That's worked for me. Although, some rackets are aerodynamically rather noisy --the bats hear them move too easily. The higher-end, more aero rackets - oh yeah!

I released it but never had direct contact nor was I bitten.

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Yeah, apparently others, w/o direct contact, have contracted rabies. --so I was told by the State's rabies expert. :-\

You may want to do some deeper research.

For me, the series of shots was an out of pocket expense that I still choose to do. (based on compelling data) A series of stingy self-sticks, but at least it was expensive. :-\

Mothballs, put them in your attic. They can't stand the smell they will leave.

Going to see my PCP on Monday to discuss it. But I don't see how, lacking contact that rabies can be transmitted. However given that rabies is fatal if the MD says do it I'll do it.

My BIL told me that if you show any signs of rabies it's too late.

Yep.^ followed by brain swelling nastiness . . .and then death. (crappy way to go)

flatb, for my encounter I knew (via bat testing) that the bat had rabies. I was also in close proximity as the nasty lil beast hissed and screamed at me, on capture. That was enough for me to imagine particulate of bat-spit being sent in my direction. :-\ That, coupled with stories of other close (but not direct bite) contact transmission cases, added up for me to error on the side of caution.

For your situation you may want to check on how common it is currently for bats in your area to be carrying rabies.

Of course consider that perhaps I'm wrong about there being something very wrong about bats that find themselves in houses.... flying about seemingly batty.

Yeah my research is showing a very low incidence of rabies here but is it worth the risk...I think not. I hate taking meds of any sort without being sure I need them, but as stated once symptoms start to show it's usually too late. So I have a date with the MD on Tuesday. That office said a couple of days is ok as incubation is a few weeks.

From WHO

Types of contact are:
category I – touching or feeding animals, licks on the skin
category II - nibbling of uncovered skin, minor scratches or abrasions without bleeding, licks on broken skin
category III – single or multiple transdermal bites or scratches, contamination of mucous membrane with saliva from licks; exposure to bat bites or scratches


For category I no treatment is required, whereas for category II immediate vaccination and for category III immediate vaccination and administration of rabies immune globulin are recommended in addition to immediate washing and flushing of all bite wounds and scratches. Depending on vaccine type, the post-exposure schedule prescribes intramuscular doses of 1 ml or 0.5 ml given as four to five doses over four weeks. For rabies-exposed patients who have previously undergone complete pre-exposure vaccination or post-exposure treatment with cell-derived rabies vaccines, two intramuscular doses of a cell-derived vaccine separated by three days are sufficient. Rabies immune globulin treatment is not necessary in such cases. The same rules apply to persons vaccinated against rabies who have demonstrated neutralizing antibody titres of at least 0.5 IU/ml.

The big brown that lived in my basement was there for at least. 3 years and we saw it quite often late at night if we had business in the basement...but never had physical contact with it...as far as I know. Pretty sure no rabies either...but, I am not sure one realizes when their brain is swelling...as it might affect cognizance.

update
 

The cost of vaccination was over $12,000! We'll see what insurance will cover but...Hello payment plan.

Day-ammm... that's more than 2x what I paid (a decade+ ago). At least you have insurance. (I didn't)

The good news is that you won't have to worry about getting rabies for a very long time. For me, months after the first rabid bat, I had a second bat flying circles in the house. It was very satisfying to take a tennis racket and smack that nasty fur-ball across the room; and be done with it.

Glad to hear the update.

Wow, 12K for the rabies shots. I guess it is sorta like snake antivenom. Not a lot of cases, but the cases where it is needed it is a life saver.

I was bitten by a skunk once, years ago. I never got the shots, and of course I died...

Only one person has ever survived rabies without being vaccinated. ...

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