Figure 2. People surveyed about human-bat interactions in their
buildings reported both direct (e.g., touching, scratches, bites, etc.)
and indirect (e.g., contact with bat excrement) contacts between humans
and bats. (A) Indirect interactions were the most reported of the two
interaction types; (B) Frequency of these contacts varied from daily
interactions to never having these interactions.
Close to half of participants (39%) reported direct contact with bats,
including people touching bats (n = 40) and one report of being
bitten. People on the property (children, spouses, custodians) other
than the respondent engaged in these interactions as well. Direct
interactions occurred with varying frequencies over time according to
respondents (Fig. 2B). Reports of direct contact did not differ
significantly based on the number of residents on the property, length
of time of bat use, or respondent demographics (gender, education, and
age; P > 0.06).
Over 90% of respondents reported indirect contact with bats, mostly
through interactions with their feces and urine (n = 98). Daily
occurrences of indirect contact were reported by most participants
(78%, χ 2 = 285.06, P < 0.01,
Fig. 2B) and children, spouses, house guests, and custodians were also
involved in these interactions. Reports of indirect contact did not
differ significantly among the number of residents on the property,
length of time of bat use, or respondent demographics (gender,
education, and age; P > 0.13).
Attempts to remove bats from buildings create opportunities for direct
human-bat contact and were reported by almost 80% of participants
(n = 81). Of those reporting removal efforts, almost half
reported direct contact with bats (n = 34). Numerous removal
methods were reported, with fumigation via pesticide, blocking access to
building entry points, and scaring bats from buildings reported more
than other methods (χ 2 = 107.37, P< 0.01; Table 1). Bats returned to the property after removals
in over 90% of cases (n = 76). Bad smells (n = 39), noise
(n = 39), dirt from feces and urine (n = 36), and damage
to property (n = 21) were the most common reasons reported for
removing bats. Significantly fewer respondents mentioned worries about
witchcraft (n = 15), that bats were a general nuisance (n=12) or
posed health risks to people (n = 8) compared to more common
removal reasons (χ 2 = 123.47, P< 0.01).
Table 1. Methods used by people to remove bats from buildings. Attempts
to remove bats were common and frequently led to direct contact with
bats that could facilitate pathogen exposure.