FAQs- Can I get diseases from bats in my home?

Bats are among the wildlife species that most commonly enter homes in the Raleigh-Durham Triangle area. Often, bats will take advantage of roof openings to roost in attics. Other times, bats may fly in through an open window or even down the chimney. One of the greatest concerns of homeowners with a bat infestation is that they may catch diseases from the bats, which is a possibility.

The greatest concern of having bats in your home is that they are known carriers of the rabies virus. In North Carolina, bats are among the wild animals that most often spread rabies; it’s estimated that as many as 3% of bats carry the virus. A rabid bat can often be identified by erratic behavior such as difficulty flying, being active during the day, and displaying aggression. If you are bitten by a bat, you should always be tested for rabies. Bats are generally shy of humans, so an unprovoked bite is a likely sign that a bat is rabid.

Rabies is one of the most lethal viruses on Earth and almost always proves fatal once symptoms appear. The good news is that getting treated for rabies early on is usually successful in neutralizing the virus. Symptoms of rabies in humans can include hyperactivity, agitation, seizures, hallucinations, and hydrophobia (fear of water). To minimize the risk of being bitten by a rabid bat, do not attempt to remove intruding bats from your home. Instead, hire a professional wildlife removal company in the Raleigh-Durham area to remove the bats for you.

Aside from rabies, bats can also spread histoplasmosis, a lung infection caused by breathing in a fungus found in bat guano. When bats roost in your attic and their guano piles up, it can lead to the spread of fungal spores that cause histoplasmosis. If you contract histoplasmosis from bats in your home, your symptoms may include fever, head and muscle aches, coughing, shortness of breath, fatigue, and more. Fortunately, histoplasmosis usually isn’t life threatening and can be treated using antifungal medication.

If you’re concerned about getting diseases from bats in your home, reach out to Southern Wildlife Management today to request bat removal and prevention services in the Raleigh-Durham-Cary area!