What to do if a bat enters a home

Although rare in the winter, bats do, on occasion, enter homes used by humans. Bats are, in Canada, generally protected and ought not to be injured or killed without permit. As a result their removal can be problematic. Since bats can carry rabies and other diseases care must be used at all times.

a) Locating the bat:
Once the bat has landed it is hard to locate. A bat in a room will fly around for up to half an hour but will eventually land, often on a curtain or wall hanging. Restrict its flight to one room. Open
windows (or an external door) because the bat may find its own way out, but watch carefully. If it does not escape see where it lands. Once it has landed do not disturb it for at least 5 minutes
and then it will become torpid and easily approached. If the bat is known to be in a room but its location is unknown firstly check the curtains or similar hangings on both sides, then the corners of the room at ceiling height, then the floor. Other
places to check would be light fittings, behind pictures, on the sides of soft furniture and behind furniture against a wall. A grounded bat may only be the size of a matchbox and is often stationary so the search has to be careful and thorough. Bats can easily escape under closed doors if there is a 15mm gap.

b) After locating the bat:
Using a gloved hand carefully pick up the bat (if it is hanging up, lift it upwards to unhook the feet), take it outside and hang it up on a wall at head height or above. Alternatively cover the bat with a box and urge it in carefully with a piece of paper or card, then take the box outside and leave it open on a high surface for the bat to escape (not at ground level).
James Morton
1100 - 5255 Yonge Street
Toronto, Ontario
M2N 6P4