Bats love warm places to roost like barns and hay sheds. Bat houses should be placed on the south-facing side of a barn. | Photo: Thinkstock

Q: I recently noticed bats are living somewhere along the roof of my hay shed. They tend to fly at my head when I go out to feed at dusk and open the shed door.   Is it safe to have bats around horses, and if so, what kind of habitat can I provide for them? Is there a safe way to relocate or encourage them to move away from the shed door?

A: Lucky you to have bats! I say “lucky” because I have had multiple bat houses on my horse properties for many, many years—with no sign of occupants. Each bat will eat about a pint of mosquitoes every night and are a major predator of flying nocturnal insects. This means free nontoxic insect control for you and your horses!

Bats love warm places to roost like barns and hay sheds. A healthy bat won’t bite horses or people, and bats have about the same chance of carrying rabies as any other warm-blooded animal. That said, never handle a wild animal that appears sick or immobilized. To be safe, I suggest talking with your veterinarian on their recommended rabies protocol for horses. In most parts of the country rabies is now a standard vaccination, just as it is for our dogs and cats