If you find a bat in your house, the first question is probably, “how did this happen?!” It’s really not uncommon to find a bat indoors, especially during winter and in an older home. If a window or door without a screen is left open, occasionally a bat can fly in while it’s cruising the darkness searching for bugs on a warm night. Without a protective chimney cap screen, a bat could easily fall down into the chimney. If bats are living in your attic, one might fall down into the void between the inner and outer walls and end up in the basement. Bats may look big when flying around, but they can get into or out of an opening as small as the end of your pinky finger!
If you have a “winter bat” it’s probably a big brown bat – a species commonly associated with human structures since they tolerate us better than other species. Bats awaken occasionally during the winter months to move around a bit or to adjust to changing temperatures if their spot is suddenly too warm or cold. It is at this time that they might find their way around the house.
“What Should I Do?”
First, don’t panic. If you find a bat in your living space, it just needs to go outside where it belongs. While wearing thick gloves, place a container over the perched bat and scoop it into the container. If temperatures are well above freezing, the bat can simply be released outside and should be able to find a new place to hibernate.
If temperatures are well below freezing, you can keep the bat in a box (with air holes) overnight until temperatures rise in the day and release the bat at that time. Bats should not be kept contained like this for long as they will quickly dehydrate in warm temperatures in the house.
If a bat appears in the house during a prolonged deep freeze, you must contact a local wildlife rehabilitator who is licensed to care for rabies-vector species and see if they are able to take the bat.
Find more detailed information on what to do if you find a bat.
Please do what you can to ensure bats are released safely or cared for properly by a professional. Bats have always been challenged with misconceptions about them and they are having a tougher time than ever with habitat loss, development, white-nose syndrome, and more. We need bats! They offer endless pollinator services, insect/pest control, and seed dispersal saving farmers billions of dollars every year.
Do you love bats? Check out the recently completed Ohio Bat Conservation Plan.