Tag Archives: rabid bats

Rabid Bats In Illinois

rabid bats

According to the Chicago Tribune, the amount of bats that have tested positive for rabies in Illinois is doubled comparatively to last year. Last year at this point, there were eight positive rabies tests. Currently there are 16. Though these numbers are small and it is early in the season, it could be indicative of a trend this year.

Bats are found everywhere in the state, including the Chicagoland area. Rabid bats have been found in homes in Arlington Heights, Aurora, LaGrange, and Chicago’s south side. The family from Arlington Heights is pursuing rabies vaccinations. Most rabid bats found last year were in Cook and Will counties. Will county had a record setting 20 cases of bat rabies.

Several species of bat are found in Illinois. Big brown bats and small brown bats are quite common, even in urban areas. Officials say that bats are common transmitters of rabies because they are often in contact with humans. Bats can also transmit rabies to other mammals like dogs, foxes, skunks, and raccoons.

To avoid catching rabies, it’s advised to avoid contact with wild animals including stray cats and dogs. Especially avoid animals that are typically nocturnal but may be acting strangely during daylight hours. Do not leave food outside that may attract wild animals. Seal off any entry points to your home, or other buildings like sheds and garages, that wild animals may enter. Bats can enter through small entry pints near windows, attics, soffits, and spaces in your home’s siding. Keep your family pets’ vaccines up to date and do not let them roam without supervision.

If you believe a rabid animal has bitten you, seek medical attention immediately. If there are animal pests on your property or in your home, call pest control to have them safely removed.

Bat Myths

Bats

Bats Are Blind

The phrase “blind as a bat,” isn’t true at all. Bats are not blind and all species can see. Because they hunt at night, they use their echolocation to help them locate prey, perhaps leading to the idea that they don’t use their vision at all. However, bats use both echolocation and vision to hunt and navigate their way home.

Bats Attack People

Most species of bats eat insects and fruit and have no interest in attacking humans for any reason. Bats are not aggressive and do not behave aggressively toward humans; in fact, they usually try to avoid people.

Vampire Bats Suck Blood From People

There are three species of vampire bats that live in South and Central America, all of which do not eat human blood. These bats prefer to take meals from sleeping animals, livestock or birds, and take about an ounce of blood at a time.

Bats Are Flying Mice or Related To Rats

Bats are not rodents or related to rats and mice. Bats are more closely related to primates and lemurs than rodents.

Bats Become Tangled In Hair

Bats occasionally may fly near your face but they avoid it with ease. Their echolocation is so incredibly efficient that it helps them avoid obstacles as small as a piece of string.

Bats Carry Rabies

Most bats do not have rabies, and they contract rabies much less than other animals. Less than half of 1% of all bats may catch and contract the disease. However, if a bat bites you, immediately seek medical attention. The most common way to get rabies from a bat is handling a bat inside or near your home. Always call animal control services to safely remove a bat from your home.

Attic Solutions Alert: Rabid Bats in Chicago Area

According to a recent news report on ABC 7 Chicago, a local Naperville, Illinois family required rabies treatment after finding a rabid bat in their home. The family called Animal Control upon discovering the bat, which tested positive for rabies. Animal Control advised the entire family be inoculated against the disease since bats have such tiny teeth and could penetrate without leaving a mark.

Dr. Leroy Schild of Will County Animal Control advised that there were 13 cases of rabid bats in 2014 and 11 cases already this year. “This year is particularly bad because of the wet spring-… A lot of moisture, a lot of insects [sic] big food source for ’em,” he said.

Another family in Homer Glen found six rabid bats living in their garage and were also treated for rabies as a precaution. Animal Control authorities passed out flyers to neighbors in the area so they were aware of the situation.

It may seem unlikely that bats could get in your home, but you would be surprised how easy it is. Because bats are so small, it is not difficult for them to sneak in through a crevice, window, or chimney and move into your attic or basement.

As soon as you suspect you may have a bat infestation, call Attic Solutions immediately at 847-464-1861 for removal. We are trained professionals and equipped to deal with bat exclusion and removal. We will remove the bats and fix any property damage they may have caused.