points. Professional help is also needed if anyone in your family has been bitten or scratched, or if you find droppings in living areas of your house.

At Skedaddle, we use special one-way doors that let them leave your home but stop them from getting back in. This method is safe for both the animals and your family. We also help seal up entry points so new ones can’t move in later.

Simple Prevention Steps That Work

Keeping these animals away from your Columbus home doesn’t require expensive equipment or dangerous chemicals. Most prevention comes down to regular maintenance and common sense.

Easy prevention tips:

• Fix broken screens on windows and vents
• Seal gaps around pipes and wires
• Keep outdoor lights away from roof areas
• Trim tree branches that touch your house
• Check your roof for loose or damaged areas

These simple steps make your home less attractive to animals looking for places to sleep. Regular maintenance also helps with other wildlife problems and keeps your house in better shape overall.

Your Family’s Safety Comes First

Do bats bite humans? Yes, they can, but most bites happen when people don’t follow basic safety rules. Keeping your family safe from bats starts with respect for these helpful animals and knowing when to call for professional help.

Columbus families don’t need to fear bats, but you should take them seriously. Quick action after any bite, proper home maintenance, and professional wildlife control when needed keeps everyone safe. Remember these bat bite prevention tips, and your family can enjoy those summer evenings without worry.

If you’re dealing with bats in your Columbus home, we at Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control are here to help. Request an estimate today to learn more about our safe, effective removal services that protect both your family and these important animals.