Rabid Bats Confirmed in Montana: What You Need to Know

Growing up in Montana, we used to look forward to when the bats would come out at night. When we spent time at Alva Lake, it was always a highlight of our camping trips.  

Bats are great for the environment. They not only pollinate, but they also help control mosquitoes, the deadliest animal on the planet.

Why Bats Matter in Montana’s Ecosystem 

Of course, one of the downsides to bats is that they can carry rabies, which can be fatal to humans and other animals. This is very rare in Montana. 

Two rabid bats have been detected in Montana in Lewis and Clark County this year.  

The Hamilton, Montana, middle school has delayed their opening this year due to a small number of bats that have been found in the school.  

READ MORE: Bat Season in Montana: How Much Longer Will We See These Creatures

The other day, as we were sitting in our living room on a hot summer day, a bat came and grabbed onto our screen door. This is the first time we have ever had a bat at our house. I was a bit afraid, because it was still light outside and we don’t normally see bats in our neighborhood. My wife was much braver than I was.  

I spoke with Nina Heinzinger, the licensed establishment supervisor for Lewis and Clark Public Health, about the two bats that tested positive for rabies. Both bats were alive and were caught by professionals.  

What Experts Say About Bat Encounters

Heinzinger reiterated that bats found with rabies in Montana is a very rare occurence, and recommends leaving bat removal to the professionals. 

We really don't want people handling them, obviously, because that's where the risk arises, as well as having a bat inside your home if you're sleeping. 

If bats are flying around outside and aren't bothering anything, they should be left alone to do their own thing.

Let that bat be free if it's not in your house, you know a bat outside is not a threat to us unless you were to try to handle it. 

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If a bat gets inside your home you should contact animal control or a professional pest remover to handle them. Don't try to handle them yourself, and don't be afraid.