Answer: Stay Away, and Call for Assistance.

Given the significant bat population in our region during the warmer months, IUP students, faculty, and staff may encounter bats in university buildings or elsewhere on campus. IUP has seen a seasonal increase in bats entering residence halls and other campus buildings.

Bats are a natural and essential part of our regional ecosystem and play an important role in controlling insect populations, but they can carry diseases that are dangerous to people, including rabies.

The information below outlines University protocols for responding to bats found inside campus buildings and provides guidance to help protect the health and safety of individuals who have had, or may have had, direct contact with a bat.

If you find a bat inside a campus building:

  • Never handle a bat with your bare hands.
  • Do not disturb a resting bat.
  • Keep your distance. Do not approach, touch, chase, or attempt to capture the bat. Keep people and pets away from the area.
  • Do not attempt to remove the bat yourself, or “free” it from the space. Leave the area. If the bat is contained in a room or other area, exit the space and close the door to prevent it from moving to another location. It may be necessary to test the bat for diseases, so “freeing” the bat may endanger the health of persons who may have been exposed to the bat.

During traditional business hours, contact:

  • Campus buildings: Contact IUP Facilities, 724-357-2710
  • Residence Halls: Contact IUP Campus Police, 724-357-2141

During evenings and weekends: 

  • Contact IUP Campus Police, 724-357-2141
    • When reporting a bat encounter, provide the location (building and room number), time the bat was found, and any information related to possible scratches, bites, injuries, or other contact with the bat.

Potential Bat Exposure

Special precautions are necessary when a bat is found in a residential space or in a location where a person may have been exposed.

Contact IUP Campus Police at 724-357-2141 immediately if a bat is found in:

  • A residence hall room or other residential living space;
  • A room where someone was sleeping;
  • A room with an unattended child; or
  • A room with a person who may be unable to reliably recognize or report if they have had contact with the bat.

These situations may constitute a potential rabies exposure, even when no bite or scratch is observed.

Do not attempt to handle or capture the bat yourself, and do not release or dispose of the bat. The Pennsylvania Game Commission or other appropriate authorities may need to evaluate the situation and have the bat tested for rabies.

Secure the area, keep people away from the bat, and contact IUP Campus Police so the appropriate response can be coordinated.

If You Have Had Contact with a Bat

Importantly, if you have been bitten, scratched, or had direct contact with a bat, do not attempt to handle or release the bat. Report the incident immediately to Campus Police so that appropriate steps can be taken to assess the situation.

If you are unsure whether contact occurred—for example, if you woke up with a bat in your room— report the situation to Campus Police and seek medical guidance promptly to report possible exposure.

Bat Behaviors

Bats may enter buildings while looking for a place to rest, particularly during periods of significant temperature changes, especially during the fall and spring. If a bat is safely contained in an area where it is not creating a hazard, stay away, contact the appropriate university office, and allow trained personnel to determine the appropriate response.

Bats do not reproduce as rapidly as rodents and do not typically create new openings by chewing through building materials. Bat activity may increase during significant changes or extremes in temperature; in the fall, as bats seek suitable areas for hibernation; in the spring, as bats become active again; and in warmer periods when insects are abundant.

Seeing an occasional bat does not necessarily indicate that a large colony is present.

Bats play an important role in controlling insect populations. When bats are encountered on campus, the goal is to protect people while allowing bats to remain in appropriate outdoor habitats whenever possible.

Please do not attempt to capture, relocate, or kill a bat in any circumstance. Contact IUP Campus Police and/or Facilities for assistance.

Help Prevent Bats and Other Animals from Entering Buildings

To help to prevent bats and other wildlife from entering buildings, please follow these guidelines:

  • Keep windows and exterior doors closed, particularly during the evening.
  • Do not prop exterior doors open.
  • Report damaged doors, screens, or other potential openings to Facilities
  • Promptly report any bats observed inside university buildings.

Additional Resources

Contact Information