Public Health Guide
When to Submit a Bat for Rabies Testing
Not every bat encounter requires testing. But when it does, the window to act is short. Here's exactly when Florida health authorities recommend submission — and how to do it safely.
The Basics
Rabies in Florida Bats: What the Numbers Say
Approximately 6% of bats submitted for rabies testing in Florida test positive. That means the vast majority of bats you encounter are not rabid — but the 6% that are represent a serious public health risk, because rabies is nearly always fatal once symptoms appear.
The critical factor is not whether the bat looks sick. It's whether a bite or scratch was possible — and whether that contact could have gone undetected. Bat bites are small enough that they may leave no visible mark and may not be felt, particularly during sleep. This is why the CDC and Florida Department of Health use exposure scenario as the primary decision criterion, not the bat's appearance.
~6%
of tested Florida bats are rabies-positive
100%
fatal once symptoms appear without treatment
14 days
typical window to begin post-exposure prophylaxis
Submit the bat
Situations That Require Testing
Florida Department of Health guidance is clear: if any of the following scenarios apply, the bat should be submitted for testing and you should contact your county health department immediately.
Someone was sleeping in the room where the bat was found
Contact health dept immediatelyA bat in a bedroom where someone was sleeping is treated as a potential exposure by Florida health authorities — even with no visible bite wound. Bats can bite during sleep without waking the person. This is one of the most common exposure scenarios and one of the most frequently underestimated.
A child was alone in the room with the bat
Contact health dept immediatelyChildren may not recognize a bat bite, may not report it, or may not understand the significance of contact. If a child was unattended in a room where a bat was present, treat it as a potential exposure and contact the health department.
An intoxicated or heavily sedated person was in the room
Contact health dept immediatelyAnyone whose awareness was impaired — by alcohol, medication, or sedation — may not have perceived a bite or scratch. The same logic applies as with sleeping individuals: the absence of a reported bite does not rule out exposure.
A person with sensory impairment was in the room
Contact health dept immediatelyIndividuals with reduced sensation — due to neuropathy, paralysis, or other conditions — may not feel a bat bite. If someone with sensory impairment was present when the bat was found, contact the health department.
Anyone handled the bat without thick leather gloves
Contact health dept immediatelyBat bites are small. If you or anyone else picked up, moved, or handled a bat without thick leather gloves, treat it as a potential exposure. Thin work gloves, rubber gloves, or bare hands do not provide adequate protection.
A pet had contact with the bat
Contact vet immediatelyDogs and cats can be bitten by bats without the owner noticing. If your pet was in the room with a bat or had any contact with it, contact your veterinarian immediately. Pets with current rabies vaccinations may need a booster; unvaccinated pets face a more serious protocol.
The bat was found inside the home with no clear entry point
Consult health deptIf a bat was found inside the living space and you cannot identify how it got in — meaning it may have been present for an extended period — the Florida Department of Health recommends treating it as a potential exposure, particularly if anyone in the household is a heavy sleeper.
Testing not required
When Testing Is Not Necessary
Testing is not required for every bat encounter. If none of the exposure scenarios above apply, the bat does not need to be submitted for testing.
Bat observed outside the home
A bat flying in your yard, roosting on an exterior wall, or observed at dusk emerging from your roofline does not require testing. No contact, no exposure.
Bat entered through an open door or window, no contact
If a bat flew in through an open door or window and all adults in the household were awake, aware, and had no contact with it, testing is not required. Open the door or window at dusk and allow it to exit.
Bat in the attic or eaves — not in the living space
A bat colony roosting in your attic or eaves, with no bats entering the living space, does not require testing. Schedule professional exclusion — but this is not a rabies exposure scenario.
You found a dead bat outside
A dead bat found outdoors, with no contact, does not require testing. Do not handle it with bare hands. Dispose of it using gloves and a sealed bag.
Need the bat removed from your home?
Handle the health department call first — then call us to find out how it got in.
Step-by-Step
How to Submit a Bat for Testing
Do not kill the bat in a way that damages the head
Rabies testing requires intact brain tissue. If the bat must be euthanized, contact the health department first for guidance on acceptable methods. Do not crush, freeze, or use chemicals that could degrade the tissue.
Contain the bat without touching it
Place a container (box, bucket, or jar) over the bat. Slide a piece of stiff cardboard underneath and seal it. If the bat is already dead, use thick gloves or tongs to place it in a sealed plastic bag, then a second bag.
Call your county health department
Contact the Florida Department of Health in your county before transporting the bat. They will advise on the correct submission location, packaging requirements, and whether post-exposure prophylaxis should begin before results are available. Hillsborough: (813) 307-8000. Pinellas: (727) 824-6900. Pasco: (727) 861-5280.
Keep the bat cool — not frozen
Refrigerate the contained bat (do not freeze) until it can be submitted. Freezing can degrade the brain tissue needed for testing. Submit as quickly as possible — ideally the same day.
Do not delay post-exposure prophylaxis waiting for results
If the health department determines that post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is warranted based on the exposure scenario, begin treatment immediately — do not wait for test results. PEP is highly effective when started promptly. If the bat tests negative, treatment can be discontinued.
Treatment
Post-Exposure Prophylaxis: What It Involves
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for rabies consists of a series of rabies vaccine injections and, for people who have not previously been vaccinated, a dose of rabies immune globulin (RIG) administered at the site of the wound or exposure.
PEP is not a single shot — it is a series of four vaccine doses given over 14 days (on days 0, 3, 7, and 14). It is highly effective when started before symptoms appear. Once rabies symptoms develop, the disease is nearly always fatal.
The decision to begin PEP is made by the county health department in consultation with the exposed individual's physician. It is based on the exposure scenario, the bat's availability for testing, and local rabies epidemiology. Do not attempt to self-administer or delay seeking guidance.
4 doses over 14 days
Vaccine doses
Administered at exposure site on day 0
RIG (if unvaccinated)
Nearly 100% when started before symptoms
Effectiveness
Covered by most insurance; financial assistance available
Cost
Tampa Bay Resources
County Health Department Contacts
Hillsborough County
Health Department
Pinellas County
Health Department
Pasco County
Health Department
Hernando County
Health Department
Polk County
Health Department
Manatee County
Health Department
Common Questions
Rabies Testing FAQ
How long do rabies test results take?
The Florida Department of Health laboratory typically returns results within 24 to 48 hours of receiving the specimen. This is why it's important to submit the bat as quickly as possible and, if PEP is warranted, to begin treatment without waiting for results.
What if the bat escaped before I could contain it?
If the bat escaped and a potential exposure occurred, contact the health department immediately. The absence of the bat for testing means the exposure scenario alone will drive the PEP decision. In most cases, an escaped bat in a high-risk scenario (sleeping person, child, etc.) will result in a recommendation to begin PEP.
My pet was vaccinated for rabies — do I still need to call the vet?
Yes. A pet with a current rabies vaccination that had contact with a bat should still be evaluated by a veterinarian. The vet will likely recommend a rabies booster and a 45-day observation period. An unvaccinated pet faces a more serious protocol that may include extended quarantine.
Can I submit the bat myself to the health department?
In most Florida counties, you can bring a contained bat specimen directly to the county health department or a designated submission site. Call ahead — the health department will confirm the correct location, hours, and packaging requirements for your county.
Is rabies testing free?
Rabies testing of the bat specimen is typically performed at no cost through the Florida Department of Health laboratory. Post-exposure prophylaxis costs vary — most health insurance plans cover PEP, and financial assistance is available through county health departments for uninsured individuals.
What if I find a bat and I'm not sure if contact occurred?
When in doubt, call the health department. The decision to pursue testing and PEP is a medical judgment that should be made with professional guidance, not guesswork. The health department will walk through the specific scenario with you and advise accordingly. There is no penalty for calling when you're unsure.
Bat in Your Home?
We remove bats from structures safely and legally. If you have a potential rabies exposure, call the health department first — then call us to find out how the bat got in.