Bats can appear in the most unexpected places on Vancouver Island

It’s that time of year when you might freak out a little when unexpected guests show up at your door.

In August, the young bats learn to fly and leave their summer roosts, so the BC Community Bat Program receives many reports of bats found in unusual places, such as doorways or on the ground. They may even fly into homes with the doors open, said Julianna Laposa-Wilde, Community Bat Program coordinator for southern Vancouver Island, in a news release.

“Leave the bat alone and please remember to never touch a bat, dead or alive, with your bare hands,” Laposa-Wilde said. “This is normal at this time of year. If you find a bat on a wall and it is unlikely that small children or pets will come into contact with it, it is best to leave it there. It will probably fly away after dark or in a few days. To warn visitors, you can post a note nearby that says ‘Leave the bat alone. It is sleeping.'”

Although only a small percentage of bats in British Columbia have been found to be infected with rabies, it is important to avoid any contact, Laposa-Wilde stressed.

“If you must move a bat nesting outdoors, gently lift it with a trowel or touch the bat’s feet with a two-foot stick until it holds on,” she said. “Always wear leather gloves to protect yourself from direct contact,” she explained. “Release the bat by placing it in a large tree, as high as possible. Keep pets away from bats. If contact does occur between a pet or farm animal and a bat, contact your veterinarian. And always have your pets vaccinated against rabies.”

It’s also important to talk to children to make sure they understand never to touch, play with, or try to rescue injured or sick-looking bats. If you suspect a bite or scratch from a bat, immediately wash the area with soap and water for 15 minutes, then contact health officials or your doctor as soon as possible, or go to the emergency room.

If doors are left open at night, bats may fly in to hunt for a moth, Laposa-Wilde noted.

“Keep doors closed and make sure window screens don’t have holes in them,” she said. “If you find a live bat in your home, open the main doors and close the interior doors until the bat flies away, or follow the steps to remove a single bat on our website at www.bcbats.ca.”

Bats are important and beneficial wildlife and are vital to our economy and ecology, Laposa-Wilde said. All 15 species of bats in BC feed on insects, including mosquitoes, as well as agricultural and forestry pests. Some species of bats have adapted to living in human buildings, and colonies can be found under roofs or siding, or in attics, barns or other buildings.

“Many landowners see an advantage in keeping bats and value insect control,” said Laposa-Wilde.

Laposa-Wilde reminds residents that it is illegal to exterminate, cause direct harm or harass bats under the BC Wildlife Act, and a lockout should only be done in the fall and winter after it has been determined that the bats are no longer in the building.

For information on safely transporting bats and reporting bat sightings, landowners should visit the Got Bats? BC Community Bat Program website (www.bcbats.ca), email [email protected] or call 1-855-9BC-BATS, extension 12.