Dr. Wood: What to do when you find bats in your belfry (or anywhere else)

The autumn fog is rolling in, and Halloween is nearly here. It’s not just witches and ghouls that you need to keep an eye out for at this time of year. Bats sometimes visit people’s houses, and they can be a real hazard to your family, and to your pets.

Bats are quite small in this part of the country. They can tuck themselves into all kinds of cracks and crevices. While not everyone finds them cute, they can be a real draw for kids and pets alike.

The problem is that 3 percent to 10 percent of bats submitted for testing in Washington state are found to be rabid. Rabid bats have been found in almost every county in the state. In fact, they are the primary source of rabies in Washington, although raccoons, skunks and other wildlife also may carry the virus.

Exposure to rabies occurs through a bite or scratch, and is serious. Though rare, rabies is a disease that can be deadly. Bats are so tiny, a human or pet can be scratched or bitten and not even realize it.

If you, or your pet, have been bitten, treatment is available. Contact your doctor, veterinarian or local health department if you think a family member or pet may have been bitten, scratched or exposed. It’s better to be cautious than take chances with this deadly disease.

There are a few things you can do to protect your family and pets:

▪ Don’t not handle wild animals, especially bats.

▪ Teach your children never to touch or handle bats, even dead ones. Have your children tell an adult if they find a bat at home, at school, or with a pet.

▪ If you see a bat, leave it alone.

▪ Do not keep bats, or other wildlife, as pets.

▪ Keep bats out of your living space by bat-proofing your home. The state Fish & Wildlife Department has a detailed description of bats, where they like to live, and how to keep them out of your house in a document attached to the WFWD webpage.

▪ Vaccinate your pets against rabies. Pets can get rabies if bitten by a rabid animal. Protect them and yourself by getting them vaccinated routinely. Dogs, cats, and ferrets are now required to be vaccinated in Washington. Consult your veterinarian for vaccine recommendations. And learn more about the vaccination requirements from the Department of Health’s webpage.

▪ In Thurston County, unvaccinated pets that have been exposed to rabid wildlife may be subject to months of quarantine, or even euthanasia.

If you find a live bat in your home, don’t handle it. Call the Thurston County Health Department at 360-867-2667 so they can help determine if the bat needs to be tested for rabies. Bats can be safely captured for testing (find instructions on the Department of Health’s webpage). Do not release the bat if you think you or a family member may have been exposed.

Bats flying in the moonlight may be a welcome, and shiver-inducing, sight at this time of year, but the danger they present is real. Take steps this fall to keep bats out of your home, and away from your loved ones and pets.

This story was originally published October 14, 2017 at 6:29 AM with the headline "Dr. Wood: What to do when you find bats in your belfry (or anywhere else)."