Here's what to do if you see a bat around your home

The big picture: Utah is home to at least 18 bat species that primarily feast on insects.

• It's illegal to kill bats because they are a protected species.

State of play: As cute as they are (to me), here are some tips from the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources if you see them around your home:

• If you think bats have roosted in your attic, state officials advise contacting a local wildlife rehabilitator.
• Never touch one with your bare hands, as they can carry rabies. If you have made contact, call your local health department.
• Should you find a bat indoors, open a door or window and turn off the lights. Turn the porch lights on, leave the room and wait for it to fly away on its own.

If you must handle one, put on heavy leather gloves and place a box over the bat and slide a lid or cardboard underneath to capture it. Then, release it outside on a tree or on another elevated surface.

• If bats have made a home on your porch, hang balloons or other dangling items to discourage them from staying.
• Homeowners should also check chimneys and roof lines for any openings and seal cracks during the fall to give them time to leave their roosts.