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MeAndTheBoys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 3999
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 7:45 am: | 
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Isn't he just the coolest. You should see the teeth on this little guy. Very impressive. I really love bats! |
Lucy
Supporter
Username: Lucy
Post Number: 4153
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 7:47 am: |
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Oh Me you are brave to stay in the house with this visitor! |
Scully
Citizen
Username: Scully
Post Number: 652
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 7:50 am: |
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I love them too! Bought a bat house but haven't gotten around to installing it yet (too late for this year).
Where is your fellow hanging from? Is that a window? Seems awfully light for a bat hangout. |
Soparents
Citizen
Username: Soparents
Post Number: 1081
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 7:51 am: |
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Is it inside? I think (from a distance, or a still photo...) bats look cute, but unless there was a barrier between me and it, such as a pane of glass you wouldn't catch me that close!
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Virtual It Girl
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 4622
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 7:54 am: |
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Note to self: check screens to insure wildlife is kept outside. |
MeAndTheBoys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 4000
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 7:58 am: |
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Scully, he's hanging at the top of the screen on the inside, between the screen and the window, in my master bathroom.
Last night I went up to go to bed and went in to the bathroom, which was dark, and heard scratching sounds that sounded like they were coming from behind the window frame. The window was open at the time. Kinda creeped me out, and I'm not normally creeped out by critters. Turned on the light to see if I could see anything, but the scratching stopped and I didn't see anything.
This morning I'm getting ready in the bathroom and my little one comes in and says "Wook Mommy!" And, low and behold, the source of my scratching!
So I got my husband's heavy leather winter gloves, my camera and a box, and the kids watched me remove him. He was really pissed at me and opened his mouth wide, kind of like a dog showing it's teeth, and they really were impressive! Especially is little white fangs. Tried to get a wing to extend so I could show it to the kids but he wasn't having it.
Now he's safely tucked away in a box, and we'll release him tonight at dusk. |
MeAndTheBoys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 4001
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 7:58 am: |
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Honestly, I can't figure how he got inside the screen. |
MeAndTheBoys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 4002
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 8:00 am: |
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VIG, you can always call me. The kids and I would be happy to come remove any unwanted "wildlife." |
tabby
Citizen
Username: Tabby
Post Number: 319
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 8:01 am: |
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Hi Meand,
Wow, he is cool. We have a bathouse in one of our trees in the backyard.
How do your kitties react to him?
Now, if he would morph into a handsome man (like our own Frank Langella circa 1975 as Dracula, swoon)........ |
Soparents
Citizen
Username: Soparents
Post Number: 1086
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 8:02 am: |
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MATB - wow, you are a LOT braver than me, I would have been the one attempting to squeeze into the box..
My two girls are not fans of anything buggy etc, the little one has a real problem. I don't show fear or anything around them and deal with what needs to be dealt with, but she even refuses to go to the bathroom if the window is open, even with the screen in place... |
MeAndTheBoys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 4003
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 8:07 am: |
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Tabby, kitty doesn't see too well anymore and wasn't around when we found him. My room is on the third floor and most likely kitty was all the way downstairs waiting for breakfast or hiding from the kids!
I've often considered putting up a bathouse, but was afraid of dealing with ramifications from neighbors.
Soparents, that irrational fear of buggies is very interesting. I don't understand where that comes from. My guys are not remotely afraid. The only think I sometimes show "fear" (more like just really creeped out) of is some spiders. Otherwise I'm pretty much live and let live. Child #2 had a girl friend over yesterday and she became extremely agitated over some teeny tiny bug you could hardly see. |
joy
Citizen
Username: Joy
Post Number: 482
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 8:46 am: |
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Alright - you're going to hate me - but call your doctor and the Health Dept.
Bate bites can easily mistaken for bug bites, and well rabies isfatal...I know, I know, but after the thread about the momma racoon by the dumpster, I googled 'rabies'. I know, I know, but it was a light day at work.
Good news - you have the bat. Bad news, well I'm not sure if they can just take a saliva sample to test it... |
doulamomma
Citizen
Username: Doulamomma
Post Number: 1562
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 8:48 am: |
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wow - I guess they are like every other critter with a season to when they would look for shelter, but I didn't know there was a time that was too late for a bat house - we bought one too but have not gotten around to figuring out how to hand it high enough.
cool, Meand - you guys are lucky to have a mom who likes bats etc! |
MeAndTheBoys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 4004
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 9:02 am: |
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O.K. Joy, this from the CDC website (emphasis on certain key points is mine):
When people think about bats, they often imagine things that are not true. Bats are not blind. They are neither rodents nor birds. They will not suck your blood -- and most do not have rabies. Bats play key roles in ecosystems around the globe, from rain forests to deserts, especially by eating insects, including agricultural pests. The best protection we can offer these unique mammals is to learn more about their habits and recognize the value of living safely with them.
How can I safely capture a bat in my home?
If a bat is present in your home and you cannot rule out the possibility of exposure, leave the bat alone and contact an animal-control or public health agency for assistance. If professional help is unavailable, use precautions to capture the bat safely, as described below.
What you will need:
• leather work gloves (put them on)
• small box or coffee can
• piece of cardboard
• tape
When the bat lands, approach it slowly, while wearing the gloves, and place the box or coffee can over it. Slide the cardboard under the container to trap the bat inside. Tape the cardboard to the container securely, and punch small holes in the cardboard, allowing the bat to breathe. Contact your health department or animal-control authority to make arrangements for rabies testing.
If you see a bat in your home and you are sure no human or pet exposure has occurred, confine the bat to a room by closing all doors and windows leading out of the room except those to the outside. The bat will probably leave soon. If not, it can be caught, as described, and released outdoors away from people and pets.
(I particularly like the part where they tell you to "put (the gloves) them on!" DUH!) |
joy
Citizen
Username: Joy
Post Number: 483
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 9:12 am: |
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Don't get me wrong - I love bats and think they're one of the coolest things (second only to raptors) around!
If you're sure no human conact has occurred, you're sure.
I'm just coming from reading all about rabies - that's all. Has anyone gotten anymore details on the sick momma racoon?
Also, you're talking to someone who took a squirrel out of the fireplace all by herself. I'm not afraid of critters and I'm raising my child the same way. Last night I had to practically pull her off a dead robin on my neighbor's yard. She was facinated by it. |
Virtual It Girl
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 4624
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 9:31 am: |
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Well, you certainly are a lot braver than I am. I do not like bugs or mice or any of that. Midnight caught a few mice this winter (in the house!) and the ten year old had to remove them. I was way too squeamish. |
Scully
Citizen
Username: Scully
Post Number: 654
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 9:36 am: |
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Doulamomma:
I was told when I bought my bat house (on Rt.22 at that wild bird food place) that in this region the bats spend spring, summer and autumn locally, then go to a warmer place for the winter. Down south they can stay put the year round.
It was suggested that around here a bat house be installed over the winter so when they come back it's ready to be discovered and settled into. It's supposed to take a season or two for them to discover and settle in to your place. The big exception is if they find someplace warm enough (like an attic) to spend the winter in. I'm SO not an expert but they seemed to know what they were talking about.
Where are you going to hang yours? On the house, a bat pole or a tree? I haven't made up my mind yet.
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greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 8073
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 9:45 am: |
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Bats can squeeze into amazing places. My neighbor found one living inside an office chair in his basement.
I was going to put up a bat house, but I don't know if I need one. I know that they need to face north. But, we have so many large, full trees in our backyard that I don't know that they need one. Any thoughts? Since they eat 10,000 mosquitos an hour, I'd love to attract more.
We have one that swoops around our backyard at night. I hope he comes back this year.
And I wouldn't worry about the neighbors; the bat is probably less likely to try to get into their house if they have one of their own in your yard (I would think). |
Pippi
Supporter
Username: Pippi
Post Number: 2354
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 9:49 am: |
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meandtheboys wins today's award for COOLEST MOLer!
brava!
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Monster©
Supporter
Username: Monster
Post Number: 3600
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 10:08 am: |
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remember my thread about the dead bat, bat rabies can also be spread through the air, it doesn't have to bite you, lose proximity is all it takes, especially in confined space.
Of course I would have to say that one would probably have to be in cave full of bats and bat droppings from what I've read. |
Bajou
Citizen
Username: Bajou
Post Number: 656
Registered: 2-2006
| | Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 10:35 am: |
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JOY:
As I am the one that posted the Raccoon link I feel somewhat responsible. First of all bats will avoid human contact at all cost and will not accidentally fly into your hair and all that nonsense. 5 - 10% of all captured bats have rabies but the key word is "captured" which means they were ill to begin with and that's why they were captured. The estimate is that less then 1% of the bat population has rabies.
It is true that bats were the cause of 24 of the 26 cases of human deaths caused by rabies but PLEASE note that this is over a span of a decade. Bat bites can go unnoticed but most deaths involved people who were living near huge bat caves where swarming is an issue.
http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn2243
http://www.bfhd.wa.gov/edu/bats.php
To bring it into perspective: 73 people die annual in the US from lightning striking them. http://www.publicaffairs.noaa.gov/grounders/lightningsafety.html
Frankly I'd rather handle a bat then deal with an influx of Mosquitoes, which are carrying plenty other diseases.
The key is to watch for unusual behavior in an animal. I bat crawling on the floor in your backyard should not be handled. A raccoon out in daylight with babies no less…should not be handled as this is highly unusual behavior.
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kathy
Citizen
Username: Kathy
Post Number: 1305
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 5:29 pm: |
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We had a bat in our basement a couple of months ago. (Never did figure out how it got in.) It was walking across the floor so I was concerned about its health. But I called Animal Control and they told me that bats cannot take off from the ground to fly--they need to climb up something to take off. It managed to walk across the basement room and I opened the door (from the outside) and with a little urging it went outside and has not been seen again. |
Jersey_Boy
Citizen
Username: Jersey_boy
Post Number: 1099
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 8:36 pm: |
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Meandtheboys,
Please read the ENTIRE CDC website.
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/rabies/Bats_&_Rabies/bats&.htm
Of interest is this "Case Report."
Case study
In February 1995, the aunt of a 4-year-old girl was awakened by the sounds of a bat in the room where the child was sleeping. The child did not wake up until the bat was captured, killed, and discarded. The girl reported no bite, and no evidence of a bite wound was found when she was examined. One month later the child became sick and died of rabies. The dead bat was recovered from the yard and tested--it had rabies.
This case demonstrates several points:
This child's infection with rabies was most likely the result of a bat bite. Children sleep heavily and may not awaken from the presence of a small bat. A bat bite can be superficial and not easily noticed.
The bat was behaving abnormally. Instead of hiding, the bat was making unusual noises and was having difficulty flying. This strange behavior should have led to a strong suspicion of rabies.
If the bat had been submitted for rabies testing, a positive test would have led to life-saving anti-rabies treatment.
Remember, in situations in which a bat is physically present and you cannot reasonably rule out having been bitten, safely capture the bat for rabies testing and seek medical attention immediately.
J.B. |
MeAndTheBoys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 4006
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 9:11 pm: |
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I can absolutely, without a doubt "rule out having been bitten." But thanks J.B.
We took it out tonight just as it was getting dark and I put it on the giant Oak tree in my back yard. We watched it climb, fairly rapidly, way up and out of site. I assume it'll fly home under cover of darkness. It was so cool to watch it climb with it's little arms/wings. |
Jersey_Boy
Citizen
Username: Jersey_boy
Post Number: 1102
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 9:36 pm: |
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I'm going to buy rabies shots online and give them to myself and my family BECAUSE of this thread.
I hope you're happy!
J.B. |
Shanabana
Citizen
Username: Shanabana
Post Number: 577
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, June 17, 2006 - 11:12 am: |
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I wanna get a bat house and put it on a bat pole. Maybe I'll even splurge and get a bat mobile!
Meand, I'm very envious! Love bats!! |
MeAndTheBoys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 4008
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, June 17, 2006 - 11:38 am: |
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Yeah, love bats. My kids said they wish they could have kept it as a pet. How cool would that be? |
tabby
Citizen
Username: Tabby
Post Number: 323
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, June 17, 2006 - 4:20 pm: |
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To the one that PL'd to me I could not reply. Regarding our bat house, it is way up in a tree in the telelphone pole in the back of our backyard (is that redundant??) We do not know if we have ever had a bat family take up residence, but in the summer in the evening, we will see a bat (or 2) flying high above.
Don't know how my kitties would react as they can't see it from the house.
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