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Rabies and bats

This fact sheet answers frequently asked questions about rabies and bats.

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Rabies is a virus that can affect the brain and spinal cord. You can find the virus in the saliva of animals with rabies. It spreads to humans through a bite or scratch. There is no cure for rabies but you can prevent it.

The basics

What do I need to know about bats and rabies?​

In the U.S, most rabies in humans is due to bat bites that were not recognized or reported. Bats make tiny teeth marks that are difficult to see so the bite may go unnoticed. A healthy bat usually avoids people, but a rabid bat may be on the ground leading people to touch it. Consider bats found in a room with a child or someone unable to give a history a possible exposure. Bats flying overhead and bats that have not had contact with humans or animals do not pose a risk. 

Catching bats for rabies testing:

You can identify rabies by testing the bat in a laboratory. Testing the bat can determine whether a person needs treatment to prevent rabies. In Boston, if there has been human or pet exposure to a bat, and you know where the bat is, Boston Animal Control (617) 635-5348 can provide recommendations or assistance with catching the bat. Follow these steps to capture a bat: 

  • Bat bites can poke through fabric so use a sturdy container with a lid to contain the bat
  • Never handle a bat with your bare hands. Wear thick leather gloves.
  • Wait until the bat has landed. Approach the bat slowly and place the container over the bat. Then slide the cover or a piece of cardboard underneath and flip the container over, trapping the bat inside. Secure the lid with tape

To submit the bat to the Hinton State Laboratory for rabies testing, call (617) 983-6385.

What should I do if someone or my pet is bitten by a bat or another animal?

Bats and other wildlife such as skunks, raccoons, foxes, and coyotes can carry rabies. If they are not properly vaccinated, animals such as cats, dogs, ferrets, horses, cattle, goats, and llamas can also get rabies. Follow these steps if bitten by a bat or other animal:

  • Thoroughly wash the bite immediately with soap and water
  • Visit your doctor to see if you need treatment against rabies. Other infections, such as tetanus, may also result from a bite wound and require medical attention
  • Test wild animals that bite people for rabies. Boston residents can contact Boston Animal Control for recommendations or assistance in capturing the animal for testing
  • If you were bitten by someone’s pet, get the pet owner’s name, address, and telephone number. Contact the Boston Public Health Commission at (617) 534-5611 for assistance
  • In most cases, you must confine and observe a dog, cat, or ferret for 10 days after it has bitten or scratched someone. If the animal becomes ill during the 10 days, consult a veterinarian immediately
  • If you think a bat bit your pet, contact a veterinarian for help. If possible, test the bat for rabies. Remember to keep vaccinations up to date for cats, dogs, and other animals

Prevention

How can you prevent rabies? 

  • Vaccinate your pets! Cats, dogs, and ferrets all need vaccinations regularly. Make sure their vaccinations are up-to-date
  • Do not feed or handle wild animals. Teach children that although a baby raccoon or skunk may look cute and friendly, it can be very dangerous
  • Do not feed or touch stray animals and avoid all sick or strange-acting animals
  • Cover your garbage cans and don’t leave pets’ food outside where it can attract wild animals
  • Do not keep wild animals as pets. Not only is this dangerous for you and the animal, it is also against the law
  • Do not touch or pick up dead animals
  • Never handle a bat with bare hands. Use thick gloves, tongs, or a shovel to remove the dead bat, or call a bat-removal expert. Don’t crush the bat with a tennis racquet or other object
  • Do not let your pet play with bats
  • Keep bats out of the house or other buildings by closing or covering the attic or other dark sheltered areas. Put screens on windows

How can I "bat-proof" my house?

Some bats live in buildings, and there may be no reason to get rid of them if there is little chance for contact with people. However, you should prevent bats from entering rooms of your home. For assistance with "bat-proofing" your home, contact a wildlife conservation agency or pest control agency. If you choose to "bat-proof" your home yourself, follow these suggestions:

  • Examine your home for holes that might allow bats entry to the home
  • Use window screens, chimney caps, and draft guards beneath doors to attics
  • Fill electrical and plumbing holes with stainless steel wool or caulking
  • Ensure that all doors to the outside close tightly
  • Observe where the bats exit at dusk and exclude them by loosely hanging clear plastic sheeting or bird netting over these areas
  • After excluding bats, the openings can be permanently sealed
  • Avoid exclusion from May through August because many young bats are unable to fly and may die trapped inside or make their way into living quarters. If you have a problem during these months, find a problem animal control agent, licensed by the state of Massachusetts, to remove wildlife by calling (978) 772-2145 or click here
  • Most bats leave to hibernate in fall or winter, so this is the best time to "bat-proof.

Treatment

What is Rabies Post Exposure Treatment, or PEP?

If a person comes in contact with a bat, and that bat is not available for laboratory testing, preventive rabies treatment is usually recommended. Preventive treatment after possible rabies exposure is one shot of Human Rabies Immune Globulin (HRIG) and four or five rabies vaccine shots usually given in the arm.

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