| Homeowners should take measures to remove any bats from
their house, even if the bats are in the attic.
If there is a bat in your home and you are certain there has been no
exposure to humans or pets, close all doors or windows to the room
except those to the outside. If the bat doesn't leave, it can be
captured using the steps listed below and released away from people and
pets.
If there is any possibility at all that the bat may have come in contact with
humans or pets, call for professional help to capture the bat so that
health officials can determine if it has rabies. If no
help is available, follow these steps to capture the bat yourself:
- Wear leather gloves. Do not attempt to capture a bat
barehanded.
- Use a small container such as a box or coffee can, a piece of
cardboard large enough to cover the top, and tape.
- When the bat lands, approach it and place the container over it.
- Slide the cardboard under the container to trap the bat inside.
- Tape the cardboard to the container securely.
- Punch holes in the cardboard so the bat can breathe.
- Make arrangements to have the bat tested by contacting the
Animal Control Officers for your city. The bat is ultimately
shipped to Kansas State University for testing. If you would
like to prepare the specimen yourself, see
Procedures for Submitting Specimens
for Rabies Testing. Note that small animals such as
bats do not have to have the head removed.
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