Orange County Department of Health reminds resident to beware of bats

ORLANDO, Fla. — With springtime right around the corner, The Florida Department of Health in Orange County is reminding residents to take precautions against bats that may seek shelter inside homes and buildings.

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It is illegal to harm or kill bats in Florida, but they can be legally excluded from a building or structure. Bat colonies can be excluded by following recommended practices that protect both bats and people. To exclude bat colonies, residents can contact the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation.

During maternity season, which runs from April 15 to August 15, bats are not to be disturbed.

To exclude bat colonies, residents can contact the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation.

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While bats play an important role in controlling insects and aiding agriculture, they can carry rabies. To avoid potential exposure, residents are urged to avoid bats.

If a bat is found during daylight hours, it is most likely unhealthy and should be avoided.

If a resident or family member is bitten or scratched by a bat, they should seek medical attention and contact Orange County Animal Services.

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The Florida Department of Health in Orange County wants to remind residents to take these simple steps to protect yourself and your family:

• Never handle bats AND be sure that your kids understand the importance of this
• Make sure your pets are up to date on their rabies vaccine
• Use screens in all open windows
• Secure any opens to your attic/roof

If you find a dead bat on your property and you are certain no human or pet contact has occurred, please take extra precaution when disposing of the bat.

• Wear heavy gloves, or preferably scoop up the dead bat with a shovel while wearing disposable gloves.
• Burry the bat at a depth of at least 1 ft. under the surface or dispose of it in the garbage receptacle.
• If you place it in the garbage, please consider the safety of others and ensure that no accidental contact will be made with the dead bat, by double bagging it in plastic garbage bags.
• Wash your hands thoroughly and dispose of the gloves.

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Rabies is a fatal disease of the nervous system that is spread through saliva. Humans may become infected through a bite wound, scratch, or exposure of a fresh cut to saliva of a rabid animal. The only treatment for human exposure to rabies is rabies-specific immune globulin and rabies immunization, which should be started soon after exposure.

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