A second bat  found in  Lincoln home has tested positive for rabies, according to Lincoln Animal Control.

“We normally don’t have that many positive bats, but it does occur,” said Jim Weverka, animal control manager.

There is no reason for panic, but two positive tests in one summer are a reminder: Bats have the potential to give humans rabies.

“Our concern is because bat bites can be small or unnoticeable — the teeth are small, like pin pricks — someone may think it is an insect bite,” he said.  

Young children, particularly, may get bitten and not realize it, he said.

Rabies is fatal unless people take the required vaccine, he said.

“We like to make sure we get the bats tested, just to be on safe side,” he said.

Finding two bats with rabies is also a reminder that animals should be vaccinated, he said.

“People say, ‘My cat never goes outside.  Why should I vaccinate for rabies?’” he said.

The reason is that cats can get outside and bats can get inside.

This year, bats picked up in Lincoln on July 9 and Aug. 9 tested positive for rabies. The last time Lincoln had two bats test positive in one year was 2004, Weverka said.

None did last summer.  

Animal Control recommends people call them any time they find a bat in their home. Confine the bat to one room if possible and call 441-7900 for removal.

Bats in the attic are another matter. People should call wildlife experts to remove a colony of bats, Weverka said.

Bats can squeeze through holes half an inch in diameter, and it’s not uncommon to find them in homes during late summer and fall.

The Animal Control division of the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department picked up 188 bats for rabies testing between Sept. 1, 2006, and Wednesday morning.

Fewer than 1 percent of rabid bats bite humans or other animals.

Reach Nancy Hicks at 473-7250 or nhicks@journalstar.com.