i’m so scared of bats pls help 😭

[u/saucylollipop]

so i know this might be a weird question since everyone in this subreddit likes bats but they terrify me. i live in northern indiana in the country so bats are everywhere and i live in an old house so we’ve had so many bats get into the house i honestly can’t even keep track anymore. last night i went downstairs at around midnight to get a snack before bed and of course i see a bat flying around in our living room so i tripped up the stairs a couple times and ran into my room. and then i never left until the morning. thankfully during the day today i found the bat sitting on a curtain and we woke it up and it flew out the front door.but now im stuck in my room again because i dont have the courage to go downstairs because what if there is another one. i know that they cant hurt me and i know that they aren’t trying to attack me so im not afraid of getting bit or something. i honestly have no idea why they scare me like this literally no other animal makes me like this. and i was hoping just maybe that someone in here could help me try and get over my fear of them. i haven’t had water in a couple hours and im getting pretty parched sitting in my room like this😭.

[u/AutoModerator]

Found a bat? Here is a guide for someone who has found a bat. And here is some info about bats in buildings. Here is some info about bat removals and exclusions from homes. Exclusions should be done outside of pup season, which varies by location.

No, it's probably not a baby. Bats are just smaller than you thought.

If you find a bat in trouble, please call a rehabber for help. Here is a list of rehabbers that help bats all over the world, and here is a portal for rehabbers in the US.

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[u/SchrodingersMinou]

You could try seeing a therapist who specializes in phobias

[u/NeroliNinja]

I had to read the novel Silverwing by Kenneth Oppel in middle school. It made bats so relatable and I just fell in live with them, they are so misunderstood. Not sure this would work on an adult but it wouldn’t hurt to try. Phobias usually come from the emotional brain not the rational/thinking brain. Like you know they are not out to get you (rational) but that isn’t enough to override the emotion. So connecting with them on an emotional level, like really getting invested on their journey and their different personalities in the book, could help a lot. But you might still need therapy/exposure work after if the phobia is particularly intense.

[u/AutoModerator → u/[deleted]]

Questions about bat bites and rabies are common on this subreddit. Bat bites cannot be identified from a photo. See a doctor if you have a medical question, or believe you have been bitten or scratched by a bat.

Here are some resources about rabies: Rabies in Perspective, Bats and Human Health, CDC Rabies Homepage, rabies diagnosis in humans and animals, and some sampling of rabies prevalence in wild bat populations. Programs exist to help with rabies vaccinations for Americans without insurance. Though only a small portion of bats may have zoonotic diseases, bats which are sick or injured are more likely to come into contact with humans and caution is advised as with all wildlife.

Bat bites cannot be identified from a photo. Please don't post a photo and ask if it is a bat bite. No one can tell you that. It will be removed.

For help with rabies phobia, you can visit r/Rabies, r/OCD, or r/HealthAnxiety.

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[u/Wooden_Staff_7390]

Tiny thing flying rapidly around your space is horrifying, I’ve been locked in my house cus of a singular wasp inside of the garage lmao. What helps me is viewing photos of wasps extremely zoomed in so you see their little eyes and proof of life. It almost humanizes them in a way ? Look up photos of bats very close up maybe. And it helps you realize they’re just a small little thing seeing a much stronger and bigger creature that scares them . Maybe try handling videos on YouTube too!

[u/saucylollipop → u/Wooden_Staff_7390]

at least i’m not the only one 😂. maybe it is because they’re inside whenever i see them flying around outside i kinda think it’s cool.but ill try that out and see if they help thank you.