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.