SPOKANE, Wash. — Bats play an important role in the ecosystem, eating their body weight in insects each night — often numbering in the thousands. This benefits farms, gardens and homes by controlling pest populations. However, bats are also the most common carriers of rabies.
The Spokane Regional Health District identified a rabid bat this summer. One turned up last summer as well.
Amy Edwards was cleaning patio furniture cushions at her Eagle Ridge home when she encountered the bat that would later test positive for rabies…