Bat Handling | Humane Wildlife Control – The Skunk Whisperer Way

Handling Bats and How To Launch A Bat Into Flight

Never touch a bat. If you find bats inside your home it is best to call a wildlife professional to help you through the proper removal and safety procedures. However, if you want to get a bat out of the house yourself just the same, do not do it by waving a broom around in the air at a bat. Bats are not usually aggressive, but there is no reason to provoke them. If you open all of your doors and windows, they will eventually follow the airflow to the outdoors.

If you find a bat on the ground or floor that is not able to fly, you can “launch” it outdoors with a full size garden spade. Be careful with the bat as its wings are two thin layers of skin that can easily be damaged. Gently scoop the bat up with the shovel, and while standing on grass, gently but briskly throw the bat in the air. Bats must have at least fifteen feet of airspace to fly. If the bat is injured, it will usually not fly, even after the third launch attempt. This injured bat must be taken to a bat rehabilitator or be euthanized.

If the bat has several babies clinging to it, it will usually not be able to fly and should be taken to a rehabilitator.
Occasionally a bat can start to fly without dropping first. This usually occurs with big brown bats that are on a slick surface such as a tile or wood floor. Be aware of your surroundings when approaching bats.