Flying mammals

[kz_blogorambling]

I just captured my second bat in two weeks. I don't know how they are getting in to this building, but it's clearly not a fluke.

Last week, my officemates spotted it early in the morning but waited for me to arrive to get it, because we've long had a fear that our landlords would kill or hurt any bat they had to capture (which is, I've found out, not true). As long as bats are just clinging to the wall, they're wicked easy to catch. This time the bat was spotted first by the people who work in the neighboring office. The guy there called the landlord first, and then came to alert us to the "menace," at which point I rolled my eyes, grabbed some tupperware and a file folder, and caught the damned thing in 90 seconds. I think he (our neighbor, not the bat) was embarrassed, because he's pretty big guy, close to seven feet tall . . . and there I was, some dumb broad in a skirt doing the thing without protective gear.

I'm pretty sure it was a different bat--bigger. The great thing about catching them in a clear tupperware container is that you can get a really good look at them while they glare at you. Christ do they have teeth galore, though.

The landlord just stopped by, and told me he uses his hands. No wonder they use gloves! I'm a tupperware girl. Put it over them, then slide a file folder up to dislodge their claws, voila, bat in a box.

Comments

[blanx73.livejournal.com]

Step 1, you cut a hole in the box...

Step 2, you put your bat in the box...

[sugar-mcduff.livejournal.com]

Make her open the box...

[delphica.livejournal.com]

I think he was embarrassed, because he's pretty big guy, close to seven feet tall . . .

Good GRIEF, I swear I thought you were talking about the bat, that he was embarrassed you caught him so easily, because he's supposed to be a big bad menace, so it was really a shock to read that he was seven feet tall!

[crankyasanoldma.livejournal.com]

Hee. That *was* a little ambiguous, wasn't it?

Although I love bats, I'm pretty sure if I saw a 7-foot bat in our hallway I'd decline any requests to catch it.

[gundy.livejournal.com]

This makes for a fantastic mental image of Cranky just talking the 7' bat into the tupperware.

[delphica.livejournal.com]

And that she's so resourceful that she is prepared with Tupperware that can accommodate a 7' bat.

[crankyasanoldma.livejournal.com]

Oh, you'd just love our office. After our landlord put in the new kitchen, someone went out and bought these pyrex storage bowls with lids, and we're all just so ORGANIZED after potlucks!

[jdoh.livejournal.com]

I had no idea you were so brave when it comes to bats. I would never try to catch one in a tupperware container. I don't care how easy you say it is.

The whole teeth and rabies thing just leave me less than thrilled about a one on one run in with a bat, any kind of bat.

[democritus.livejournal.com]

Yeah I feel the same way. Plus, I don't want to be turned into a vampire...much.

You're a brave soul, Karen.

[jessity.livejournal.com]

No kidding. I uh. . . freaked a few months ago when a *wounded* baby bird managed to get in my kitchen - it couldn't even fly - and I was on the phone with my sister CRYING, begging her to have my BIL come take care of it. They live 230 miles away. Probably needless to say, I would for damn sure not be capturing bats.

[100ofme.livejournal.com]

Wow good for you for catching it. I used to always tease my friend about bats who is horribly terrified of them until one night I was in my attic and a bat came flying right at my head. Let's just say I'd rather not come face to face with them. Although during the day when they are fairly inactive and just quietly clinging to a wall might not seem so bad.

[scout1222.livejournal.com]

Yikes. I'm glad you didn't send me a picture of the bat.

[js-africanus.livejournal.com]

Weird! I just posted about a bat in my place last night, then I go to my friends page and see this!

[crankyasanoldma.livejournal.com]

The landlord said that every year they go through a 2-3 week period where the bats seem to be coming inside, and they get a lot of calls. Then it stops. Maybe this is the week, and it extends up north, too!

[js-africanus.livejournal.com]

Could be!

[sugar-mcduff.livejournal.com]

I caught one that way. They're pretty cool when they aren't flying around your head.

Back when we lived in Indiana we had one get into our house. I woke up at 1 a.m. to this rhythmic "swoosh" sound. When I turned on the light I discovered a bat circling our bed. My husband and I screamed like little girls and ran for cover. We didn't get it out of the house until two nights later.

[troubleagain.livejournal.com]

That's how I catch frogs, spiders, and sometimes lizards to put outside. I don't want to hurt them, but I don't want to touch them, either.

[politzania.livejournal.com]

My parents deal with bats in their belfry (so to speak) a couple of times a year - if they're flying, they toss a towel over it - carry the bundle outside & flap the towel to free the bat.
I'm not sure what their stationary bat technique is - will have to recommend the manila folder/clear plasticware possibility.