More Bats Are Being Tested for Rabies in Southern Michigan

Finding a bat inside of your home is already enough to make most people panic. Now, health officials in southern Michigan are reminding residents to be careful as bats are being submitted for rabies testing.

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency says it has seen an increase in bats found inside homes being tested for rabies.

While seeing a bat does not automatically mean it has rabies, health officials say people should avoid getting close to wild animals, especially bats, raccoons and skunks. Feeding wild animals is also something residents should avoid.

How to Keep Bats Out of Your Home

There are also a few things you can do around your home to make it harder for unwanted visitors to get inside.

Officials recommend putting a cap on your chimney and checking areas around attics, crawl spaces, and other openings where bats or other animals could potentially enter. Any openings should be sealed.

How to Protect Your Pets From Rabies

Pet owners should also make sure their animals are up to date on their vaccinations. That can add another layer of protection if a pet happens to come into contact with wildlife.

What to Do If You Find a Bat Inside Your Home

If you do find a bat flying around your house, this is probably not the time to grab a broom and try handling the situation yourself.

Health officials recommend contacting animal control or a professional wildlife removal service to safely remove the animal.

The agency is sharing the warning to help families avoid dangerous encounters with wildlife inside their homes.

If you find a bat or another wild animal inside your home, it is worth taking the situation seriously and calling someone trained to safely handle it.