Bats: Coexisting with Wildlife
We are lucky to have over 20 different species of bats living in San Diego County. These nocturnal animals are extremely valuable to our environment — in fact, almost every bat found in this area eats insects, which provides a huge benefit to our region's gardens and farms. Bats are the only mammal capable of true flight and are the world's primary hunters of flying insects, with a single bat capable of eating as many as 1,000 mosquito-sized bugs per hour! To find food in the dark, bats rely primarily on echolocation, which involves sending out a series of clicks and beeps that bounce off the objects surrounding them and using the reflected sound waves to create an image of their environment. Other fruit and nectar-eating bat species are essential for pollination and seed distribution for crops like bananas, mangoes, cocoa and agave (used in the making of tequila!).
Any bat found on the ground (especially one that is not moving) can be assumed to be hurt or sick and should always be brought to the Pilar & Chuck Bahde Wildlife Center.
Bats are the most common species to carry rabies in our area, so it’s very important to never touch a bat with your bare hands or allow any pets to come into contact with a bat.
If you've found an injured bat and need information on where to take them, please call (619) 299-7012.
Things to Remember if you encounter a bat
- Bats are the most common species to carry rabies in our area and should NEVER be handled with bare hands.
- The most common concern we receive about bats is that they are in buildings, houses, attics or on the sides of buildings with droppings accumulating in these areas. If this is an isolated incident, this bat may have simply roosted in or near your building to rest for the day and will most likely leave after dark and not return.
- If the bat returns to the same undesired spot every night, you can discourage the bat from returning by pointing a fan or bright light at the spot. However, this technique should never be used during baby season — which occurs during the spring and summer months — as this may be a mom with a pup who can easily fall off her body and become orphaned.
- If you encounter a bat flying around inside your house, close all inside doors and windows while opening one door to the outside. Point a flashlight toward the open door and allow them to fly out.
- If they don't immediately fly out, please be patient with this confused bat, and remember that they don't want to be in our homes just as much as we don't want them there! If they stop flying to rest on your wall or ceiling, give them time to rest so that they will be better prepared to leave during their normal period of activity: nighttime!
- If the bat falls to the ground and needs assistance, please either call our Humane Law Enforcement team at (619) 299-7012 opt. 1 for an officer's help or use thick gloves and a container to gently move the bat outside.
- Remember to NEVER touch a bat without gloves or some type of protective equipment. If you have decided to call Humane Law Enforcement or animal control for assistance, you can place a container over the bat while waiting for an officer to ensure the animal stays in one place and remains unharmed.
- If the bat has come into contact with a pet or human, contact the public health department for your county and your healthcare provider and/or veterinarian.
