First bat bite came by accident. I was removing an excluder from a ridge vent exit set up attached with some duct tape and staples after the completion of a job in Ohio. When pulling the device off from its attachment point, little did I know there was a small brown partially stuck to some of the adhesive of the duct tape.
As I was pulling the tape off the device to roll it up and discard it, I realized too late that a bat was attached to a small piece of the exposed adhesive part of the tape and I had no gloves on at the time. I saw it and recognized it but it bit me at near the same time before I could react to it.
I felt the small bite and just a tiny spot of blood develop. I cleaned the bite quckly once I got off the roof. We always carry first aid, antiseptics, bandages and suture kits in all our vehicles for small injuries.
Don't think they can't bite easily with those little sharp teeth. I had one bite and make contact thru a cotton glove the second time. Most bats aren't infected with rabies but you don't want to play roulette with that deal.
I had my first pre exposure immunization treatments in 1989 so I didn't have much concern, my titer count has remained good over the years as I had it checked periodically. I have since had a few bites from coon, fox, small rodents and coyote so I have had 3 more treatments over the last 35 years.
Just comes with my lifestyle and handling many critters more than most.
