Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
I stopped by the grocery store today and spotted what I thought was a small bird, but it turned out to be a tiny bat trapped inside. Because bats can carry rabies and have bites so small you might not feel them, health officials recommend never touching them with your bare hands. In a public store, the safest move is immediately alerting store management so local animal control or wildlife rescue can safely contain it. Check out the proper steps below to keep both people and bats safe!
What to do if a bat is trapped in a building:
Keep Your Distance: Never handle a bat with bare hands or attempt to catch it while it is actively flying.
Alert Management: Let store staff know so they can keep people away from the area and contact Animal Control.
Safe Home Containment (If at Home): If a bat lands in an isolated room at home with no known contact, put on thick leather gloves, place a plastic box over it, slide sturdy cardboard underneath, and contact wildlife rescue.
When Testing is Required: If a bat was found in a room with a sleeping person, child, or pet, do not release it—call public health or animal control immediately for rabies evaluation.
Q: Did I try to catch the bat myself inside the store?
A: No, I didn't try to catch it. Because it was actively flying around the ceiling in a busy public store, trying to grab it would have stressed the little guy out and put people at risk.
Q: Why shouldn't someone pick up a grounded bat with bare hands?
A: I learned that bat teeth are so tiny and sharp that a bite or scratch can happen without you even feeling it. Since bats are the primary carrier of rabies in North America, experts always recommend using thick work gloves or calling a professional.
Q: Who did I inform about the bat?
A: I walked up to the front desk and let the store manager know exactly which aisle the bat was hovering over so their team could monitor the area and contact our local animal control.
Q: Can bats safely find their own way out of buildings?
A: In some cases, yes! Wildlife experts mention that if exterior doors or loading docks can be propped open after hours with the bright lights dimmed, a bat can often echolocate its way back into the night air.
Q: Is it common for young bats to get trapped indoors during late summer?
A: Yes, late summer is when young bats are learning to fly and navigate on their own. They frequently make navigation mistakes and slip through open doors, loading docks, or tiny roof gaps chasing bugs.
Q: What is the proper bucket-and-cardboard method if you find a grounded bat at home?
A: From the guidance I reviewed, you wear heavy leather gloves, wait until the bat lands, place a sturdy container or shoe box gently over it, and slowly slide a piece of cardboard underneath to seal it safely before calling wildlife rescue.
I stopped by the grocery store today and spotted what I thought was a small bird, but it turned out to be a tiny bat trapped inside. Because bats can carry rabies and have bites so small you might not feel them, health officials recommend never touching them with your bare hands. In a public store, the safest move is immediately alerting store management so local animal control or wildlife rescue can safely contain it. Check out the proper steps below to keep both people and bats safe!
What to do if a bat is trapped in a building:
Keep Your Distance: Never handle a bat with bare hands or attempt to catch it while it is actively flying.
Alert Management: Let store staff know so they can keep people away from the area and contact Animal Control.
Safe Home Containment (If at Home): If a bat lands in an isolated room at home with no known contact, put on thick leather gloves, place a plastic box over it, slide sturdy cardboard underneath, and contact wildlife rescue.
When Testing is Required: If a bat was found in a room with a sleeping person, child, or pet, do not release it—call public health or animal control immediately for rabies evaluation.
Q: Did I try to catch the bat myself inside the store?
A: No, I didn't try to catch it. Because it was actively flying around the ceiling in a busy public store, trying to grab it would have stressed the little guy out and put people at risk.
Q: Why shouldn't someone pick up a grounded bat with bare hands?
A: I learned that bat teeth are so tiny and sharp that a bite or scratch can happen without you even feeling it. Since bats are the primary carrier of rabies in North America, experts always recommend using thick work gloves or calling a professional.
Q: Who did I inform about the bat?
A: I walked up to the front desk and let the store manager know exactly which aisle the bat was hovering over so their team could monitor the area and contact our local animal control.
Q: Can bats safely find their own way out of buildings?
A: In some cases, yes! Wildlife experts mention that if exterior doors or loading docks can be propped open after hours with the bright lights dimmed, a bat can often echolocate its way back into the night air.
Q: Is it common for young bats to get trapped indoors during late summer?
A: Yes, late summer is when young bats are learning to fly and navigate on their own. They frequently make navigation mistakes and slip through open doors, loading docks, or tiny roof gaps chasing bugs.
Q: What is the proper bucket-and-cardboard method if you find a grounded bat at home?
A: From the guidance I reviewed, you wear heavy leather gloves, wait until the bat lands, place a sturdy container or shoe box gently over it, and slowly slide a piece of cardboard underneath to seal it safely before calling wildlife rescue.
