It is important to be careful how you remove a bat from your home. It can be done safely and humanely!
We have all had this visitor in our homes at some time or another. In most cases, you will want to avoid extermination. Bats are very friendly to the outside environment, being avid insect eaters. One bat can eat over 500 mosquitoes in an hour! Some people even build bat houses outside to help with mosquito problems. Most bat species only have one baby per year. So it takes bat populations a long time to recover from mass extermination. Contrary to popular belief, bats are not birds, but flying mammals.
However, indoors, they become a nuisance and can pose a health hazard! Most single bats found in the home are young and inexperienced bats who have strayed from their colony, and it usually happens in the late summer when the youngsters have just learned how to fly. They can become very confused, get lost and turn up in places where they don't belong!
Although bats are not dangerous, they can be carriers of rabies and Histoplasmosis, a fungal disease caused by inhalation of the dust of bat and bird droppings (also called guamo).
Open Doors and Windows
The first rule of thumb is to try to allow the bat to escape from an open door or window. Waiting until it turns dark outside will be more effective.
Capturing and Handling the Bat
If you do plan to handle the bat, ensure you wear thick gloves. Bats usually will not show aggression even while being chased, but they may bite if caught and handled, as would any wild animal.
One quick and safe method is to place a large can (a coffee can works best), or a wide mouthed jar, over the bat, then slip a piece of strong cardboard or heavy paper underneath the can to close the opening, and then release the bat gently outside.
Never catch a bat in flight as you may injure the animal.
If you still experience difficulty, call your local wildlife office. If the animal is hurt or injured, call your local humane office or wildlife sanctuary office for assistance.
