Health Concerns Associated With Bats
Bats are beneficial animals and an important part of our environment, but bats living inside homes, businesses, schools, hospitals and other occupied buildings can create health and sanitation concerns.
Two of the best-known health concerns associated with bats are rabies and histoplasmosis. Bat guano accumulation can also create sanitation and cleanup issues inside buildings.
This page provides general information only. United Bat Control does not provide medical diagnosis or treatment. If you believe a person or pet may have been exposed to a bat, contact an appropriate healthcare, veterinary or public-health professional promptly.
Rabies & Bats
Rabies is a viral disease that can be transmitted by infected mammals, including bats.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people should avoid touching bats. A known bat bite or scratch requires prompt medical attention. Potential exposure may also occur if saliva or certain nervous-system material from an infected bat contacts the eyes, nose, mouth or an open wound.
Bat bites can be very small and may not always be immediately obvious. If you believe you may have had direct contact with a bat, contact a healthcare professional or your local or state health department for guidance.
Do not rely on a website to determine whether rabies treatment is necessary. A healthcare or public-health professional should evaluate a possible exposure.
Read the CDC’s guidance about bats and rabies →
What Should You Do If You Find a Bat Indoors?
- Avoid touching the bat with bare hands.
- Keep children and pets away from the bat.
- If someone may have been bitten, scratched or had direct contact with the bat, contact a healthcare professional or health department promptly.
- If a pet may have had contact with the bat, contact a veterinarian.
- Contact appropriate local animal-control or public-health authorities for guidance when testing of the bat may be appropriate.
Histoplasmosis & Bat Guano
Histoplasmosis is a lung infection caused by breathing in microscopic spores from the fungus Histoplasma.
The fungus can live in the environment, particularly in soil or material containing accumulations of bird or bat droppings. Exposure risk can increase when contaminated material is disturbed and fungal spores become airborne.
Not every accumulation of bat guano contains Histoplasma, and not everyone exposed to the fungus becomes ill. However, large accumulations of guano should be approached carefully because disturbing contaminated material can increase the possibility of airborne exposure.
Read the CDC’s information about histoplasmosis →
Who May Be at Greater Risk From Histoplasmosis?
Many people exposed to Histoplasma do not become sick. However, some people may be at greater risk for serious illness, including people with weakened immune systems and certain other medical conditions.
Anyone concerned about possible exposure or symptoms should contact a qualified healthcare professional.
Bat Guano Cleanup
Bat colonies can leave guano in attics, wall spaces, ceilings, roof areas, warehouses and other portions of a building.
The amount of contamination may not always be obvious from the accessible portion of the structure. Guano can accumulate in concealed spaces and may require careful evaluation before cleanup begins.
Large accumulations of bat or bird droppings should not be casually swept, vacuumed or disturbed. CDC guidance notes that disturbing contaminated material can release fungal spores into the air, and professional cleanup may be appropriate for substantial accumulations.
Depending on the property and scope of work, United Bat Control services may include guano removal, sanitation, odor control and related remediation.
Why Removing the Bats Is Only Part of the Solution
When a bat colony is living inside a building, simply removing individual bats does not address the underlying structural problem.
A complete solution should identify how bats are entering the structure, humanely exclude the colony and address the openings being used for entry.
Learn More About Professional Bat Exclusion →
Health Concerns in Commercial & Institutional Buildings
Bat activity can be particularly concerning in schools, healthcare facilities, commercial buildings, apartment properties and other structures where employees, students, patients, residents or visitors may be present.
United Bat Control can inspect the structure, identify bat activity and entry points, and recommend an appropriate exclusion program based on the building and conditions found.
United Bat Control Has Specialized in Bat Removal Since 1998
United Bat Control provides professional humane bat removal and exclusion for residential, commercial, educational, healthcare and industrial properties throughout the United States.
Our focus is on removing bats from buildings, addressing the structural conditions that allow them inside and helping property owners resolve bat problems safely and responsibly.
Talk With a Bat Specialist
If bats are living inside your home, business, school, healthcare facility or other building, contact United Bat Control to discuss the property and the appropriate next step.
Call United Bat Control Nationwide
866-747-2287
Email
corporate@unitedbatcontrol.com
