First, you need to locate where the bat is in the house.

When trying to locate the bat make sure to use thick, preferably leather, gloves and a flashlight, and NEVER put your hand somewhere before looking. 

Here are some places you should check: 

1. Check high first, behind curtains and wall hangings.
2. Check low, on the floor under items (bats can crawl).
3. Generally bats can be anywhere, and they can fit in holes with diameters of 3/8 inch.

If the bat begins to fly, stay calm. Do not let the bat out of the house unless you are certain that no one has been exposed to the bat, and you should consult your state’s health department for the bat rabies protocols. 

To capture the bat (in order to release from your house):

1. Wait for the bat to tire and land.
2. Wearing thick, leather gloves, use a large-mouth glass or plastic container to trap the bat.
3. Then, take a stiff piece of paper and slide it between the wall / surface and the rim of the wide-mouth container, thereby trapping the bat inside.
4. Secure the bat inside.

If no exposures to the bat took place, then it may be released. The proper release procedure is to:

1. Place the trapped bat against a tree
2. Then slide the paper out and remove the container.

Releasing the bat against the tree allows the bat to continue to rest while being safe from potential predators like the neighbor’s cat. This method also has the advantage of being harmless to the bat.

Related Content

• Bat Control 
• CDC-Rabies

Find more information about pests in eXtensions Pest Management In and Around Structures Resource Area.

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