What should I do if I wake up in my sleep and find a bat in my room?

RabiesBatsWildlifeCoping StrategiesSecurity
Created At: 8/15/2025Updated At: 8/18/2025
Answer (1)

Okay, no problem. Waking up to find a bat in your room is definitely scary, but don't panic! Follow these steps to solve the problem safely.

Step 1: Stay Calm, Don't Startle It

This is the most important first step. Sudden movements or screams will startle the bat, causing it to fly erratically around the room. This makes it harder to remove and increases the risk of contact.

  • Do NOT:

    • Do not scream or wave your arms wildly.
    • NEVER try to grab it or hit it with anything (like a broom). Bats rarely attack people unprovoked, but if they feel threatened, they might bite in self-defense.

  • DO:

    1. If there are other people (especially children) or pets in the room, quietly remove them.
    2. Gently leave the bed and move slowly.
    3. Close the door to the room to confine the bat.
    4. Safely observe the bat's location. Is it flying, or is it resting on a wall or curtain?

Step 2: Encourage It to Leave

The goal is not to harm it, but to let it leave safely.

  • Method 1: Open the Window (Most Recommended)

    1. Turn off all lights in the room.
    2. Open all windows and doors leading outside.
    3. Leave the room yourself, closing the door gently from the outside.
    4. Give it some time. Bats instinctively seek airflow and exits. Usually 10-30 minutes is sufficient. You can quietly check the room later.

  • Method 2: Contain & Release (If It's Landed) Use this method if the bat is resting on a wall or the floor. Essential: Take Precautions!

    1. Put on thick gloves! Remember, you must! Use leather or sturdy work gloves—not thin rubber ones.
    2. Find a suitably sized container (like a coffee can, large plastic cup, or small box) and a stiff piece of cardboard.
    3. Approach the bat quietly and slowly.
    4. Quickly place the container over it to trap it.
    5. Carefully slide the cardboard underneath the container to completely seal the bat inside.
    6. Take this "temporary bat trap" outdoors, away from your house. Place it on its side, lift the cardboard carefully, and let the bat fly away.

Step 3: The Most Crucial Step - Evaluate Risk

Even after dealing with the bat, the issue isn't resolved. Because bats are a primary carrier of the rabies virus, a health risk assessment is vital.

This is the MOST IMPORTANT point; please read carefully!

According to recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO) and CDC (Centers for Disease Control) guidelines worldwide, you WILL BE CONSIDERED AT RISK FOR RABIES EXPOSURE and should IMMEDIATELY consult a doctor or your local public health authority if any of the following apply:

  1. You awaken to find a bat in your room. This is critical. Bat bites can be extremely subtle, like a pinprick, and you may not even notice being bitten while asleep. Therefore, the discovery of a bat in the room where you slept warrants assuming possible exposure.
  2. A bat is found in a room with a young child, a mentally impaired person, or anyone unable to communicate clearly. They cannot reliably say if contact occurred.
  3. You know you were bitten or scratched by a bat.
  4. Your pet had direct contact with the bat.

If any of these situations apply:

  • Immediately wash the wound (if present) thoroughly with soap and water for at least 15 minutes.
  • Go to the emergency room or your local public health authority as soon as possible. Inform the doctor, who will assess your risk and determine if you need the rabies vaccine and immunoglobulin.
  • If possible, capture the bat intact (as in Method 2) and submit it to public health authorities for testing. If the bat tests negative (not carrying the virus), you can avoid the need for the vaccine series and expense. If the bat escapes, you must proceed under the worst-case scenario (assuming it carried the virus).

Remember: Rabies is virtually 100% fatal once symptoms appear. However, it is almost 100% preventable with timely post-exposure vaccination. NEVER take chances with RABIES EXPOSURE!

Step 4: Prevent Future Guests

Finally, inspect your home to find and seal the entry point the bat used.

  • Check that chimneys, vents, and air conditioning ducts have proper screens.
  • Check window screens for tears.
  • Look for gaps or holes in the roof, siding, or under eaves.
  • Watch your home at dusk to see if bats emerge from a specific spot (their "front door"). Seal all such entry points securely with appropriate materials.

Hope this information helps! Safety first!

Created At: 08-15 04:36:49Updated At: 08-15 09:21:14