In Ontario, bats are one of the most common wild animals that can spread the rabies virus.
Rabies is a serious but preventable viral disease that affects the central nervous system of mammals, including humans. A bat may pose a health risk if it has come into direct physical contact with a person. Rabid bats can transmit rabies through a bite, scratch, or when saliva comes in contact with mucous membranes (e.g., eyes, nose, mouth) or open wounds of another mammal or human.
If a bat is found in your home, there may be a risk of exposure if a person had direct physical contact with the bat, or if contact cannot be reliably ruled out. This may include situations where a person was asleep in a room where the bat was present, a young child or an individual unable to report what occurred when alone with the bat, or there are unexplained bites, scratches, or marks on the skin. If there is any concern that contact may have occurred, seek medical assessment from a healthcare provider.
What should you do if you have direct physical contact with a bat?
- Wash the exposed area with soap and water for at least 15 minutes.
- Seek medical attention immediately to assess the risk of exposure and discuss appropriate medical options.
- The healthcare provider will report the incident to the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU), and a Public Health Inspector will follow up with you.
- If the bat is available and suitable for testing, it can be submitted for testing.
What if you find a bat in your home?
- Keep your family and pets away and avoid direct contact with the bat.
- If there has been no direct physical contact with the bat, do not capture it for testing. Open windows and doors, allowing the bat to leave the home safely.
- If direct physical contact with a bat may have occurred, avoid releasing it and contact the WECHU for further guidance. If suitable for testing, the bat may be submitted for rabies testing.
- Contact a local animal control company to catch and release the bat if you are unable to remove it safely.
How can I protect my pets from getting rabies from a bat?
- Vaccinate your pet against rabies (3 months of age or older); it’s the law.
- Monitor your pet often when they are outside to prevent contact with wildlife.
Visit our Animal Exposure Investigationfor more information.
Bat-Proofing Your Home
To prevent bats from entering your home, use:
- Window screens
- Chimney caps
- Draft-guards beneath doors to attics
- Ensure that all doors to the outside close tightly
- Net or seal all openings into the house larger than a dime, such as electrical and plumbing holes
Bats often settle in areas such as:
- Attics
- Chimneys
- Peaks of roofs
- Under siding, roof tiles, shingles
- Behind shutters
If bats are already present in your home, contact a pest management company or wildlife specialist to safely remove the bats and identify and seal the openings they are using to enter the building.
Bat Houses
Although bats can be a health concern when they enter homes, they also play an important role in the environment. After bat-proofing your home, property owners may choose to install a bat house to support local bat populations. Bat houses can be purchased or built and placed in an appropriate location away from occupied buildings. For guidance on bat house design and placement, visit cwf-fcf.org
Note: Before installing a bat house, contact your local municipality to check whether any building requirements or bylaws apply.