A bat flying through your home may seem like a minor nuisance, but it can be a serious health concern. In British Columbia, bats are the wildlife species most commonly associated with rabies exposure in humans. Although only a small percentage of bats carry the virus, even a single bite or scratch can require urgent medical attention.
The good news is that rabies is almost entirely preventable when a potential exposure is recognized and treated quickly. The key is knowing what to do—and who to call.
If you’ve discovered a bat in your home, attic, garage, or other building, don’t take unnecessary risks. The team at Go Green Pest Control provides safe, humane bat exclusion services that help protect your family, your pets, and your property. Call 778-886-4111 to schedule a professional inspection and keep your home bat-free.
By the Team at Go Green Pest Control
Finding a bat in your home can be alarming. While bats play an important role in British Columbia’s ecosystem by consuming thousands of insects every night, they can also present a health risk when they enter homes or have close contact with people or pets.
At Go Green Pest Control, we help homeowners throughout British Columbia safely remove bats from their properties while protecting both your family and local wildlife. If you suspect bats have entered your attic, walls, or living space, call us at 778-886-4111 for professional assistance.
Do Bats in British Columbia Carry Rabies?
Although only a small percentage of bats carry the rabies virus, bats are the most common source of human rabies exposure in Canada. Because a bat’s teeth are very small, a bite may not leave an obvious mark. For this reason, any direct contact with a bat should be taken seriously.
Public health authorities recommend seeking immediate medical advice if:
- A bat bites or scratches you.
- You wake up and find a bat in your bedroom.
- A bat is found in a room with a sleeping person, young child, or someone who may not be able to report a bite.
- A pet has had contact with a bat.
Prompt medical assessment can determine whether rabies post-exposure treatment is needed.
How Serious Is Rabies?
Rabies is one of the most serious viral diseases affecting humans. Once symptoms develop, the disease is almost always fatal. The good news is that rabies is preventable when medical treatment is started promptly after a potential exposure.
This is why every possible bat exposure should be treated seriously. Acting quickly can make all the difference.
Signs and Stages of Rabies in Humans
Rabies does not cause symptoms immediately. The virus can take weeks or even months to travel through the body before illness develops.
Early Symptoms
The first symptoms often resemble the flu and may include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Pain, tingling, or numbness near the bite or scratch site
As the virus reaches the brain, symptoms become much more severe.
Advanced Illness
As rabies progresses, a person may develop:
- Anxiety or confusion
- Difficulty swallowing
- Excessive saliva production
- Muscle spasms
- Agitation
- Paralysis
- Difficulty breathing
Once these neurological symptoms appear, treatment is generally no longer effective. This is why immediate medical evaluation after any possible exposure is critical.
How to Protect Yourself from Bat-Related Rabies
You can greatly reduce your risk by following a few simple precautions:
- Never touch a bat with bare hands.
- Teach children never to pick up injured or grounded bats.
- Keep pets vaccinated against rabies.
- Seal openings around your home’s roofline, vents, soffits, chimneys, and siding.
- Install chimney caps and properly screened attic vents.
- Contact a professional if bats are roosting inside your home.
If you discover a bat indoors, isolate the room if possible, keep people and pets away, and contact a professional for safe removal.
Why DIY Bat Removal Isn’t Recommended
Removing bats without proper equipment can increase your risk of bites or scratches. In addition, bats are protected wildlife, and improper exclusion methods can trap young bats inside structures or cause unnecessary harm.
Professional bat exclusion focuses on safely allowing bats to leave while preventing them from returning.
Signs You May Have Bats in Your Home
Watch for these common indicators:
- Scratching or fluttering sounds in the attic around dusk or dawn
- Bats flying around your roofline at sunset
- Small dark droppings (guano) in the attic or near entry points
- Brown or black staining around gaps where bats enter
- Strong ammonia-like odours from accumulated guano
Early intervention helps prevent larger colonies from becoming established.
Why Choose Go Green Pest Control?
At Go Green Pest Control, we use responsible, humane bat exclusion methods designed to solve the problem while respecting British Columbia’s wildlife regulations.
Our experienced team will:
- Inspect your property to locate bat entry points.
- Safely remove and exclude bats.
- Seal potential entry areas.
- Provide recommendations to help prevent future infestations.
- Help homeowners understand when medical follow-up may be appropriate after potential exposure.
If you’ve found a bat in your home or suspect bats are living in your attic, don’t wait.
Call Go Green Pest Control today at 778-886-4111 for professional bat removal and exclusion services.
Protect Your Family Before a Small Bat Problem Becomes a Big One
Bats are valuable members of our ecosystem, but they do not belong inside your home. Professional removal protects your family, your pets, and the bats themselves.
Contact Go Green Pest Control at 778-886-4111 to schedule an inspection and enjoy the peace of mind that comes from a safe, bat-free home.