Are there any bat experts who can help me get rid of a bat in my bathroom?

[Oohay]

Good evening, i have material blinds in my bathroom which i have closed with the window behind it open to let in air whilst letting out smoke as i smoke in the bathroom, this also serves as an insect barrier.

I was reaching behind the blinds when i felt something furry and screamed as i fell backward and pulled the blind of it's fixings a giant bat came flapping in i ran out and shut the door behind me but can still hear it flapping around inside the bathroom. I was scratched on the neck and face but had a lot of blood on the back of my t-shirt which must've came from the bat so it must be injured in some way.

I just want it out of my house, what's the best way to get rid of it?

I'm not a bat expert but it was a foot long and it was identical to one of these which is baffling as flying fox bats aren't native to the uk, any ideas where it came from? I'm on the Mainland of the Shetland islands if that helps.

[Oohay]

It looks like one of these

http://www.zooborns.c...120a941fcf1970b-800wi

[sandyRoe]

I believe it's a Flying Fox.

[sandyRoe]

I should have added that I'm really surprised at your story because I've never heard of one north of Aberdeen.

[FredPuli43]

Go in and leave the window open and turn the light off! It won't kill you! Bats turn up in this house from time to time; we once found one in a wardrobe; and that's the easiest thing to do. Occasionally, one is found, mysteriously, on the carpet. Then you have to grasp it, firmly but gently so you don't hurt the wings by allowing them to flap, and put it out of the window. It'll complain a bit. Don't allow it to try to bite you; but holding it like that it won't be able to.

[sherrardk]

Maybe it's an owl?

[Answerprancer]

Shikaka ! AAAgggh!
Actually, the first thing that sprung to my mind was the common noctule.

[askyourgran]

It's a big booger whatever it is. Turn the light off and open the window wide they have a good radar it will most likely find it's way out. You'd better wash your scratches and use some antiseptic cream, and keep an eye on them for a few days or go see your doc. I think bats can carry infections.

[boxtops]

make sure you are up to date with your tetanus jabs (people should be, anyway)

[jno]

of course it might have turned into Christopher Lee by now.

[sandyRoe]

Lucy, come open the window...
The window, Lucy. Open the window...

[thenry]

If you have a bat in your shed just bat the bat !

[hc4361]

A foot long!

[humbersloop]

I'd be more worried about running around the house with a lighted fag if I were you - are you exposing small children to smoke?

[hc4361]

"If you find a bat in Shetland - do not handle it without protective gloves and please contact the Scottish Natural Heritage Office in Lerwick [phone], who will be able to advise on the best way to deal with it safely, which may involve them air-freighting it south to be rehabilitated in Scotland!"

http://www.nature-shetland.co.uk/brc/bats.htm

[humbersloop]

^^ sandy, now don't be frightening the littles with the vampire stories

[hc4361]

sandy, bats have been seen in the Shetlands

[rowanwitch]

they always seem bigger when you are startled... just put on some soft gloves pick it of the blinds and let it go

[sandyRoe]

Hc4361, true. But I still maintain that there are very few Flying Foxes to be found north of Aberdeen.

[friedgreentomato]

I have handled many a bat and never been hurt they normally are so stunned they just lie there. Phone your local bat protection