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1. How do I capture a bat in the house?

Recommendations for bat capture in a building include:

- Wear gloves and avoid direct skin contact with the bat

- Avoid damage to the bat’s head

- Confine the bat to one room (close doors and windows)

- Turn on lights if room is dark

- Wait for the bat to land

- Cover the bat with a coffee can or similar container

- Slide a piece of cardboard under the can to trap the bat

- Tape the cardboard tightly to the can

- If necessary, use a net or long pole with a piece of duct tape (sticky side out) to capture bat

- Do not use glue board to capture bat (it can not be easily removed for rabies testing)

- Immediately contact local health authority to arrange for examination of the bat (see #2)

2. How can I learn more about bats and rabies?

Visit the Cortland County Health Department’s website.

3. In what situations with a bat would a person be considered “potentially exposed” to rabies?

Since 1990, 34 of 37 human rabies deaths among people who acquired the disease in the United States were as a result of bat rabies. Because people can develop rabies after unapparent exposures to bats, rabies treatment is recommended in situations in which there is a reasonable probability of exposure, such as:

- Direct physical contact with a bat

- Bat found in a room with a sleeping person

- Bat found in a room with an unattended child

- In some circumstances, bat found in close proximity to an unattended child outdoor

- Bat found in a room with an individual under the influence of alcohol or drugs or with other sensory or mental impairment

4. What should I do if I encounter a bat outside?

Avoid contact with a sick or dead bat on the ground. As soon as a grounded bat is found, it should be isolated to prevent further contact with people and animals. If you can isolate the bat, cover it with a pail or similar container and place a heavy object on top to secure it. Call the Cortland County Health Department at 607-753-5035 or, if after normal business hours, call 607-753-3311.

5. What should I do if I find a bat in my house?

If there is any chance that the bat had contact with a person or pet (see answer to question #1 above), the bat should be captured and tested for rabies. Then contact the Cortland County Health Department at 607-753-5035 or, if after normal business hours, call 607-753-3311.

If you are certain that there was no contact with a person or pet (for example, you saw the bat come into the house and never lost sight of it), close the room and closet doors, open the windows and watch the bat until it leaves.