Bats are fascinating animals, but when they share space with your family, they can quickly become a source of concern. A common question we hear is, “Do bats bite?” The short answer is yes, bats can bite if they feel threatened or cornered. While most bats aren’t aggressive, their bite can pose serious health risks because bats can carry rabies. Thankfully, these risks can be minimized with proper precautions.

Protecting your home and family from rabies starts with bat bite prevention and knowing how to keep them out of your living space. Avoid direct contact with bats, and never attempt to handle them on your own. Instead, work with professionals like us at Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control in Kitchener-Waterloo. With expertise and humane methods, we can help you keep bats out of your home safely and effectively.

Can Bats Spread Rabies?

One of the most common concerns about bats is their ability to spread rabies. Do bats carry rabies? Yes, some do. However, not every one you encounter will be infected. They’re a significant source of rabies transmission to humans in North America, and while the percentage of infected bats is small, the consequences of coming into contact with one can be severe. Rabies is a deadly virus that attacks the nervous system, and it’s almost always fatal once symptoms appear.

The virus can be transmitted through bites or scratches, and even a tiny wound that may not break the skin can carry risks. This is why bat bite prevention is crucial. Because they can bite when scared or trapped, it’s important never to handle them, even if they appear harmless.

Symptoms of rabies in humans may include fever, headache, and confusion, which can progress quickly to more severe effects. If you suspect a potential exposure to rabies, always seek medical attention immediately.

Bat Bite Prevention 101

Keeping your family safe from bats begins with effective prevention. By taking proactive steps, you can significantly lower your risk of exposure to rabies. Here’s how to protect your family from bats and keep your home wildlife-free:

• Block Their Entry Points: They can squeeze through openings as small as a dime. The first step in preventing an infestation is to identify and seal these gaps. Common entry points include vents, rooflines, soffits, chimneys, and small cracks in your home’s exterior.
• Inspect Your Attic Regularly: Your attic is the most common area for bats to roost. Inspect it for signs of bat activity, such as droppings or noise during dusk. Regular inspections can help catch a bat problem early before it escalates.
• Install a Chimney Cap: Chimneys are a favourite route for bats to enter homes. Installing a chimney cap can prevent them from slipping in without disrupting the function of your fireplace.
• Use Proper Lighting Outside: Bats are less likely to linger around well-lit areas. Motion-activated outdoor lights near your home can deter them from getting too close.

Taking these precautions can make your home less appealing to bats, keeping your family safe.

Understanding the Risks of Bats in Your Home

It’s easy to underestimate the risks of sharing your home with bats. While they play a vital role in controlling insect populations, they can create major problems indoors.

Here are some key risks to be aware of if they find their way inside your home:

Health Hazards

Bats can carry dangerous diseases that can affect your family’s health. One of the most serious is rabies, which can be spread through a bite or scratch. Rabies is often fatal if not treated right away, so it’s vital to avoid close contact with bats. Another concern is histoplasmosis, a lung infection caused by breathing in fungal spores found in bat droppings. These spores can spread throughout your attic or home if the droppings are disturbed, putting your health at risk. Ensuring bats stay out of your home helps eliminate these dangers.

Structural Damage

Bat droppings, or guano, can do a lot more harm than just making a mess. Over time, guano causes strong, unpleasant odours that are difficult to get rid of without professional cleaning. The droppings can also stain walls, ceilings, and floors, leaving lasting marks. If the buildup of guano becomes too heavy, it can actually weaken the structure of your home, such as wooden beams or insulation. By preventing these animals from entering, you can avoid expensive repairs and protect your home’s structure.

Unexpected Bites

While bats don’t usually attack people, they might bite if they feel cornered or scared. A bat hiding in your home could end up in a space where people or pets accidentally disturb it. Bite wounds may be small and easy to miss, but they can still spread rabies if the bat is infected. This makes even the smallest bite potentially dangerous. Keeping bats out of your home is the best way to reduce the risk of bites and protect your family and pets.

By understanding these risks, you can take steps to keep bats away and protect your family. Taking action early will give you peace of mind and help keep both your loved ones and your home safe.

Protecting Your Home From Bats

Protecting your family from bats is closely tied to protecting your home. Bats are most active in the evening, so you’ll want to secure your home during daylight hours when they are less likely to move around. Here are a few steps to protect your home: 

• Seal all entry points with durable, bat-proof materials. Common areas to check include windows, vents, doors, and rooflines.
• Cover your chimney with a mesh cap to prevent bats from sliding down.
• Install fine mesh screens over attic vents to block access.
• Maintain your home by repairing any broken shingles, loose siding, or gaps in the roofline.

Taking these preventive measures improves your home’s defences and keeps unwanted visitors out. For help with any of these steps, you can count on us at Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control.

What Should You Do If You Find a Bat in Your Home?

Spotting a bat in your home can be a startling experience, but it’s important to stay calm. Do not attempt to handle the animal yourself, as even seemingly docile bats can bite.

Here’s what to do instead:

• Isolate the Bat if Possible: Close any doors to the room it’s in and keep pets and family members out. If it’s flying, try to gently direct it toward an open window or door to allow it to exit on its own.
• Contact Professionals: Call us at Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control in Kitchener-Waterloo. We’ll safely and humanely remove the bat and inspect your home for entry points.
• Seek Medical Attention if Necessary: If you or a family member has been bitten or scratched, immediately wash the wound with soap and water and seek medical advice. Rabies shots may be necessary if there’s a chance the bat carried the virus.

Safeguard Your Home and Peace of Mind

Do bats carry rabies? Yes, they can, and the risks associated with bats in your home are no small matter. Protect your family from bats by choosing professional removal services to handle the issue safely. At Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control in Kitchener-Waterloo, we use effective and humane techniques, like one-way doors, to keep bats out for good.

Request an estimate today and give your family the protection they deserve. We’ll help secure your home and ensure you can feel safe and comfortable, free from the concerns of a bat infestation.