Resources

Here are answers and links to the most common questions that people ask us about bats.  If you cant find what you are looking for please email us at [email protected] and we will do our best to help.
I found a bat.  Who can I call for help?
  • You can call the Vermont Bat Center any time, day or night, at 802-891-6667.
  • You can call the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department office at 802-353-4818 during business hours.
  • You can call the rabies hotline at 1-800-4RABIES (1-800-472-2437) during business hours.
What do I do if I find a bat in my house?
You can call the Vermont Bat Center (802-891-6667) and we will help you safely capture the bat.
  1. Stay calm!  The bat will not attack you.
  2. Keep your eye on the bat.  It will try to hide and then it will be difficult to find. 
  3. Have someone get you a small container like a shoe box or a container and a piece of cardboard (or stiff paper).
  4. Wait for the bat to land. 
  5. Slowly approach it and gently cover it with the container.  Then slide the cardboard between the container and the surface where the bat has landed.  This will gently push the bat into the container.
  6. Hold the cardboard over the container as you remove it from the surface.  Tape the cardboard to the container so the bat cannot get out.
Call the Vermont Bat Center at 802-891-6667 and we will help you with what to do next.
Here is a document that might help, it includes step-by-step pictures of the above process: http://www.batcon.org/resources/for-specific-issues/bats-in-buildings/removing-a-single-bat
You can watch a video on how to capture a bat:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzax0V0DG_M
Answers to the most common questions about Vermont Bats can be found here.
Want details about the 9 bat species that are found in Vermont?
I found bats living in my attic.  How do I exclude bats from my house?
Who are the Vermont wildlife rehabilitators and which of them will accept bats? 
         Call VBC for help - 802-891-6667.

Where can I find up to date information about White Nose Syndrome?
Where can I find plans on how to build a bat house?
Where can I buy a bat house?
There are many companies and organizations that sell bat houses.  You must be careful though.  Many are poorly constructed or the design of the bat house will not attract bats.  A bat house should not look like a bird house with no bottom.  It should be wide and tall with roosting chambers that are ¾ inch.  It should have grooves or mesh on the roosting surfaces.  It should be painted black if it will be put up in Vermont.
Here are some places to buy a bat house.  There are many others. 
How should I mount my bat house?
If you are interested in more information about injured and orphaned wildlife in Vermont here is a link with lots of information:
Do you want to know how to become a Wildlife Rehabilitator?
What is the Wildlife Action Plan for Vermont?
  • Under development