What to Do with a Hibernating Bat: A Guide to Safe Handling
The question of what to do with a hibernating bat is critical for bat conservation. If you find a bat that appears to be hibernating, do not disturb it unless it is in immediate danger, and contact a wildlife rehabilitator.
Introduction: Understanding Bat Hibernation
Bats, vital contributors to our ecosystems, often seek shelter indoors during the winter months to hibernate. Discovering a hibernating bat in your home can be alarming, but understanding their needs and how to respond appropriately is crucial for their survival. These remarkable creatures play a critical role in insect control, pollination, and seed dispersal, making their conservation paramount. Properly addressing a hibernating bat situation ensures the safety of both you and the bat.
Why Bats Hibernate Indoors
Bats choose indoor locations like attics, barns, and sheds for hibernation because these spaces offer protection from harsh winter weather. They seek out areas with stable temperatures and humidity, which are essential for surviving the winter months. Understanding why they choose your space can inform future prevention strategies.
Potential Dangers to Hibernating Bats
Hibernating bats are vulnerable to several threats:
- Disturbance: Waking a hibernating bat burns precious energy reserves, potentially leading to starvation.
- Predation: Cats and other pets pose a significant threat to grounded bats.
- Dehydration: Dry indoor environments can dehydrate bats, especially during hibernation.
- Starvation: If a bat wakes up too early and cannot find insects to eat, it may starve.
- Improper Handling: Handling bats without gloves or proper training can expose you to diseases and injure the bat.
Steps to Take When You Find a Hibernating Bat
This section outlines the recommended steps when faced with the question of what to do with a hibernating bat?
- Observe from a Distance: Assess the bat’s condition without disturbing it. Is it clinging to a surface or lying on the ground? Does it appear injured?
- Contain the Area: If the bat is in an accessible area, close off the room to prevent pets or children from accessing it.
- Contact a Professional: The most important step is to contact a local wildlife rehabilitator or animal control. They can provide expert advice and assistance. Do not attempt to handle the bat yourself unless instructed to do so by a professional.
- If Instructed to Move the Bat: If a professional advises you to move the bat, follow these steps:
- Wear thick gloves (leather or work gloves).
- Gently scoop the bat into a cardboard box lined with a soft cloth.
- Provide a shallow dish of water.
- Keep the box in a cool, dark, and quiet place.
- Do not attempt to feed the bat.
- Wait for Assistance: Keep the bat contained and await further instructions from the wildlife rehabilitator.
Preventing Future Hibernation
Taking proactive steps can prevent future hibernation issues:
- Seal Entry Points: Inspect your home for cracks, crevices, and other openings that bats could use to enter. Seal these entry points with caulk, expanding foam, or mesh.
- Install Bat Houses: Providing alternative roosting locations, such as bat houses, can encourage bats to stay outside.
- Maintain Your Property: Trim trees and shrubs that overhang your roof, as these can provide bats with easy access.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Touching the bat with bare hands: Bats can carry diseases like rabies.
- Attempting to feed the bat: Improper feeding can harm the bat.
- Releasing the bat outside during cold weather: The bat may not survive if released during freezing temperatures.
- Assuming the bat is dead: Bats can appear lifeless during hibernation.
- Ignoring the situation: Leaving the bat undisturbed may not be the best course of action, especially if it is in a vulnerable location.
Benefits of Bats in Your Ecosystem
Recognizing the benefits of bats reinforces the importance of their conservation.
- Insect Control: Bats are voracious insectivores, consuming vast quantities of mosquitoes, moths, and other pests.
- Pollination: Some bat species are important pollinators of various plants.
- Seed Dispersal: Other bats play a role in seed dispersal, helping to maintain forest ecosystems.
- Guano as Fertilizer: Bat guano (droppings) is a rich source of fertilizer.
Identifying Local Wildlife Rehabilitators
Finding the right help is essential.
- State Wildlife Agencies: Contact your state wildlife agency for a list of licensed rehabilitators.
- Local Animal Shelters: Animal shelters often have contacts for local wildlife rehabilitators.
- The National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association (NWRA): The NWRA provides a directory of rehabilitators.
Reporting Your Bat Encounter
Documenting your experience can contribute to bat conservation efforts.
- Local Health Department: Report any potential bat bites or contact with a bat.
- State Wildlife Agency: Report the presence of a bat colony or any unusual bat behavior.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hibernating Bats
What should I do if a bat is flying around inside my house in the winter?
If a bat is actively flying indoors during the winter, it’s likely disoriented or has woken up from hibernation prematurely. Contain the bat in a room by closing doors and opening a window or exterior door. Turn off the lights and allow the bat to find its way out. If it doesn’t leave on its own, contact a wildlife rehabilitator for assistance.
Is it safe to handle a bat wearing gloves?
While wearing gloves offers some protection, it’s still not recommended to handle bats unless specifically instructed to do so by a wildlife professional. Bats can bite or scratch, and gloves may not prevent injury. Even with gloves, there is still a risk of disease transmission, though greatly reduced.
What if I can’t find a wildlife rehabilitator in my area?
If you cannot locate a wildlife rehabilitator, contact your local animal control or state wildlife agency for guidance. They may be able to provide assistance or connect you with a rehabilitator in a nearby area.
How can I tell if a hibernating bat is dead?
It can be difficult to determine if a hibernating bat is dead, as they can appear lifeless. Look for any signs of breathing or movement. If you are unsure, contact a wildlife rehabilitator for assistance. Do not assume the bat is dead without expert assessment.
Can I move a hibernating bat to a warmer location?
No, do not move a hibernating bat to a warmer location. Waking a hibernating bat prematurely depletes its energy reserves and reduces its chances of survival. It is best to consult with a wildlife rehabilitator.
What diseases can bats carry?
Bats can carry diseases such as rabies, histoplasmosis, and white-nose syndrome. It is crucial to avoid direct contact with bats and to seek medical attention if you are bitten or scratched.
Are all bats protected?
Many bat species are protected under state and federal laws. It is illegal to harm or kill protected bats. Understanding the legal protections afforded to bats is important.
How long do bats hibernate?
The length of hibernation varies depending on the bat species and the climate. Some bats hibernate for several months, while others may only hibernate for a few weeks.
What is white-nose syndrome?
White-nose syndrome is a fungal disease that affects hibernating bats. It causes them to wake up more frequently during hibernation, depleting their energy reserves and leading to death. The disease poses a significant threat to bat populations.
Is it okay to release a bat I find indoors outside in the winter if it’s not freezing?
Even if the temperature is above freezing, releasing a bat found indoors in the winter is generally not recommended. The bat may not be able to find food or shelter and could still succumb to the cold. Contact a wildlife rehabilitator.
What kind of entry points do bats typically use to get into homes?
Bats can enter homes through small cracks and crevices around windows, doors, roofs, and chimneys. They can also squeeze through gaps in siding or around pipes. Thoroughly inspecting your home is key.
What is the best way to humanely exclude bats from my attic?
The best way to humanely exclude bats from your attic is to use a one-way exclusion device. This allows bats to exit but prevents them from re-entering. Seal all other entry points after the bats have left. Consult with a wildlife removal professional for assistance.