Random question

[steuard]

So, just out of random curiosity, how does one safely remove a small bat that's hanging asleep from a curtain rod in one's living room?

No reason.


Update: My curiosity on this topic has abated.

I can happily endorse the "quickly wrap it in a towel" approach (even in awkward spaces), as long as that's coupled with leather gloves and a few other precautions. Apparently, the space between the downspout and the wall outside makes a perfectly adequate substitute for a curtain rod. Meanwhile, our bedroom doors were closed last night, so we're pretty sure he wasn't in there with us. I think we're safe.

Comments

[springbok1.livejournal.com]

I've never tried this technique myself, but have heard several other people recommend it. Get a tennis racket (or a reasonable substitute) and a towel ready. Hitting the bat with the tennis racket should stun it momentarily allowing you pick it up in a towel (wrapping it up, kind of). With it wrapped up in the towel you should be able to remove it safely.

[steuard.livejournal.com]

I had my tennis racket available in case of emergencies, but since the bat was asleep it turned out to be unnecessary. The removal process was considerably easier than I feared it might be: thank goodness the bat was a sound sleeper!

[kirin]

Butterfly/fishing net maybe? Not that you'd have any reason to own such a thing...

[pmb.livejournal.com]

If it bites you, you must kill it and save the body for science. Seriously. Many bats are carriers of rabies (both symptomatic and asymptomatic) which means that if it bites you, you need to find out if it had rabies so you can get a series of shots.

But if it's asleep, then towel + tennis racket should do the job.

[nemene.livejournal.com]

No real suggestions here, just curiosity on the results. Good luck.

[invisibor.livejournal.com]

Don't think you got bit, huh? Sounds like something a vampire would say.

[steuard.livejournal.com]

No, no, really: no bites at all. Say, how would you like to come for a visit? We've got a lovely guest room with a good lock on the outside view of the neighborhood. And don't believe everything you hear: it doesn't get that cold here, so there's no need to bring any of those awkward turtleneck shirts. Or any garlic. Especially not garlic.