Apparently Utah County’s Health Department just issued a bat warning because of an increase in bat activity this September. Bats have been spotted throughout Utah County, including at Lehi High School. All I can say is that I’m glad I don’t go to that high school anymore!
Obviously, you should stay away from bats because they can carry ticks, fleas, and even parasites on their bodies. Rabies can be transmitted without being bitten, but just by holding a sick bat. Be especially cautious of bat droppings because they can cause lung problems, called histoplasmosis. Since less than 1% of bats carry rabies, you are more likely to hurt yourself running away from bats than actually being hurt from a bat.
Luckily, none of the 18 bat species in Utah feed on blood, only irritating insects such as roaches.
If you do find a bat hiding out, don’t intentionally kill it because you may be arrested! The only chemical approved by the EPA that you can use is naphthalene as an indoor repellant.
Or just face your chiroptophobia, or fear of bats, like Bruce Wayne (aka Batman.)
3 responses so far ↓
1 Pam Beasley // Sep 25, 2007 at 1:36 pm
I thought you had to be bitten to get rabies…I thought it was ransmitted through saliva…but it’s a very good warning not to handle them, just as you shouldn’t handle any wild animal.
Personally, I’m glad to have the bats, because they take care of the west-nile virus carrying mosquitos. I’ve had way too many bug bites this year! Bring on the bats!
2 kmj190 // Oct 4, 2007 at 12:04 pm
Yes, rabies is typically transmitted through a bite, but it can be transmitted if an infected animals licks you around mucous membranes such as the mouth, nose, or eyes which is more common among infected pets (like you said rabies is passed through saliva, sorry for the confusion).
3 Pam Beasley // Oct 19, 2007 at 2:21 pm
Oh man – that’s scary. I had no idea it would be so easy to get rabies! I’m staying away! Thanks for the warning!
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