Bats are perhaps some of our most misunderstood and under-appreciated wildlife, despite their ben­eficial­role­in­our­environment.­These­flying­mammals­are­vital­in­controlling­insect­populations­and­can­consume­nearly­their­body­weight­in­insects­each­night!­Unfortunately,­their­nocturnal­nature,­centuries­of­myths­and­misinformation,­and­negative­portrayal­in­popular­media­has­contributed­to­needless­fear­of­these­creatures­and­has­even­led­to­the­decline­of­numerous­bat­species.­Bat­popu­lations­in­North­America­are­decreasing­as­a­result­of­White­nose­Syndrome,­a­fungal­disease,­making­prevention­of­human­related­persecution­or­conflict­exceedingly­important.

coexist with Bats

Preventing Problems with BatsAlthough­bats­are­an­integral­component­of­our­environment,­occasionally­they­can­become­a­nuisance­species­when­they­interrupt­our­daily­lives­by­entering­homes,­schools,­or­other­structures.­Here­are­some­useful­tips­to­avoid­negative­inter­actions­with­bats­and­deal­with­nuisance­issues.

• Prevent­bats­from­entering­homes­and­buildings­by­repairing­damage­to­siding­or­other­areas­of­the­house­that­create­openings­for­bats­to­enter.­Use­appropriate­hardware/materials­to­prevent­access­through­chimneys,­vents,­or­other­structures.­For­more­information­go­to­batcon.org.

• Establish­a­bat­box­near­your­residence­to­encourage­bats­to­roost­somewhere­other­than­your­home­or­shed.­Plans­for­building­bat­boxes­can­be­found­online­from­numerous­websites­promoting­bat­conservation­and/or­wildlife­management.­Bat­Conservation­International has done the most research on bat­box­construction­and­placement­to­increase­the­chances­of­bats­occupying­the­box­(batcon.org).­In­general,­it­is­recommended­that­the­bat house be placed on a pole, not a tree, at least­10­feet­high­in­a­place­that­gets­seven­hours­of­direct­sunlight­in­the­summer.­They­should­also­be­placed­in­areas­where­they­will­not­be­frequently­disturbed­by­human­activity­and­where­guano­accumulation­will­not­be­problematic­(e.g.,­away­from­walkways,­children’s­play­areas,­etc.).

LAUREN SOBKOVIAK / FLICKR

MELISSA MCGAW / NCWRC

U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE

FAYNTASTIC PHOTOGRAPHY / FLICKR

North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission1751­Varsity­Drive,­Raleigh,­N.C.­27606

Bats Quick Facts: Do bats attack people?Contrary­to­popular­belief,­bats­do­not­attack­people­or­try­to­get­tangled­in­their­hair.­Bats­are­not­blind,­but,­to­aid­them­in­hunting­at­night,­they­do­have­sophisticated­echolocation­systems­that­allow­them­to­navigate­their­environment­and­detect­prey.­If­a­bat­can­locate­a­mosquito­in­mid­flight,­it­is­unlikely­that­they­would­accidentally­fly­into­a­human.­Often,­people­believe­they­are­being­attacked­when­in­reality­a­bat­just­happens­to­be­foraging­for­insects­near­the­indi­vidual,­typically­where­they­have­congregated­near­a­light­source­(e.g.­front­porch­light,­street­light,­etc.).­­

Don’t all bats have rabies?No.­Although­all­mammals­can­contract­rabies,­only­2–­4%­of­all­bats­tested­in­NC­test­positive­for­the­disease.­Additionally,­even­a­bat­that­has­rabies­will­typically­only­bite­a­human­in­self­defense­if­handled­

(as­will­a­healthy­bat).­It­is­never­recommended­that­anyone­touch­or­pick­up­a­bat,­particularly­one­that­is­suspected­to­be­diseased.­You­cannot­get­rabies­from­just­seeing­a­bat,­from­being­in­a­room­with­a­bat,­or­from­contact­with­bat­guano­(feces),­urine,­or­blood.

Are all bats bloodsuckers?While­it­is­true­that­there­are­bats­that­feed­on­blood,­no­bat­in­North­Carolina­is­a­hemovore­(animal­that­feeds­on­blood).­There­are­three­species­of­vampire­bats­that­exist­only­from­Mexico­through­South­America.­Surprisingly,­bats­that­feed­on­blood­do­not­puncture­their­victims­and­suck­their­blood­as­popular­media­suggests.­Actually,­these­bats­have­specially­adapted­incisors­that­slice­the­skin­like­a­razor­blade­and­which­allows­them­to­simply­lap­up­the­blood­with­their­tongue.

If you already have a problem with Bats:find out where bats are entering your residence. Station­someone­outside­of­your­home­around­dusk­to­determine­where­bats­are­exiting.­Do­a­thorough­inspection­of­all­potential­entry­points­such­as­small­holes,­cracks­in­fascia­or­siding,­and­spaces­around­utility­conduits.­Perma­nently­seal­all­of­the­potential­entry­points­while­leaving­the­entry­points­the­bats­are­using­open.­Then,­install­an­eviction­device­that­allows­the­bats­to­leave­but­prevents­them­from­re­entering.­Some­examples­include­using­screening­or­tubing.­For­more­information­and­directions­go­to­batcon.org.­Avoid­closing­up­holes­or­installing­exclu­sion­devices­from­May­1­through­July­31.­This­prevents­trapping­young­bats­inside­that­are­not­ready­to­leave­the­roost­and­still­require­parental­care.­Also,­it­reduces­the­chance­that­female­bats­will­get­into­the­living­space­while­trying­to­reach­their­pups.­Finally,­pups­may­wander­as­they­starve­and­end­up­in­the­living­space.

• Never­touch­or­pick­up­a­bat.­Although­they­will­not­attack­unprovoked­they­will­bite­in­self­defense.­If­there­is­a­bat­in­your­home­and­it­has­not­come­into­contact­with­a­person,­use­a­clear,­empty­box­and­a­piece­of­cardboard­to­capture­the­bat­and­release­it­outdoors.­

• If­you­are­bitten­by­a­bat­it­is­extremely­important­that­you­seek­medical­assistance.­Rabies­is­readily­prevented­by­post­exposure­vaccination,­but­is­almost­always­fatal­after­symptoms­appear.­Prompt­medical­attention­is­essential­following­a­bite­by­a­bat­or­other­mammal.­If­you­are­unsure­of­whether­a­family­member­or­pet­has­been­bitten,­seek­the­advice­of­a­medical­professional­such­as­your­primary­physician­or­county­health­depart­ment.­If­the­bat­can­be­safely­captured­(in­a­box­or­can)­it­should­be­sent­to­a­laboratory­for­testing­so­that­expen­sive­rabies­treatment­can­be­avoided­if­possible.

• If­you­need­assistance­removing­them­from­your­struc­ture,­contact­a­Wildlife­Damage­Control­Agent­(a­private­individual­who­charges­for­his/her­services).­A­list­of­agents­in­your­area­is­available­at­ncwildlife.org­under­“Have­a­Wildlife­Problem”.

U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE MICHAEL PENNAY / FLICKR