Los Angeles County has confirmed 69 rabid bats this year, turning up at schools, offices, and backyards across the region, according to public health officials. I checked the county’s public health reporting, and the number reflects cases gathered since the start of the year, with the bats found in a mix of residential and commercial settings.
The reason the count matters is that bat bites can be tiny, often feeling like a pinprick or going unnoticed entirely. That makes it easy for someone to be exposed to rabies without realizing it until symptoms appear, which is why public health agencies in California urge anyone who has had direct contact with a bat to seek medical advice right away.
What This Means for Homeowners
For a homeowner in Los Angeles County, a bat in the living space is not something to handle directly. The safest step is to leave the bat alone, close off the room if possible, and contact the local animal control officer or public health department to have it safely removed and tested for rabies.
If a bat has roosted in an attic or behind walls, that is a separate problem that needs attention, and you can see the signs and removal options in our guide on bats in walls. Keep in mind that bats are protected under California law, and there are specific legal rules about when and how they can be excluded from a home , I looked at the state-by-state breakdown in Are Bats Protected? Legal Guide by State to confirm.
The Cool Down reported the figure, and the county’s public health department has been tracking these cases closely this year. For anyone who wakes up with a bat in the room, the advice from public health officials is consistent: do not release it, have it tested, and contact a doctor about rabies exposure, even if you cannot find a bite mark.
The notice is published by The Cool Down at www.thecooldown.com.
