Perhaps the scariest thing about bats is that they’re a spreader of rabies. While only a very small percentage of bats are rabid, they’re still some of the biggest rabies vectors in North Carolina, along with raccoons and skunks. Rabies is an extremely lethal virus that is almost always fatal in humans once symptoms begin to appear. If you believe you’ve been bitten by a bat, you should always be tested for rabies, since early treatment can save your life. While bats often display symptoms of rabies, some rabid bats may display no symptoms at all.
The most obvious sign of a rabid bat is that it will be active during the daytime. Bats are nocturnal creatures that generally take shelter during the day, so seeing them flying about when it’s bright out is a likely indicator that the bat is infected with rabies. Rabid bats will also generally display other unusual behaviors such as flying in erratic patterns or being unable to fly at all. If you see a bat on the ground during the day, do not approach it, as it is very likely that the bat is rabid.
Sometimes, bats infected with rabies become more aggressive. A rabid bat is much more likely to bite a person or animal than a bat not infected with the virus. Fortunately, it is still fairly rare for rabid bats to actively seek out and bite humans. However, you should still avoid handling bats without wearing protective gear since there’s always the risk of rabies.
If you’re concerned that you may have rabid bats on your property, contact Southern Wildlife Management today to request bat removal services in the Raleigh-Durham-Cary area!
NCSU Alumni