5 Educational Facts About Bats

Posted on February 11, 2019 by virginia

Bats are mostly known as a scary threat, or a neighborhood nuisance; but bats are much more than that. In fact, they are a greatly misunderstood species that deserve a better reputation. Continue reading to review 5 interesting and educational facts about bats, and better understand their importance in our world.

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❶ Bats Serve a Vital Ecological and Economical Role

Bats feed heavily on our local insect populations every night, allowing us to have more comfortable backyard living areas, more enjoyable outdoor fun and activity, and less spread of disease and crop mutilation. Bats also support local economies among farmers, vendors, and consumers because the prevent crop mutilation. Farmers have also been known to use bat droppings, or “guano”, to fertilize their land. In fact, guano mining is a significant enterprise in the agricultural industry, worldwide.

Furthermore, Megabats, found in tropical and subtropical regions, primarily feed on pollen and nectar of fruits and flowers. This diet behavior provides a significant benefit ecologically and agriculturally by means of pollination, seed dispersal, which promotes cross-fertilization. We can thank Megabats for crops like bananas, avocados, mangoes, nuts, figs and cacao. Also, vampire bat species are an important focus in the medical research industry because their saliva contains an anticoagulant protein called “Desmoteplase” that researchers speculate can be used as medicine for stroke patients and blood clot prevention in humans.

❷ There are More Than 1,300 Species of Bat Around the World

Bats are a mammal that are native to almost every region of the world. And although there are more than 1,300 known species of bat, it is suspected that thousands more exist. Differences in features, behaviors, diet, size, and more, are what separate the known bat colonies, worldwide. Here in Virginia, the most common bat species found include the Little Brown bat, the Big Brown bat, Eastern Small-footed bat, Northern Long-eared bat, Eastern Pipistrelle bat, Silver-haired Bat, Eastern Red bat, Hoary bat, Seminole bat, American Long-Eared bat, Lump-Nosed bat, Evening bat, Ozark Big-Eared bat, Townsend’s Big-Eared bat, and the Northern Myotis. Endangered species are local to Virginia as well, including the Indiana bat, the Gray bat, and the Southeastern Big-eared Bat (also known as Rafinesque’s Big-Eared bat).

❸ Some Species of Bat Do Not Hibernate for the Winter

It is assumed by many that all bats hibernate for the winter. The truth is, some species hibernate and others do not. Some species of bat migrate instead of hibernate, and travel south to warmer areas for the cold season. Such species include the Spotted bat, Mexican free-tailed bat, and the lesser long-nose bat. Other species of bat do hibernate, thus entering into a state of torpor, or low metabolic activity. Bats cycle through periods of torpor and periods of moderate arousal, for the duration of winter. Bats generally prefer to hibernate in hollowed trees, rock crevices, caves, abandoned mines, and even residential and commercial buildings.

❹ Bats Do Not Have Very Many Natural Predators

You would think an animal as tiny as a bat would be at the top of something’s diet sheet, but really, they have very few natural predators. In fact, the biggest threat to bat survival is the threat of disease. For instance, a fungal diseases known as White Nose Syndrome, has killed millions of bat populations throughout the world. Read our blog, “Facts About White-Nose Syndrome and Bats” to learn more about this devastating bat disease. Mostly, predatory wildlife such as owls, hawks, and snakes will eat bats, but rarely go out of their way for them.

❺ Bats are the Only Mammal That Can Truly Fly!

Sure, you’ve heard of Flying Squirrels and other animals that seem to fly; but they are really just soaring, floating, or drifting on air currents. Bats, on the other hand, are capable of true flight, which means they can take off, maintain flight, and land, on demand. They can fly just the same as a bird, but they are a mammal. And they are the ONLY mammal that can do that! Not only can they fly, they are fast, with some species achieving speeds of 100 miles per hour!

Do You Have Nuisance Bats?

Call Virginia Bat Pros at 804-729-9097 for safe and humane bat removal and control assistance in Old Dominion. We serve all of Virginia with 24 hour bat removal, as well as, numerous residential and commercial bat exclusion services, such as bat cleanup and restorations for bat damages. We even provide insurance work! Contact us at 804-729-9097 to request a free estimate, anytime.

How to Safely Support Local Bat Colonies

Posted on January 28, 2019 by virginia

Here at Virginia Bat Removal, we often remind readers that bats have high ecological importance. They play a large role in our local eco-systems and economies, and even provide outdoor comfort with their primal need to eat thousands of mosquitos and other obnoxious flying pests, each night. Having bats around can be beneficial, so long as they don’t get too close. If you want to support the local bat colonies around your property, there are many safe ways you can do so without putting your home at risk if an infestation or bat damages.

Continue reading to learn what you can do to support, and even treat, your neighborhood bats!

Bat Houses

One way you support the local bat population around your property is to install bat houses for them. You can purchase quality bat houses on the market that are specially designed to cater and house microbat species native to Virginia and its surrounding regions, such as the wonderful selections sold by Bat Conservation and Management.

You can also choose to make your own bat house, but be sure to follow professional instructions, which you can download online, to ensure they are proper for bats. There are certain recommended dimensions, materials, and features that bat houses should have in order for them to be comfortable, functional, and humane. Here is a terrific bat house blueprint plan by Batworld.org. You may also purchase “The Bat House Builder’s Handbook”, here.

When mounting your bat houses, be sure to hang them around the perimeter of your property, 20 to 30 feet away from tree branches, and 20 feet above ground from your home and any structures, like power lines, telephone poles, sheds, and the tallest vegetation. Also, be sure to choose an area that gets 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight, facing either East or South. This ensure that the bat house remains warm while they roost during the day.

Bat Donations

To further support local and national bat populations, you can donate funds (or time) to various bat conservation and Rabies management initiatives, such as Cave and Karst Protection Program, Bat Conservation International, Merlin Tuttle’s Bat Conservation, and Virginia’s Non-Game Program.

What NOT to Do

Although you may want to be friendly to bats, it is vital that you never attempt to trap, touch, or keep a bat as a pet. Furthermore, you do not want to “feed” bats, as this is not something they instinctual take to, and it can pose several health risks. Read our recent blog, “What to Do if You Find a Bat” for the knowledge you need about finding bats in or around your house.

If You Have a Nuisance Bat Problem…

Virginia Bat Removal and Control 804-729-9097

Call Virginia Bat Pros at 804-729-9097 when you need prompt and professional Virginia bat removal and control you can afford. We use safe and humane methods to deliver effective 24 hour bat control for residential and commercial properties throughout Virginia. We serve all of Virginia, including Richmond, Petersburg, Short Pump, Lynchburg, Charlottesville, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Newport News, Virginia Beach, and all of their surrounding areas.

FAQS About Bats in the House

Posted on January 17, 2019 by virginia

A wildlife rescue enthusiasts, we stress the importance of bats and their role in our Eco-systems and economies. However, that does not mean we condone bat intruders! Bats in the house is an uncomfortable, and even scary, situation; mostly because you are unfamiliar with the species, and unsure of what to expect in terms of behavior.

If you suspect that bats are a nuisance problem around your property, continue reading to help you learn what you need to know with these frequently asked questions about bats in the house.

Bats in the House Virginia — Bats in the House? Call 804-729-9097 Now!

How Do Bats Get Inside of a House?

Bats only require a very tiny opening to enter your property. In fact, a gap as little as 3/8th of an inch are all they need to gain access to the common areas the target, such as attics, crawl spaces, garages, chimneys, roofs, and various other areas of a property. Often times, bats use roof and ridge vents, gables, soffits, and chimneys to get inside; however, they can also get lucky with a torn screen door, an open window, loose roof shingles, broken siding, and similar opportunities.

Where Do Bats Hide in a House?

The most common areas for bats to roost inside residential properties are attics and wall voids. They are also commonly found in crawl spaces, roof accessories (flashing, vents, turbines, etc.), and chimneys. Outside of a house, bats are commonly found roosting in log piles, sheds, garages, barns, tree houses, hollow trees, and tree cavities.

How Can I Tell if I Have Bats in the House?

One of the most common signs of bat presence in a house, and often the initial once notice, is hearing strange noises in the walls or ceilings, such as squeaking, chirping, and chattering. You may also hear fluttering noises from their wings as they shuffle around their roosting area. Also, visually spotting bat guano (dropping) or actual bats, is another tell-tale sign that bats are inside. Additional signs include oil stains around entry points, foul odors lingering indoors, and yellow and brown-like stains on ceilings and walls.

Will a Bat Attack Me? My Pets?

Bats are afraid of humans and pets more than you are of them. For this reason, they do everything they can to avoid interaction with either. In the case that a bat is nursing or protecting her young, or ill, they may defend themselves by biting if they are provoked in some way. Often times, curious dogs and cats fall victim to an angry bat trying to fend them off. Pet vaccinations are critical for reasons just like this, and much more.

Do Bats Have Rabies?

Although bats are known carriers of the Rabies virus, not all bats are infected with Rabies. However, you should always treat all bats as if they are actively infected in order to remain as protected as possible. There is no reason to take a chance. Rabies is 100% fatal, and also 100% preventable. Get your pets vaccinated annually, and yourself as well if you work in an environment where exposure is more likely.

What Do I Do if I Find a Bat in the House?

If you find a bat in the house, first get all people and pets to a guarded room. Then open all windows and doors, and gently encourage the bat to fly out of the house using a broom or long handled-device. Do your best not to touch the bat at all; instead, gently glide the broom against the surface near the bat to encourage it to fly away. If this does not work, your next step is to contact a local and licensed Virginia bat removal and control company for emergency bat extraction service.

Call Virginia Bat Pros

Virginia Bat Removal and Control 804-729-9097

Call Virginia Bat Pros at 804-729-9097 for safe and humane bat removal and control assistance in Old Dominion. We serve all of Virginia and its surrounding areas. We offer 24 hour bat removal, as well as, numerous residential and commercial bat exclusion services, such as bat cleanup and restorations for bat damages. We even provide insurance work! Contact us today for a free estimate.

Could Wind Turbines Be a Threat to Bats in Virginia?

Posted on December 17, 2018 by virginia

As long-time advocates for the protection and well-being of bats, we regularly echo the importance they have on our surrounding Eco-systems and local economies. For this reason, it is a concern that many bat fatalities may be a result of wind and air pressure changes caused by giant wind turbines.

Wind turbine from aerial view. Sustainable development environment friendly concept. Wind turbine give renewable energy sustainable energy alternative energy. Wind sustainability energy.

Wind energy is a significant alternative energy source used to help reduce fossil fuel consumption. Until a study was done in West Virginia regarding bat fatalities, the primary environmental concern with wind energy was bird fatalities. The West Virginian study revealed that up to 4,000 bats died in a period of just one season, and it could have been due to the environmental impacts of wind turbines.

The Link Between Wind Energy and Bat Fatalities

So why are bats dying from wind turbines? For decades, researchers have studied this question. To this very day, they are still investigating the link between wind energy and bat fatalities. Although there are several theories and studies in existence, many believe that the number one reason why bats are being killed by wind turbines is because they are simply flying into the turbine blades.

Other research has suggested that wind energy-related bat fatalities could be a result of barotrauma, which is a health condition that damages lung tissue, inner ear tissue, and other respiratory organs. Barotrauma is suspected of being caused by air pressure changes that occur too rapidly or in excess. This type of massive air pressure change takes place near the edges of turning turbine blades.

National Statistics

There was a recent study done that investigated the mortality rate of Hoary bats near wind energy facilities during 2014. It suggested that populations could plummet by 90% within the next 50 years if nothing is done to protect bats. Here are some more interesting statistics:

➔ In the United States and Canada, a projected 650,000 to 1.3 million bats lost their lives between the years of 2000 to 2011 as a result of turbine collisions.

➔ It is suspected that in 2012, 400,000 more bats died as a result of wind energy structures.

➔ In the United States and Canada, 24 species of bats (and possibly more) are on record as victims of wind turbines, including the Hoary bat, Eastern Red bat, and the Silver-Haired bat.

➔ Even endangered species have been reported as being killed by wind turbines, including the Indiana bat and the Hawaiian Hoary bat.

SOURCE: Arnett and Baerwald 2013

Finding a Solution

Wind energy is substantially important to our society, and our world as a whole. And so are bats. This is why we need to find a working solution to the environmental impact wind turbines have on nature’s wildlife. So what can you do to help the initiative? Support the various organizations working hard to develop the right strategies and solutions.

Such organizations include Bat Conservation International, Bats and Wind Energy Cooperative (BWEC), American Wind Energy Association, Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Department of Energy, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Geological Survey. Show your support by providing donations, educating yourself with the various free resources they provide, joining community efforts for wildlife conservation, and always be nice to bats!

Got Bat Problems Near You?

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Where Do Bats Go After Removal?

Posted on December 6, 2018 by virginia

Bat removal is a necessary service for all property types, from commercial businesses and buildings, to residential homes and more. That is because bats are incredibly destructive to such properties, especially if they get inside of them. Indoors, they will roost in large numbers, which causes structural damage to everything they come into contact with, including insulation, floorboards, electrical wires, ceilings, and more. They also pose a long list of health and hygiene hazards, such as pest infestations, transmissible diseases, odor and filth, and more.

For these reasons, it is vital to have a bat infestation or nuisance bat problem abated as soon as you are aware it exists on your property. If a bat problem is ignored, costly damages will add up faster than you can imagine. Once bats are removed, the property is them modified to prevent further interruption from nuisance wildlife.

But what about the bats? Many wonder what actually happens to them once they are removed. Continue reading to learn more about this topic.

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Bat Rehabilitation and Release

Bats are vital parts of our local eco-systems, and ultimately, our local economies. Although they can be a nuisance, they should never be harmed or killed. Instead, they should be protected and nurtured at all costs. This is why bats are not treated like pests once they are in the possession of wildlife rescue and control professionals. They are treated like the valuable species they truly are. Standard practices for bat transportation and care differ from state to state, but in general, bats are tested and released after professional bat removal service.

After bats are retrieved and extracted from a property, those that are suspected of illness are sent to a lab to be tested for Rabies. Following testing, healthy bats are released back into nature in a faraway habitat where they can live out the remainder of their lives in peace and harmony.

Bats that are infected with the Rabies virus are generally euthanized by a professional exotic wildlife veterinary technician. Bats that are injured or sick are transported to a bat rehabilitation habitat where they are carefully treated, and then released back into the wild once they are capable of caring for themselves again.

Who to Trust for Safe and Humane Bat Removal

Virginia Bat Removal and Control 804-729-9097

Call Virginia Bat Pros at 804-729-9097 for safe and humane bat removal and control assistance in Old Dominion. We serve all of Virginia with 24 hour bat removal, as well as, numerous residential and commercial bat exclusion services, including bat cleanup and restorations for bat damages, insurance work, and more. Request a free estimate, anytime.

A Fun Acronym for Big Brown Bat Facts!

Posted on November 9, 2018 by virginia

Big Brown bats are one of the most common species of bat native here to the Virginia region. Not only are they vital to our local eco-systems, these bats are quite interesting to learn about. And what better way to learn something new than to incorporate some fun!

Continue reading to review a fun and educational acronym to learn more about this fascinating Virginia bat species!

Virginia Bat Removal and Control 804-729-9097

Big Brown Bat (Eptesicus fuscus)

There are numerous species of bat found in and around the state of Virginia. In fact, see our blog, “Which Bats are Native to the State of Virginia?” to learn the most common of them. In terms of nuisance wildlife, one of the most common bats found in attics and other residential and commercial areas are Big Brown bats. Check out this acronym to learn some top facts about this amazing, and highly misunderstood, bat species.

B – Big Microbats;

Big Brown Bats, although a microbat species, are big for their suborder. In adulthood, they can reach body lengths between 4 and 5 inches.

I – Insectivorous Diet;

Big Brown Bats are insectivores. Just one bat can consume more than their own body weight in insects in one single night.

G – Garage Life;

Big Brown Bats are commonly found roosting in garages and sheds of residential properties. The easy access and ample privacy makes these high target areas.

B – Brown Fur;

Big Brown Bats are in fact brown in color. They typically have more of a reddish brown fur coat, which is glossy and shiny.

R – Roosting Spots;

Like all bats, Big Brown Bats build roosts, which are their nests. Common roosting spots include mines, caves, buildings, bat boxes, tree cavities, log piles, and rock crevices.

O – One Pup Per Year;

Female Big Brown Bats give birth once per year to only one baby bat, also known as a “pup.” Pups stay with their mother for about 3 weeks, or until they can hunt and feed themselves.

W – Wing Span and Weight;

Big Brown Bats weigh an average of 15 to 25 grams in adulthood. Their wingspan averages between 12 and 14 inches for adults.

N – North America

Big Brown Bats are found all across North America, as well as, Central America, the Caribbean, and extreme northern South America.

B – Bird-Like;

Big Brown Bats are bird-like because they are, after all, a bat, which happens to be the only mammal on earth that can actually fly! Other “flying” mammals just soar or float.

A – Abatement;

As mentioned, Big Brown Bats are more known as a nuisance animal here in Virginia. If you have nuisance bats around, be sure you choose safe and non-lethal bat abatement methods.

T – Torpor;

Torpor refers to the period of decreased physiological activity (body temperature and metabolic rate) Big Brown Bats experience during hibernation.

Do You Have a Nuisance Bat Problem?

Not only can bats be a hazard to your loved ones and pets, they can be extremely destructive to your property. If you suspect that you have nuisance bats around, be sure to act fast! Contact a licensed Virginia bat removal and control company for expert bat abatement and exclusion services you can trust.

Safe and Humane Bat Removal You Can Afford

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How to Use Bat Guano as Plant Fertilizer

Posted on September 20, 2018 by virginia

Bats are ecologically important to farming for many reasons. Not only are they incredible insect control, they also help pollinate our crops. In fact, their droppings, known as “guano”, is an excellent fertilizer. Guano contains several organic nutrients, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, all of which enrich and condition soil, thus promoting deep root feeding and enhanced plant growth.

Continue reading to learn how you can use bat guano for better gardening results next spring!

Virginia Bat Removal and Control 804-729-9097

A Top Dressing for Soil

Bat guano can be used as a top dressing fertilizer in wet or dried form. You can either incorporate it directly into the top layer of soil before planting or during active growth, or you can turn it into a solution referred to as “bat guano tea” and use it when watering your plants.

Special Warning: Bat guano can grow dangerous fungal spores called Histoplasma capsulatum that cause a serious upper respiratory illnesses called Histoplasmosis. Always use extreme caution when handling and storing bat dung. Wear protective face masks, eye goggles, and gloves, and store in an air-tight container out of reach of children and pets. See our blog, “3 Transmissible Bat Diseases That Can Affect People and Pets” to learn more.

How to Make Bat Tea

What You Need: Water and Guano

What To Do: Steep bat guano in water, overnight. Use 1 cup guano for every 1 gallon of water. Then just apply the solution when you water your plants.

Additional Uses for Bat Guano

Bat guano can also be used as a compost activator. The organic elements within guano speed up the decomposition process. It can also be used as a natural fungicide to control nematodes in the soil.

Bat Control

If bats are a nuisance problem around your property, contact a licensed Virginia bat removal and control company for safe and humane abatement services. They can identify and diagnose bat problems, mitigate infestations, clean up bat damages and messes, and more. Be sure to choose a licensed and insured company with plenty of experience in the wildlife removal and control industry!

Choose Virginia Bat Pros!

Virginia Bat Removal and Control 804-729-9097

Interesting Facts About Big Brown Bats

Posted on August 24, 2018 by virginia

Big Brown bats are one of the most common species native here in Virginia. They are often the culprit behind many residential and commercial bat infestations. Continue reading to learn more about Big Brown bats. With a better understanding of the species, you may be able to protect your home or building from bat damages.

Big Brown Bats

The Big Brown Bat (Eptesicus fuscus)

The Big Brown bat is scientifically named Eptesicus fuscus, which loosely translates to “dark” or “black” in Latin. It is closely related to other American species of bat within the Eptesicus genus, such as the Brazilian brown bat (Eptesicus brasiliensis), the Argentine brown bat (Eptesicus furinalis), and the diminutive serotine (E. diminutus).

Range and Habitat

They are wide spread throughout North America. In fact, it is colloquially referred to as “the most widespread Pleistocene bat in North America.” However, its range also extends throughout Central America, the Caribbean, and even some parts of farthest northern regions of South America.

They are capable of thriving in urban, suburban, and rural environments, generally choosing a roost for the summer and another roost for winter hibernation. They often choose roosts that are quite, private, sheltered, and warm. For this reason, they are often found in hollowed out trees, caves, abandoned mines, attics and crawl spaces, storm drains, log piles, and specially-made bat houses.

Diet and Behavior

Big Brown bats are insectivores, meaning they primarily consume insects. Their favorites include mosquitos, gnats, flies, beetles, termites, moths, and any net-winged insect. They hunt for their prey at night, between the hours of dusk and dawn, using their built-in biosonar abilities called echolocation. Echolocation does not substitute for sight, as bats see quite well on their own; however, it gives them a significant advantage for diving and darting for prey with accuracy and speed.

Bats are not solitary; they often live in large colonies. This, coupled with the fact that a single bat can consume as much as 1,000 insects or more in one evening, makes Big Brown bats a significant predator of agricultural pests. This means they have a positive ecological impact on our surrounding environments.

Reproduction

Big Brown bats mate in the fall. After mating, female bats separate from the males and live in their own maternity colony. Females give birth around May or June to only one single baby bat (pup), weighing an average of 3 g (0.11 oz). Although born tiny, they grow rather quickly, as much as half a gram per day. After as soon as 18 days after birth, they can begin to fly. A fun fact: bats are the only mammal on Earth capable of flying! Baby bats, or pups, are weaned from their mother’s care within 2 to 3 months.

Virginia Bat Removal and Control

Virginia Bat Removal and Control 804-729-9097

Call Virginia Bat Pros at 804-729-9097 for safe and humane bat removal and control assistance in Old Dominion. We serve all of Virginia with 24 hour bat removal, as well as, numerous residential and commercial bat exclusion services, including bat cleanup and restorations for bat damages, insurance work, and more. Request a free estimate, anytime.

The Ecological Importance of Bats

Posted on August 10, 2018 by virginia

Although many would consider them to be a frightening pest, bats are incredibly important to our surrounding environments. Not only do bats play an important environmental role around the world, their diets and behaviors have also provided mankind with several benefits as well.

Continue reading to learn the true ecological importance of bats, including how they positively impact our land and our lives.

Virginia Bat Removal and Control 804-729-9097

Insect Control and Farming Benefits

Microchiroptera (microbats) are insectivores, meaning they primarily feed on insects such as mosquitoes, flies, gnats, moths, grasshoppers, crickets, beetles, termites, and even wasps. A single microbe that can consume more than 1000 insects in just one night. Multiply that number times the quantity about populations in a community, and you have yourself a built-in pest control system, free of charge at the courtesy of bats.

They feed heavily on our local insect populations every night, allowing us to have more comfortable backyard living areas, more enjoyable outdoor fun and activity, and less spread of disease and crop mutilation. In terms of reduced crop mutilation, you can also give bats credit for supporting our local economies among farmers, vendors, and consumers. Farmers have also been known to use bat droppings, also called “guano”, to fertilize their land and grow their crops. In fact, guano mining is a significant enterprise in the agricultural industry, worldwide.

Pollination and Seed Dispersal

Megachiroptera (megabats) are frugivorous, meaning they primarily feed on the pollen and nectar of fruits and flowers. This diet behavior provides a significant benefit ecologically and agriculturally by means of pollination and seed dispersal. Not only does the action of acquiring the nectar and pollen from plants promote cross-fertilization, the act of digesting and eliminating their food greatly supports seed dispersion of other plants and flowers, especially fruiting trees in the tropics. On a side note, some cultures around the world eat fruit bats, making them a means of nutrition.

Medicine

Currently, vampire bat species are an important focus in the medical research industry because their saliva contains an anticoagulant protein called “Desmoteplase” that researchers speculate can be used as medicine for stroke patients and blood clot prevention in humans.

Ecotourism

Many wildlife preserves that house species of bats are popular attractions for tourists and travelers around the world. The enterprise of ecotourism brings money into communities, thus supporting the local economy and the preservation of local wildlife and that species.

If Bats are a Problem

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Common Misunderstandings About Bats

Posted on July 10, 2018 by virginia

Virginia Bat Removal and Control 804-729-9097

When most people think about bats, they imagine scary, flying rodents with long claws and sharp teeth. The truth is, bats are widely misunderstood, and have been for centuries (with the exception of China, who has actually celebrated bats as symbols of good luck and happiness for many eras).

Fortunately, there are nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts just like us who are happy to teach the world about the wonderful attributes of bats. Continue reading to learn what makes bats so highly respected among conservationists and environmentalists, as well as, some common myths surrounding their disposition.

Bats Are Not Rodents

Many people refer to bats as rodents when in fact, they are mammals. One of the most amazing characteristics of bats is their ability to fly because they are the only mammal on earth that can! Furthermore, they are incredibly vital to our surrounding ecosystems and even provide useful contributions for mankind.

Bats and the Eco-System

Not only do bats help pollinate and distribute seeds, plants, and various sorts of flora, they also help control the insect population. A single bat can consume more than 1,000 insects in a single night. For those of us who love backyard barbecues, campfires, and outdoor fun, this is a fantastic asset to have around. Bats eat all the nuisance insects, like moths, beetles, gnats, flies, mites, and of best of all, mosquitoes.

Bat Myths

A common misunderstanding is that bats have rabies. Although bats are common carriers of the virus, very few actually transmit the virus, and even fewer are rabid. However, Rabies prevention and awareness are still vital to our health and well-being.

Another common myth about bats is that they are blind and will fly right into your hair. The reality is that bats can see quite well, even in the dark. They have a built-in sonar system called Echolocation, which they use to better dive and dart for prey at night. Echolocation is not used in place of their vision, it simply enhances their nighttime navigational skills.

Have you ever heard that a bat will attack you? This will not happen unless you provoke a sick or nursing bat. As for getting tangles up in your hair, the chances of that happening to anyone is highly unlikely. Bats are just too agile and intelligent; they are also scared of humans and steer clear of us at all costs.

Many people are wrongly under the impression that bats suck blood. The only species that consumes blood is the Vampire bat, and they live in Latin America. They mostly target livestock like cows, pigs, and horses. Furthermore, they do not kill their prey; it is more of a symbiotic relationship. They make a small incision in the flesh, lap up the pooling blood with their tongues, and then scurry off into the night. The wound seals up quickly and the animal is not harmed or bothered in anyway.

Do You Need Virginia Bat Removal and Control?

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