How to Get Rid of a Bat on the Porch

Bats are most likely to come to a porch in search of the moths that porch lights attract or the mosquitoes that the presence of people attracts. This shouldn’t be too much of a problem. The bats mind their own business, consuming pests as they do. However, if an injured or juvenile bat is crawling on the porch, you might need to take action.

Work gloves
Cardboard shoebox
Knife
Sheet of cardboard
Small rock
Saucers or plastic lids
Mealworms
Duct tape
Pipette

Instructions

- 1
  Take cats or dogs inside if you see a bat crawling on the porch. Your pet might not only kill or further injure the bat; it might pick up parasites or pathogens while doing so.
- 2
  Observe the bat for a while. It may only be stunned, perhaps from a collision, and will fly away of its own accord after a few minutes. If it starts to crawl up a post, column or wall, let it.
- 3
  Put on work gloves if the bat appears injured. Bats may carry diseases, and scratches or bites are potentially dangerous.
- 4
  Make numerous 1/4-inch holes in the lid of the shoebox with a sharp knife.
- 5
  Place the body of the shoebox over the bat. Slide the sheet of cardboard underneath and slowly turn the shoebox over. Replace the sheet of cardboard with the lid. A small rock on top stops the bat from crawling out.
- 6
  Contact animal control or a local branch of an animal charity such as the ASPCA or Humane Society immediately for further advice and assistance. Do not attempt to treat the bat unless you have specific training. This could be dangerous to both the bat and to you.
- 7
  Place water and a few mealworms, if you have any, in small saucers or plastic lids in the box and secure the lid with duct tape, if you have to wait until the morning to contact the professionals.
- 8
  Give the bat a little water with a pipette for emergency rehydration if you have to wait a few hours for help.

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