Q: Recently you described how to get bats out of an attic. Why didn’t you mention hanging a bat house outdoors so they would have somewhere to go?

A: I didn’t mention bats houses for two reasons: they are rarely successful and I don’t think encouraging bats to live near people is a good idea. Most of the bat houses I see hung on poles or trees are useful for yard art, nothing more. Bats almost never set up housekeeping in them.

Although bats might not carry rabies as commonly as do racoons and foxes, I still worry about the possibility of infection. My recommendation regarding all wild animals is to leave them alone and never attempt to attract them to your property. Teach your children that although bats are beneficial, not fearsome, they should never handle a bat they find lying on the ground.