What are the odds that a sick bat will endanger my family with rabies?
Only 14 people in more than 50 years have contracted rabies from North American bat species that commonly live in bat houses. Like all mammals, bats can contract rabies, though very few do (less than half of one percent). Unlike many other animals, even rabid bats rarely become aggressive. They quickly die from the disease, and outbreaks in their colonies are extremely rare. The odds of being harmed by a rabid bat are remote if you simply do not attempt to handle bats. Any bat that can be easily caught should be assumed to be sick and left alone. We do not recommend attracting bats to places where curious children are likely to attempt handling them. With or without bats in your yard, the most important action you can take to protect your family from rabies is to vaccinate your family dogs and cats.
