How to Catch a Bat in Your House

Co-authored by Scott McCombe

Last Updated: October 8, 2024 Fact Checked

It can be annoying or even scary when a bat finds its way into your house, and it's tough to get rid of when it's panicked and flying around. No matter how scared you are, staying calm and focusing on catching the bat, not hurting it, is the best way to go. By remaining patient and using a few simple tricks, you can catch the bat and release it outside in a safe, humane way.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Finding the Bat and Protecting Yourself

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1
Find the bat if it's hiding. If you don't know where the bat is, start your search during the daytime, when the bat is asleep and easier to find and catch. Start looking in areas that don't see a lot of light, such as an attic or a secluded room. Look in places that the bat could hang from or crawl into, such as:
- On curtains
- On the back of furniture
- In a houseplant
- On hanging clothes
- Between seat cushions
- Under or behind cabinets or entertainment centers
The more people around the bat, the more stressed out and harder to catch it will be. Take any pets and children out of the room, and ask anyone else to leave as well.^{[1]
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3
Put on heavy, protective clothing. Before you start trying to catch the bat, put on a thick, long-sleeved shirt or sweatshirt, long pants, and sturdy shoes or boots. Bats can bite and carry diseases like rabies, so it's important to protect your skin when you're nearby, especially if you don't know where the bat is.^{[2]
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The Humane Society of the United States
National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare

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- Avoid thin materials like cotton, which a bat can bite through.
^{[3]
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Expert Source

Scott McCombe
Pest Control Specialist

Expert Interview. 19 November 2019.} Your hands will be the most exposed to the bat, so put on thick leather gloves, or work gloves of a similarly strong material.

If you don't have gloves, use a thick, rolled-up shirt of a heavy material. Avoid using a towel, since the bat's claws can get tangled in the loops.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Catching the Bat with a Bucket or Your Hands

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1
Close the doors and wait until the bat lands if it's flying around. The bat will eventually get tired of flying around, so close the doors to keep it in one room and wait for it to land, keeping your eyes on it at all times. It will probably aim for a place where it can hang, such as behind curtains or upholstered furniture, on clothes that are hanging up, or even in house plants.^{[4]
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- Stay quiet and still while you wait for the bat to land. This will help it calm down more quickly.
- Don't try to catch the bat in mid-air. It's almost impossible, and will only panic the bat more.
- The bat doesn't want to touch you, so stay calm if it accidentally bumps into you. It will flit away as soon as it can.
2
Place a tub or bucket over the bat. Once the bat has landed, carefully and quietly place a plastic tub, bucket, or similar container over it. This will prevent the bat from flying away while you work to remove it.^{[5]
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services

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- Make sure the tub or bucket is large enough to comfortably fit the bat, so you don't accidentally injure it in the process.
- For best results, use a clear tub or bucket so you can see the bat as you trap and transport it.
- You can also drop a towel on top of the bat to capture it. Carefully scoop the bat up with the towel and hold it closed.^{[6]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Scott McCombe
  Pest Control Specialist
  
  Expert Interview. 19 November 2019.}
3
Slide a piece of cardboard over the top of the bucket to trap it. Work a piece of cardboard or stiff paper under the bucket to completely cover the opening. Keep the container as close to the wall or surface as possible, and be careful not to pinch the bat as you trap it inside.^{[7]
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Trustworthy Source

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services

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- You can also use the lid of the bucket or tub (if it has one).
4
Scoop it up with your hands if you don't have a bucket. To catch the bat with your hands, approach it slowly and quietly, then reach down and smoothly pick it up in both of your hands, keeping a firm but gentle hold on it.^{[8]
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- Try to hold it so that its head is facing out, near the tips of your fingers, so you can keep the most pressure on its body.
- If the bat bites you, or if you get bat saliva in your eyes, nose, or mouth, seek medical attention immediately, since bats can carry rabies.
5
Take the bat outside and release it onto a tree. Quickly and carefully take the bucket outside to a nearby tree. Tilt it against the tree trunk and, holding the container at arms-length, carefully remove the cardboard to let the bat hop out.^{[9]
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- If you used your hands, hold the bat up against the tree trunk at arms-length. Carefully loosen your grip and let it hop out onto the tree.
- Bats typically can't take flight from the ground, so releasing it onto a tree will help it to escape more easily. This is especially important for a bat that's stressed and fatigued from flying around your house.
6
Seal up any potential entries once it's gone.^{[10]
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Expert Source

Scott McCombe
Pest Control Specialist

Expert Interview. 19 November 2019.} Check common bat entry points around your house, such as chimneys or openings that lead to attics or cellars. Seal them up as best you can, or hire a contractor to do so, to prevent another bat from getting into your house.
- Bats can enter or hide in any space that's big enough for 2 of your fingers.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Helping the Bat Escape

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^{[11]
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Scott McCombe
Pest Control Specialist

Expert Interview. 19 November 2019.} If the bat won't land long enough for you to catch it, you can try to encourage it to escape instead. After locating the bat, close any doors to other rooms and turn off the lights. This will create a contained environment that's more comfortable for the bat, helping it to calm down and find an exit.
^{[12]
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Expert Source

Scott McCombe
Pest Control Specialist

Expert Interview. 19 November 2019.} Once the room is sealed off from the rest of the house, provide it an outside exit. Open up a large window (or a few), or prop open a door to the outside. The more windows you open, the more likely the bat will escape!^{[13]
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Try to open windows near where the bat has been flying, so it's more likely to find the open air.
Ask everyone to leave the room, including children, pets, and other adults. Shut the door behind you and stay quiet to help the bat calm down even more.
4
Check to see if the bat is gone after 30 minutes. Peek back into the room after about half an hour to see if the bat has left. Use a flashlight to look around for it. If it's still there, wait another hour and check again.
- If the bat still hasn't escaped but has calmed down enough to land, try to trap it with a bucket. If it's still flying around quickly, call pest control for help.

Expert Q&A

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Question

What do you do if there's a bat trapped in your house?

Scott McCombe
Pest Control Specialist
Scott McCombe is the CEO of Summit Environmental Solutions (SES), a family-owned local pest solutions, animal control, and home insulation company based in Northern Virginia. Founded in 1991, SES has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and has been awarded “Top Rated Professional,” and “Elite Service Award" by HomeAdvisor.

Scott McCombe

Pest Control Specialist

Expert Answer

Try to isolate the bat in a dark room and close the door. Open a window in the room and leave it until it flies outside. If it doesn't leave on its own, put on leather gloves. Wrap the bat in a towel and carry it outside.

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Tips

If you can't get rid of the bat, or if you consistently find bats in your house, call pest control. Bats may be living in your attic or cellar, or getting in through an entry you can't find.

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Stay calm. Remember that the bat is just as scared as you are, if not more so! Aim to catch it and release it humanely, not hurt it.

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Warnings

Bats can bite and carry diseases such as rabies, so you should always wear gloves when handling or getting close to one.

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If you're bitten or get the bat's saliva in your eyes, nose, or mouth, get medical attention right away. You can't get rabies from touching the bat's feces (called guano), blood, urine, or fur.

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