July 2026 Bat and Human Interaction Report: Encounters in Homes, Businesses, and Public Spaces

July’s bat reports covered a wide range of events across the United States. Rabies-positive bats were found in both residential and public areas, while several unusual incidents brought bats into restaurants, parks, tourist attractions, and other places where people gather.

At the same time, bats were still often seen in people’s homes. Public health departments continued tracking rabies-positive bats and issuing reminders about the risks of direct contact, particularly when a bat is found indoors or may have come into contact with a person or pet.

The following reports highlight notable bat and human encounters during July:

Bat Encounters Extend Beyond the Home

Some of July’s most unusual reports involved bats appearing in places where people were eating, visiting, or spending time outdoors.

On July 19, a bat landed on a table while a family was eating at the Yellow Deli restaurant in Vista, California. Another diner used a towel to collect the bat and brought it to the Humane Society for testing.

The bat later tested positive for rabies. San Diego County health officials asked anyone who may have had direct contact with the animal to seek medical advice. At the time of the county’s announcement, no direct skin contact had been reported.

Another unusual encounter occurred at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, where a dead bat found near the Oasis on the Rocks restaurant tested positive for rabies. According to the county, a trained park employee collected the bat.

This was the 19th bat in San Diego County this year to test positive for rabies, compared with 21 positive bats reported in 2025. Although no direct exposure to humans was recorded, the public health department asked anyone who may have physical contact with the bat to get in touch with them.

In Fort Mill, South Carolina, a bat found in a residential neighborhood tested positive for rabies. Four people who had come into contact with the bat were referred to healthcare providers for assessment.

Health officials warned that bat bites can be difficult to notice because of their small size. They also noted that anyone who wakes up to find a bat in a room should seek medical advice, as an exposure may occur without the person realizing it.

A bat found at Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park in Renton, Washington, tested positive for rabies in late July.

Bats Continue Turning Up Inside Homes

While several incidents in July occurred in public places, homes remained a significant part of the month’s reports. Indoor encounters can be particularly concerning because people may not always know whether they had contact with a bat.

A resident in Painesville, Ohio, found a bat inside their home that later tested positive for rabies. It was the first rabid bat reported in Lake County since 2022.

Health officials also reminded pet owners that dogs, cats, and ferrets over four months old must be kept up to date on their rabies vaccinations.

Rabies Surveillance Remains Active Across the Country

Beyond individual encounters, July saw continued reports of rabies-positive bats from across the country. Together, these cases showed that rabies monitoring continued into the summer months.

Oregon Rabies-Positive Bat Cases Reach Previous Record

By July 30, that statewide total had risen to 22, according to reporting from KOIN News citing Oregon Health Authority data. The number matched Oregon’s previous record for rabies-positive bats in a single year, prompting officials to estimate that the record could be surpassed before the end of 2026.

Health officials continued urging residents to avoid touching sick or dead bats and to keep pets away from them. They also reminded residents to contact health authorities or a veterinarian if a person or pet may have been exposed.

Two Rabid Bats Confirmed in Niagara County

Niagara County, New York, confirmed two rabies-positive bats in July, with cases reported in Hartland and Lewiston. In Hartland, a dog came into contact with the bat and received a rabies shot as a safety measure, while no exposure to humans was reported.

The Lewiston incident involved four household members who were referred for post-exposure treatment. Three dogs in the home were also given precautionary booster shots.

Two Positive Bats Found in Tehama County Neighborhoods

Two bats found in residential communities in Tehama County, California, also tested positive for rabies during July.

The cases occurred in the Antelope and Bend areas near Red Bluff. Health officials reminded residents not to handle bats and emphasized the importance of keeping pets vaccinated against rabies.

Key Takeaways

The July reports highlighted several recurring patterns in bat and human encounters, from unusual public sightings to rabies-positive bats found in residential areas.

• July’s bat encounters extended beyond homes, with reports involving restaurants, parks, tourist attractions, and residential neighborhoods.
• Several incidents involved potential human exposure, including cases where multiple people were referred for medical evaluation.
• Pets were also involved in several rabies investigations, with some receiving precautionary vaccinations after contact with rabid bats.
• Rabies-positive bats continued to be detected across multiple states, with some areas reporting higher-than-usual numbers for the year.
• Indoor encounters remained a concern, particularly when bats were found in homes where people may have been sleeping or unaware of possible contact.

When Bat Encounters Reach Homes and Businesses

Seeing a bat outdoors is a normal part of summer wildlife activity. Finding bats repeatedly around a home or business, however, may indicate that the structure is being used as a roost.

Bats can find safe places to rest or start colonies in attics, chimneys, soffits, rooflines, sheds, and other sheltered places. If bats are entering a building, removing a single bat may not stop them from getting in. Finding their entry points and using humane bat exclusion methods can help keep them from returning.

At Get Bats Out, our team provides humane bat removal, professional exclusion, and long-term prevention solutions for homes and businesses. If you suspect bats are living on your property, a professional inspection can help identify where they’re entering and determine the safest way to address the problem.

Your Local Bat Removal Specialist,

Michael Koski | Owner & President | Get Bats Out