If the bat is awake and flying when first noticed, close doors to confine the bat in one room. Then, in that room, open the doors and windows to the outside and allow the bat to fly out of the building. It is best to do this at or after dusk. If this does not work, capture the bat (wear leather gloves to protect your hands) in a towel, or use a container such as a small trashcan or bowl to place over the bat when it lands. Take the container outside and shake the bat out onto a tree branch or surface from which it can fly away. Do not drop it onto the ground or into the snow, as it will have difficulty flying from such a cold, low spot. If the weather is severely cold, release the bat in a sheltered area or contact a local wildlife rehabilitator. A list of current wildlife rehabilitators can be found at: mndnr.gov/eco/nongame/rehabilitation

- Lori Naumann, DNR nongame wildlife information officer