Bats can still spread rabies without an obvious bite

Bats play a vital role in the ecosystem of the world, eating such bugs as mosquitoes, helping to keep the population down. However, bats are also carriers of several diseases that can affect the health of humans, including rabies. It is important for home owners to be able to recognize when bats are near and how to stay safe from disease such as rabies.

Contracting Rabies

Rabies is a disease that is carried by several creatures including bats. The most common exposure method to rabies is by a bite from a rabid animal. However, what many do not know is that rabies can also be transmitted when the rabid animal’s saliva comes in contact with a human via mouth, eyes, nose or wound.

For example, you may come in contact with a bat that has rabies and never be bitten but the saliva of the bat comes into contact with a cut or scrape. This can lead to you becoming infected. When an individual is exposed to the rabies virus, a vaccine must be administered immediately. This vaccine is known as post-exposure prophylaxis which will help to prevent infection in the body.

After infection, symptoms will begin to take place and in most cases the end result is death. As many as 30,000 individuals in the United States are given the vaccine due to potentially being exposed to the rabies virus including exposure to bats.

Solving a Bat Problem

Because of the threat of rabies within bats, it is important to take care of any bats in the home as soon as a problem is realized. You should get rid of bats as soon as possible to avoid an issue with rabies in bats. You may hear noises at night in the walls or attic space. This can be a sure sign that you have bats in your home. Take a look outside. Do you see bats flying about? If so, try to determine where they are entering your home.

In most cases, bats will enter in the attic space via small holes, vents or openings in the roof line. Bats are small creatures and can contort their body into weird positions to be able to fit inside your home. A wildlife expert with experience in bat removal will be able to assist you with finding out the weak points of your home and removing the bats in a timely manner.

An expert in bat removal knows the right method in which to capture the bat. A gloved hand, plastic container or net will work best and is not something that the average person is able to do. The professional will also be able to assist you with any cleanup needs in the area. Bat feces is also a health hazard that needs to be cleaned in the right manner. Consult with professional wildlife removal experts when you have bats in the home to see removal and cleanup take place in the best way possible.

Contact Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control today to learn more about bat removal or to schedule an appointment for service.

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