09/14/2026
As fall temperatures give us relief from the summer heat, hibernating animals begin moving towards their winter homes. Along the river especially, bats are often seen as they pause their journey temporarily to get their fill of insects before continuing south to their winter residences. Contrary to popular belief, they're usually not interested in biting you or hanging out in your hair (even if you're having a 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 good hair day).
If you encounter a bat this time of year that is hanging out in the same area during the day, day after day, it's probably just eating your bugs at night before it moves on. Fewer than 1% (estimated around 0.1% or less than 1 in 20,000 in healthy, normal colonies) of wild bats carry the rabies virus. Nonetheless, it is a very serious illness.
If you find a bat inside your living area, or if a person or pet has had potential physical contact with a bat (such as a bite, scratch, or waking up in a room with one), do not handle it; instead contact the your county health district to report the exposure and seek guidance on testing or preventative vaccines.
To report bats acting strangely during the day, or to report dead bats without human contact, contact WDFW or IDFG; both agencies have reporting forms available online.
