Bats getting into homes is a common occurrence, especially during summer months when young bats start exploring outside the roost. If you discover a bat in your bedroom, you may wonder if it is safe to sleep there.
Here’s a quick answer: No, you should not sleep in a room with a bat due to health and safety concerns. Bats can transmit diseases through bites or scratches and their droppings can also pose health risks.
In this comprehensive guide, we will cover whether you can sleep in a room after finding a bat, what health risks bats pose, how to remove a bat safely, and how to bat-proof your home to prevent future encounters.
Dangers of Sleeping in a Room with a Bat
Risk of Rabies Exposure
Bats are the most common source of human rabies infections in the United States. The rabies virus is found in the bat’s saliva and is usually transmitted to people through bites. However, you can also get rabies if the bat’s saliva comes into contact with open wounds or mucous membranes.
Rabies attacks the central nervous system and causes inflammation of the brain and spinal cord. Without prompt treatment, rabies is almost always fatal. According to the CDC, around 5,000 people receive rabies postexposure prophylaxis yearly after potential exposure to rabies virus from bats.
Even if you don’t see an obvious bite or scratch, sleeping in a room with a bat poses a rabies risk if there was any possibility of contact while you were unconscious. Bats have very small teeth that may leave marks that are difficult to see.
Rabies can be prevented if postexposure prophylaxis is given before symptoms start, so it’s important to alert your doctor about any bat encounters.
Histoplasmosis Infection
Histoplasmosis is a lung infection caused by a fungus called Histoplasma capsulatum. Bats are natural carriers of this fungus. The spores are found in bat droppings and can become airborne when the guano is disturbed. Breathing in these spores in an enclosed space can make you sick.
Histoplasmosis infection rates are much higher in areas where bat guano accumulates in buildings, such as attics or basements.
The symptoms of histoplasmosis resemble pneumonia – fever, chest pain, dry cough, headache, loss of appetite, and fatigue. Most people recover without treatment, but it can be severe in people with compromised immune systems.
There have also been rare cases of fatal histoplasmosis in healthy adults after heavy exposure in bat caves or buildings with bat colonies. Keeping bats out of your living quarters is important to avoid hazardous guano accumulation.
Physical Harm from Bites and Scratches
While unprovoked attacks are uncommon, bats will bite in self-defense if handled or unintentionally touched. Their sharp teeth can leave deep, painful puncture wounds. Bats also have very sharp claws and can scratch skin if they become trapped in bedding.
Besides the trauma of the bite or scratch itself, the wound is at high risk of infection because of bacteria from the bat’s mouth entering the bloodstream.
Bat bites require prompt medical care. The CDC advises immediately washing the wound with soap and water, applying an antibiotic ointment, getting a tetanus shot if you haven’t had one in five years, and contacting your doctor and local health department about possible rabies postexposure treatment.
Even if you are certain the bat is rabies-free, you need antibiotics to prevent complications like cellulitis or systemic illness from pathogens like Pasteurella multocida which are found in normal oral flora of many bat species.
Proper Bat Removal and Exclusion
Contact Bat Removal Professionals
Trying to remove bats from your home on your own can be extremely challenging and even dangerous. Bats can carry diseases like rabies, so you want to avoid direct contact with them. That’s why it’s highly recommended to hire a professional bat removal company.
They have the proper gear, training and experience to safely remove bats without harming them or you.
A wildlife removal pro will inspect your home to find all the areas where bats are entering. They can then develop a customized plan to seal up those entry points and evict any remaining bats using humane exclusion devices. This ensures the bats leave but can’t get back in.
DIY attempts often fail because not all entry points get sealed up.
Most bat removal experts are also properly vaccinated against rabies. This offers you peace of mind knowing that even if they are bitten or scratched, they won’t contract the disease or spread it. Always confirm any company you hire is licensed, bonded and insured for liability reasons.
Seal Entry Points
Bats can squeeze through incredibly small spaces to get into a home. Any gap or hole larger than a quarter-inch by half-inch needs to be sealed shut after bats are excluded. Common entry points include:
- Around chimneys
- Under loose roof shingles or tiles
- Through attic vents and eaves
- Around windows or doors
- Through holes in exterior walls
Professional bat excluders have the proper materials and expertise to thoroughly seal even the smallest gaps bats use. Materials like stainless steel mesh, caulk, foam sealant, hardware cloth and one-way exclusion tubes can all be used.
If any openings are missed, bats will just find their way back into the home.
Use One-Way Doors or Tubes
Humane one-way exclusion devices allow bats to leave a home but not re-enter. These funnel-shaped devices are placed over entry points bats use. The bats are still able to fly out through the wide bottom opening but the tapered top prevents them from coming back in.
Another option is to hang one-way exclusion tubes. These plastic tubes have slats inside that let bats push through to leave. Again, the flap over the outside opening allows exit but stops re-entry. These are hung the evening bats go out to feed.
Within a few days, all bats will have left and the tubes can be removed and holes sealed.
Using one-way exclusion devices ensures bats are able to safely leave on their own without being trapped inside or harmed. Mother bats will not abandon their young, so this method prevents orphaned baby bats. Humane exclusion is always the best practice for getting rid of bats.
Cleaning and Disinfecting After Bats
Wear Protective Gear
When cleaning up after bats, it’s crucial to protect yourself from potential diseases. Here are some tips for gearing up safely:
- Wear gloves, long sleeves and pants to avoid contact with bat droppings, urine or saliva.
- Use a respiratory mask or respirator to avoid breathing in particles from guano or urine.
- Put on protective eyewear in case any guano dust gets kicked up.
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after removing gear.
It’s better to be safe than sorry! Bat droppings can contain viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites. Protecting yourself reduces the risk of contracting diseases like rabies or histoplasmosis from bat waste.
Disinfect Surfaces and Areas Near Droppings
Thoroughly clean and disinfect any surfaces or materials that have been in contact with bats or their droppings. Here are some tips:
- First, use soap and water to wash down affected areas.
- Apply a disinfectant registered by the EPA as effective against the rabies virus. Chlorine bleach solutions can also be effective.
- Soak or wipe down all affected areas and let the disinfectant sit for 10 minutes before rinsing.
- Discard any items that can’t be adequately disinfected, like ceiling tiles or insulation.
- Steam clean carpets, rugs and upholstery that may be contaminated.
Properly disinfecting areas exposed to bats reduces the risk of disease transmission. According to the CDC, the rabies virus is easily killed by standard disinfectants.
Clean Up Guano and Urine Safely
Bat guano and urine should be cleaned up promptly and carefully to avoid health risks. Follow these safety guidelines:
- Do not sweep or vacuum droppings when dry, as this kicks up particulate matter.
- Lightly mist guano with water before wiping it up with paper towels or a sponge.
- Place waste in double plastic bags tied securely, then dispose of properly.
- Do not use ammonia or bleach-based cleaners, as this releases harmful vapors.
- After cleanup, thoroughly disinfect any contaminated tools or supplies.
Bat urine and droppings should never be handled with bare hands. The CDC notes that the greatest risk of histoplasmosis transmission is through airborne spores from disturbed guano. Proper protective gear and cleaning techniques reduce your risk.
Bat-Proofing Your Home
Inspect House for Cracks and Crevices
The first step in bat-proofing is thoroughly inspecting the interior and exterior of your home for any cracks or openings that could allow bats entry. Pay particular attention around windows, doors, attic vents, chimneys, and areas where walls meet the roofline or siding.
Bats can squeeze through gaps as small as 3/8 inch wide, so meticulously check for even tiny cracks. Use a flashlight to peer inside crevices and look for signs of bat presence like guano droppings or staining.
Seal Up Entry Points
After identifying any potential bat entryways, properly seal them shut with caulk, spray foam, steel wool, or other exclusion materials. Sealing should be done in the fall after bats have migrated away or in the spring before females return to roost and give birth.
Completely close off all gaps, cracks and holes on the inside and outside of the home so there is no way for bats to get in. Pay special attention to sealing off attic and soffit vents while still allowing ventilation. Cover chimneys when not in use.
Replace damaged screens, loose siding, old doors and windows.
Install Exclusion Devices
One-way exclusion devices can also be installed to allow bats to exit a roost but not allow them back in. Typical exclusion devices include tubes, cones or valves that bats can crawl through to leave but not re-enter.
They are humane ways to remove bats without harming them while preventing their return. Exclusion devices require expert placement based on bat behavior, so contact a wildlife exclusion professional if going this route.
Implementing proper bat-proofing exclusion techniques, especially the meticulous sealing of possible entry points, is key to preventing bats from roosting in your home. Bat infestations should always be handled humanely by wildlife experts.
What To Do If You Are Exposed to a Bat
Bats are amazing creatures, but they do carry diseases that can be transmitted to humans. If you find a bat in your home or have had any physical contact with one, it’s crucial to take proper safety measures.
Capture the Bat Safely
If the bat is still present, do not attempt to touch it with your bare hands as this can expose you to bites or scratches. Wear thick gloves and capture the bat in a container if possible. If you can’t capture it, take note of where it landed or is roosting and exit the room, closing doors behind you to contain it.
Identify the Bat
Try to take photos of the bat or identify key characteristics like size, color, and features. This will help animal control or health authorities identify if it is a species that carries rabies, which informs treatment.
Contact Animal Control
Call animal control, wildlife authorities, or a bat removal professional right away. They will safely extract the bat and may take it for rabies testing if you reported any exposure or the bat was acting oddly.
Get Medical Treatment If Exposed
If you wake up with a bat in your room, find one in the room of a child or disabled person, see bite marks or scratches, or have any other physical contact, seek medical care immediately. Rabies post-exposure treatment is essential within 72 hours.
Treatment involves getting a tetanus shot and a series of rabies vaccinations over two weeks. While it may seem an annoyance after an encounter with a wayward bat, fast medical care can be life-saving!
Disinfect the Surrounding Area
Thoroughly clean any surfaces the bat touched with soap and water first, then with a disinfectant. Wash bedding, towels, clothing, or other fabrics the bat contacted separately in hot water.
Work with Pest Control
Seal up any openings the bat may have entered through. A pest control expert can identify gaps in siding, attics, chimneys, or elsewhere that require patching up. This will prevent recurrence of bats and exclude other wildlife.
While startling, bats are more scared of you and just trying to raise their pups! With some care and prevention, we can coexist safely with these special creatures in our midst.
Conclusion
While having a bat fly through your bedroom can be startling, it is important not to panic. With proper removal, cleaning precautions, and bat-proofing measures, you can protect yourself from disease exposure and prevent future bat encounters.
The key is contacting bat removal professionals to humanely extract the bat rather than attempting removal on your own. Then be sure to properly disinfect the area and seal up any entry points in your home.
