Stretchy artificial spider-web decorations can ensnare bats, birds and other wildlife, a bat rescuer is warning as Halloween decorations go up. NorCal Bats has received two calls this year about bats tangled in the decorations, said Corky Quirk, a bat expert with the organization. One bat died; the other is being rehabilitated for possible release. The incidents were reported in Camino and Roseville, California. Quirk said one bat had webbing caught in its mouth and wrapped around its wings. Bats can use echolocation to navigate and hunt, but they do not rely on it every moment, she said, and can become caught while flying between destinations or searching for prey. Bats eat insects, including mosquitoes and agricultural pests. Quirk said their role in controlling insects is especially valuable in agricultural areas where pesticide use is a concern. People who find a bat tangled in a decoration should contact a local wildlife rescue organization for instructions, rather than trying to free or handle it themselves. Health officials caution against touching bats with bare hands because of rabies risk. The California Department of Public Health has reported an increase in rabies cases this year, while saying the risk to the general public remains low. The warning follows a report of a child coming into contact with a rabid bat in Sutter County less than two weeks earlier. Whether a bat appears injured or healthy, people should avoid direct contact and seek guidance from wildlife or public-health professionals.