BOISE — Idaho health officials say five bats have been confirmed to carry rabies, which is potentially deadly for humans. Two of those bats were confirmed Friday.

Two of the rabid bats came in contact with a Garden Valley man who says he’s fed up with this potentially dangerous animal.

Phil Ferguison has made the drive from his Garden Valley home near Terrace Lakes to the state laboratory in Boise two times in two weeks to see if bats found around his house were infected with rabies.

"I’ve always had bats around my house because they are a good bug getter.  My neighbor and I, we both talk about them, they’re not harming a thing — they’re getting a lot of bugs.  I know where they roost and everything, but it’s whole different story now that I’ve got rabid bats,” said Ferguison.

Just last week Ferguison was caring for his 6-year-old grandson, Zach, when a bat swooped down in the middle of the day.

“The bat flew around a little bit and then went to his back, like attacked him,” said Ferguison.

That bat was tested and confirmed to have rabies.  Zach is now receiving a series of rabies vaccination shots.

On Friday, Ferguison brought in another bat found near his house, and that bat was confirmed to have rabies as well.

“On average we see throughout the whole summer approximately 17 case, but certainly we’re still early in the summer we tend to see rabid bats in the summer and into the fall,” said Dr. Leslie Tengelsen.

Tengelsen is the Deputy State Epidemiologist.  She says rabies is a disease caused by a virus that can be deadly.  It’s mainly carried by bats.

“Rabies can be fatal in people and so it’s very important that we take any exposure to the disease very seriously,” said Tengelsen.

Ferguison is worried after two run-ins with rabid bats.

“They are a very good animal, bats are, they serve a purpose, but I’m not sure I want them if they’re going to have rabies,” said Ferguison.

It’s hard to tell just by looking if a bat is in fact rabid, however we’re told that if you see a bat flying in the daytime that’s a good indication that it could be infected with rabies.

If you do come in contact with a bat, it’s important to get medical help immediately.

We’re told if you have symptoms of rabies, it’s more than likely too late to save your life.