Can You Catch Rabies from a Bat in Your Home? What Massachusetts Families Should Know
One night, a couple in North Andover heard scratching behind their bedroom wall. They brushed it off — maybe a squirrel on the roof. A few days later, they spotted a bat circling their living room ceiling. It didn’t bite anyone. It didn’t even land. But after a quick Google search and a call to their doctor, panic set in: Could they get rabies just from being near a bat?
If you’re reading this after a similar scare, you’re not alone. Every summer, bats in Massachusetts homes raise alarm bells for a very real reason: rabies.
Do All Bats Carry Rabies?
No. In fact, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health reports that less than 1% of bats tested actually carry rabies. But here’s the problem: there’s no way to know if a bat is infected just by looking at it.
What makes it worse? Bat bites can be nearly invisible, especially if you were asleep or the person exposed is a child. That’s why doctors and animal control professionals never take chances with bat encounters indoors.
When Is It a Rabies Risk?
According to CDC and MA public health guidelines, you should act fast if:
A bat was found in the room while you were sleeping
A bat was in close proximity to a child, pet, or someone unable to communicate clearly
Someone was touched or bitten — even if there’s no visible mark
Even without a visible bite, post-exposure treatment may be recommended.
Why Are Bats in Massachusetts Homes?
Bats enter homes during late spring through early fall, especially through gaps in roofing, attic vents, or siding. They often roost in attics and wall voids, staying hidden during the day and becoming active at dusk.
Homes across Andover, North Andover, Methuen, and Haverhill are especially prone due to the mix of older construction and lush surroundings that attract bat colonies.
What Should You Do If You Find a Bat Inside?
Don’t touch it — and don’t swat at it.
If possible, trap it in a room and wait for a professional.
Call Andover Pest Control ASAP. We handle humane bat removal and make sure it’s done safely and in compliance with Massachusetts wildlife laws.
Contact your local health department or doctor for rabies guidance — especially if a person or pet may have been exposed.
Don’t Wait It Out
Some homeowners wait until “it flies away” or hope it was just a one-time visit. But where there’s one bat, there’s often more — and bat colonies in attics are more common in Essex County than most people realize.
Rabies is 100% preventable — but only with fast, correct action.
📞 Call Andover Pest Control ASAP
We help families across Andover, North Andover, and nearby Massachusetts towns protect their homes from unwanted guests — especially the winged kind. If you’ve had a bat sighting, let us take it from here.
📚 Source:
Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Rabies Information: mass.gov/guides/rabies-information
CDC:cdc.gov/rabies