And you can use it to make your own saltpeter for either the mashed potatoes or for making your own gunpowder.

Bats are our friends. They eat lots of insects and do NOT entangle themselves in women's hair. If rabid they exhibit the usual symptoms of rabies in wild animals. (There's lots of information about rabies in bats and bats in general here. )

You might consider wearing a dust mask when sweeping up....