Halloween may haunt bats and birds as webs pose risk

Key points

• WIRES warns that Halloween decorations, including fake spiderwebs and fairy lights, could trap native birds and bats. The warning comes as NSW experiences a severe flying fox starvation event, with adult bats and pups found in suburban gardens.
• WIRES urges people never to handle bats themselves, as they can carry bat lyssavirus. Decorations should be removed promptly after Halloween, and natural materials such as cotton are safer than synthetic webs.
• RSPCA Australia also warns pets may be harmed by chocolate, which is toxic to dogs.