The following suggestions are provided to assist educators, not to promote keeping bats as household pets. Bats are most often caught in mist nets, but expert advice is required. Setting nets across small ponds or streams usually brings the best results. Do not violate state or federal laws, disturb bats in their roosts, or place nets too close to a roost entrance where emerging bats may swamp the net and be needlessly injured. If you accidentally catch an endangered species, release it.
Bats easily dehydrate, so keep the bags moist.
To avoid bites, use a single leather glove, leaving one hand ungloved to untangle the netting. Many species have tiny teeth, hardly capable of breaking human skin, but there are exceptions. Most bats become gentle when they realize no harm is meant. Like people, their temperaments vary. Obtaining bats through the local Humane Society or a pest control company is another alternative.