Bats can be active year-round and occasionally, they can find their way inside a home. An open window, a small opening around the roof, or another entry point can be enough for a bat to make an unexpected appearance indoors.
While seeing a bat in the house can be startling, it is important to act fast. Bat bites can be small and may go unnoticed, so it may not be possible to tell whether a person was bitten, especially if the bat was found in a bedroom where a person, pet, or infant has been sleeping. That is why capturing the bat for rabies testing is essential.
Here are the steps on how to capture a bat:
1.    Close any windows and doors.
2.    Gather a container with a lid or cardboard, tape, and THICK gloves. Thick gloves are necessary to prevent unwanted bites. 
3.    Wait for the bat to land and slowly approach it. Place the container over the bat, slide the lid or cardboard underneath. Hold it firmly in place and flip it over.
4.    Secure the cardboard or lid on the container with tape. 
After capturing the bat, give the Putnam County Department of Health a call at 845-808-1390, to arrange for rabies testing. If a bat is captured during a holiday or weekend, just dial 845-808-1390, press 3 to leave a message and someone will call you back very soon. The experts will help handle the rest!

Useful Links:

• NYS Department of Health: How to Safely Catch a Bat
  https://youtu.be/_YhnV5WJQBA?si=gCNh4x0CXJokJbWx
• Putnam County Health Department: Rabies 
  https://www.putnamcountyny.gov/health/rabies#bat