FAQS About Endangered Bats

Posted on November 11, 2019 by virginia

Bats are incredible mammals. Not only are they the only mammalian species capable of true, authentic flight, they play a vital role in our surrounding Eco-systems. And although bats have a stigma to them, and a poor reputation for being a nuisance to home and building owners, they are protected under state and federal law. This is especially true for endangered bat species. Sadly, species all across the globe are still becoming endangered and close to extinction. We have to work harder as a society to support animal protection and initiatives in order to keep our beloved animal kingdom sustainable and strong.

Continue reading to review some common questions about endangered bats, including which species are endangered, why some bats are becoming extinct, and much more.

Virginia Bat Removal and Control — The Lesser Short-Nosed Fruit Bat is a species of Megabat that lives in Southeast Asia and Indonesia.

How Many Bats are Endangered?

Endangered bats are also referred to as “threatened” species. There are multiple levels of endangerment. Bat species may fall under “Critically-Endangered” or “Endangered” depending on the severity of threat. According to the IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature) Red List of Threatened Species, there are 26 critically endangered species, 51 endangered species, and 954 additional species that are considered vulnerable to endangerment. However, these numbers are always changing and difficult to keep up with.

Is There a Difference Between Endangered and Extinct?

Extinct species have all died out and are no longer in existence anywhere on the planet. The term extinct is though to come from the Latin term, extinctus, which translates to the modern, extinguish. Endangered species face an imminent risk of extinction. Some examples of extinct animals include the Dodo, Great Auk, Steller’s Sea Cow, and the Tasmanian Tiger.

Why Do Bats Become Extinct?

There are several reasons that have contributed to the demise of certain bat species. Such factors include land over-development, diseases like White Nose Syndrome, and habitat destruction. In fact, the biggest contributing factors are loss of habitat, like caves, forests, and nesting areas. When bats lose their homes, they search for new homes, like our attics and crawl spaces! It is not their fault, which is why bats should never be regarded as a bad animal. They are innocent creatures that have suffered substantial habitat loss.

Which Bats are Endangered in the United States?

According to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, there are 13 endangered bat species in the United States. Under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, there are 5 species and sub-species that are identified as Endangered. They are as follows:

Bonneted Bat – Eumops floridanus
Gray Bat – Myotis grisescens
Hoary Bat – Lasiurus cinereus semotus
Indiana Bat – Myotis sodalis
Lesser Long-Nosed Bat – Leptonycteris curasoae yerbabuenae
Little Mariana Fruit Bat – Pteropus tokudae
Mariana Flying Fox – Pteropus mariannus mariannus
Mexican Long-Nosed Bat – Leptonycteris nivalis
Northern Long-Eared Bat – Myotis septentrionalis
Ozark Big-Eared Bat – Corynorhinus townsendii ingens
Pacific Sheath-Tailed Bat – Emballonura semicaudata rotensis
Samoan Pacific Sheath-Tailed Bat – Emballonura semicaudata semicaudata

And Sadly………
The Virginia Big-Eared Bat
(Corynorhinus Townsendii Virginianus)

Got Nuisance Bat Problems in Virginia?

Contact Virginia Bat Pros at 804-729-9097 for safe and humane bat removal and control at a fair price. Regardless of the size or scope of your bat abatement and cleanup needs, we have the experience and resources necessary to remedy your bat problem in no time at all. Our professionals are focused on safe and effective results, but more importantly, our client’s complete satisfaction. Contact us anytime for free estimates, advice, and assistance.

How Bats Choose Their Mates

Posted on September 20, 2019 by virginia

Bats are one of the most fascinating species of mammal; after all, they are the only mammals capable of true flight. On top of this remarkable trait, bats also display unique mating behaviors, many of which are not demonstrated by other mammals in the animal kingdom. Furthermore, among all the 1600 bat species known to mankind, mating seasons and practices all vary in detail.

Continue reading to learn the fundamentals of bat mating rituals, including how bats choose their mate.

Virginia Bat Removal and Control 804-729-9097

Bat Hibernation and Breeding Season

Bats that live in temperate regions, like the ones here in Virginia, migrate from summer homes to winter hibernation spots. This behavior is called hibernacula, and it is where breeding takes place. Migrating bats generally mate toward the end of summer into early fall, which is right about now. Interestingly, female bats store the male bat’s sperm for the next reproductive season, which takes place in spring and early summer. However, these breeding habits are much different for bats that don’t migrate.

Choosing Mates

The way in which bats choose and court other bats is quite diverse. As for hibernating species of bats, they put on an annual flying show, showing off their agile flying and acrobatic skills in an attempt to court female bats. They will fly in huge swarms, darting and dipping, and performing impressive aerobatics. Once the show dies down, bats will couple up and find seclusion to mate. Although it is not yet proven whether or not female bats prefer more agile males, because of this fascinating phenomenon it is certainly a theory among researchers.

Showing off is certainly a theme among mating bats since other arboreal species like to use their talents to court female candidates too. For instance, Hammer-Head bats use their enlarged larynx and nasal cavities to “honk” at females. During mating season, males line up in trees along the riverbank and call out to female bats that fly by. They use honking, grunting, and cooing sounds until they win the attention of a willing female Hammer-Head.

Even more interesting and somewhat similar, male Sac-Winged bats use their flying skills and pheromones to impress and court female bats. They hover in front of them, wafting their fumes and powering their wings until a female accepts. Other species of bat, like the Horseshoe bat, prefers discretion over showmanship. Instead of swarming, wafting, and honking to court their females, this species of bat lets the female come to them. Female bats will track down male Horseshoe bats, and then visit them at their private roost to mate.

Bat Reproduction

The average gestation period for a microbat is around six months, or 40 days. This is longer for larger bats. The size of the litter is much similar to humans. There is usually one pup that is birthed, but in some cases there can be two or more. Taking into consideration the size of the bat, they are among the slowest breeders on earth. At birth, a baby bat can weigh up to a quarter of the mother’s size; this would be like a human having a 30 pound baby. Female bats care for the young as they grow stronger and capable of fending for themselves.

Where to Get Safe, Non-Lethal Bat Control Service

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.

The Most Common Signs of Bats in the Attic

Posted on September 12, 2019 by virginia

Here in Virginia, there are several species of bat native to our state; as much as 15, in fact. Of these various species, some are known to live in closer range to urban and metropolitan areas, such as the big brown bat and the little brown bat. As a result, these bat species are often found roosting in residential attics, and therefore, categorized as nuisance pests. Although our local bat populations serve a vital ecological purpose that provides our societies with both environmental and economic benefits, it is not a good situation to have them living inside or around your home.

If you suspect that you might have a bat infestation, continue reading to learn which signs to look for that might prove your suspicions to be true, as well as, how to get rid of bats in the attic.

Bats in the Attic

By understanding which signs point to bat activity, you can better stay on top of home protection and maintenance. As soon as you see any signs that suggest you have bats around the house, or worse, inside, it is important to act fast and resolve the problem before it can turn into a large, costly nightmare.

You see, bats create big messes with their droppings and urine, destroying attic insulation and floorboards, which can lead to ceiling stains and indoor odors. Furthermore, rotted bat droppings (guano) can develop harmful fungal spores that can travel through air ducts and impact the health of both people and pets inside a home.

Here are the most common signs that you have bats in the attic:

☑ Ceiling and Wall Stains
☑ Lingering Odors in Certain Rooms
☑ Strange Noises or Fluttering Sounds in Walls
☑ Dark Greasy Stains Around Attic Windows and Vents
☑ Bat Droppings on Roof or Window Ledges
☑ Seeing Bats Fly Around at Dusk and Dawn Near Your House

Special Note: If you see a bat or two hanging from the eaves of your roof or porch, you might not have to worry; this is common bat behavior at dusk. They are simply resting in between hunting sessions. However, if you see any of the signs listed above, there could be reason for concern. Contact a local and licensed bat removal and control company for humane bat extraction and exclusion services.

Safe and Humane Bat Control Service in Virginia

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.

Interesting Facts About the State Bat of Virginia

Posted on September 4, 2019 by virginia

Here in Virginia, we are proud to be represented by a wonderful and vital bat species known as the Virginia Big-Eared Bat. Continue reading to learn some interesting and inspirational facts about our official state bat, including what you can do to support the local bat colonies in Old Dominion without putting your property at risk.

Bat Control Company Virginia — The Virginia Big-Eared Bat

The Virginia Big-Eared Bat

The Virginia Big-Eared Bat is scientifically referred to as Corynorhinus townsendii virginianus, as it is part of the Vespertilionidae family of the animal kingdom. They are a cave-dwelling bat, but will also choose abandoned mines, hollow trees, and deep rock crevices along river banks as their roost. Although found in found in some other states, such as North Carolina, Kentucky, and even West Virginia, the Virginia Big-Eared Bat is Virginia’s official state bat. Their populations are most dense in the Western parts of the state.

Our state is one of the only ones to have designated a state bat. Two other states also have official state bats. Oklahoma and Texas also have a state bat, which happens to be the same species, the Mexican Free-Tailed bat! Proposed by Virginia Delegate, Jackie Stump, and later added as a law, the Virginia Big-Eared Bat became the official state bat of Virginia as recently as 2005! It is unfortunately on the Endangered Species list

Since the Virginia Big-Eared Bat is an endangered species, there are laws legislated by the Endangered Species Act that protect Virginia Big-Eared Bats against wrongful acts of harm or tampering. Violating such laws is a crime under Virginia state law. In fact, they are classified as a Class 1 misdemeanor, which can render jail time up to a year and a fine of $2,500.

Federal violations of the Endangered Species Act are even more severe. Those charged will face with the $50,000 fine and up to a year of imprisonment. Those who threaten the species are subject to a $25,000 fine and up to 6 months imprisonments. See our blog, “Federally Endangered Species of Bat in Virginia” to learn more about this topic, including how to protect yourself from unintentionally committing a crime against endangered bats.

If Bats Become a Nuisance on Your Property

All bats are vital parts of the surrounding ecosystem and highly beneficial to our local economies, but sometimes, they can be a nuisance. When this happens, trust a licensed and insured Virginia bat removal company for safe and humane bat abatement service at an affordable price. Wish to help the local bat populations, but don’t want to jeopardize your home or loved ones? See our blog, “How to Safely Support Local Bat Colonies” to learn how to achieve your goal.

Contact Virginia Bat Pros today at 804-729-9097 to request a free estimate or information about safe and humane Virginia bat control solutions. We look forward to delivering affordable and long-lasting solutions for your bat problems!

Expected Bat Behaviors According to the Season

Posted on August 28, 2019 by virginia

On the big screen, bats are often portrayed as aggressive animals that fly around erratically and target humans for attack. But the reality is that bats are mostly peaceful mammals, and are not likely to come near you, let alone attack you, under any circumstances. If you live in an area that is highly populated with bats, it will help relieve any concern you have about potential bat dangers by learning about their predictable behaviors year-round.

Continue reading to learn how bats behave from season to season, and what to do to better control nuisance bat activity around your house.

Spring

Bats in the spring are typically transitioning out of hibernacula (hibernation). During this time, bats are searching for a new roosting site that will be better suited for the warmer months ahead. These new sites will serve as maternity roosts for females and bachelor roosts for males. Interestingly, expecting mothers will often return to the very site they were born to have their bat pup! And you better hope it’s not your attic! Other common maternity sites for bats include hollowed trees, window shutters, roofs, siding panels, gutters, barns, and garages.

Summer

Once summer arrives, so have the baby bats, also referred to as pups. A mother bat gives birth to one single pup per year, usually around late May or early June. During this time, it is common for homeowners to see lone or dead young bats laying around. This is due to the fact that young bats learn to fly around 8 weeks, which usually occurs in July, and not all pups are good learners. If you see a live, lone bat on the ground in your yard, it is likely just taking a rest before it takes flight and tries again. If the bat is still there the next day, contact a Virginia bat removal company for safe assistance.

Fall and Winter

In the fall, bats are on the hunt for a new winter roosting site. Some bats migrate to southern points of the state, while others choose to search for roosts in the same community. Winter bat roosts often wind up being hollowed trees, abandoned mines, caves, and of course, our very own houses and buildings. Here, bats will enter into hibernacula, also known as hibernation or torpor. This hibernation period generally begins around mid-October, but can sometimes be delayed until the temperatures begin to remain under 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Once in hibernacula, bats remain in a torpor-like state until spring emerges with warmer weather.

Professional Bat Control in Virginia

Sometimes bats can be a nuisance, even though they don’t mean to be. When this happens, trust a licensed and insured Virginia bat removal company for safe and humane bat abatement service at an affordable price. Contact Virginia Bat Pros today at 804-729-9097 to request a free estimate or information about our services, prices, and more. We look forward to delivering affordable and long-lasting solutions for your bat problems!

Will Bats Attack My Dog?

Posted on August 6, 2019 by virginia

If you are aware of a local bat colony in your area, you might have several concerns in terms of safety, especially if you have an outdoor pet. Fortunately, even when bats are nearby, there are several ways to protect yourself, your pets, and your property from any kind of harm. Continue reading to learn what you need to know about nuisance bats and pet safety, including common transmissible bat diseases, pet vaccines, bat control, and more.

The Nature of Bats

When you think about bats, you might picture those scary movies you’ve seen showing bats swooping into women’s hair and chasing people down the street. But the truth is, bats are more scared of us, and our pets, than we are of them. For this reason, a bat’s instinctual nature is to avoid interactions of any kind with humans and animals that are deemed predators, like your dog. So what does this mean for your outdoor pet? Well, it means that it is very unlikely that a bat attacks your dog. However, there are circumstances in which there could be a threat of harm. This is where pet vaccinations come into play.

Pet Vaccines

Bats are known carriers of several infectious, transmissible diseases, such as Rabies. What’s even scarier is that, once contracted, there is no cure for Rabies. When a bat is sick or injured, it is more vulnerable to its predators. And with curious dogs sniffing around outside, it is possible for them to come across a wounded or ill bat, and attempt to get a closer look. These are the most common cases of bats attacking or biting dogs; when they are scared and acting out of self-defense. For this reason, it is vital to have your pets vaccinated routinely to protect them from such transmissible diseases.

Bat Control

To truly relieve your anxiety about the dangers of bats, you need to resolve your nuisance bat problem at its root. By abating bat activity on and around your property, you can further protect your outdoor pets from bat confrontations. Certain environmental changes coupled with professional bat exclusion services are the best strategies for abating bat activity. Contact a licensed bat removal and control company in your town for non-lethal bat exclusion advice and assistance.

Who to Call for Virginia Bat Control

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.

What are Flying Foxes?

Posted on July 29, 2019 by virginia

If you are having trouble with nuisance bats in your area, you may have done some research to learn your options for abatement. In fact, that is probably why you have found yourself on this very blog page! On your journey to learning more about nuisance bat control, you may have come across a species of bat known as Flying Foxes. You may even have come across some pictures of them, leaving you in quite the fright. They are big, and scary-looking, after all. But not to worry; you will not come across a Flying Fox in Virginia. This suborder of bats are not native to our region, but rather, in tropical and subtropical locations.

Continue reading to learn more about flying foxes, as well as, how to safely manage your nuisance bat issues.

Classification of Bats

Bats are part of the Animal Kingdom, and further broken down into narrower classifications, including the Chordata Phylum, Mammalia Class, and of course, the Chiroptera Order. Within the Chiroptera Order, bats are categorized into one of two suborders: Microchiroptera and Megachiroptera. Also referred to as microbats and megabats, these suborders are quite different in size, diet, habitat, and more.

So where do Flying Foxes fit in? They are part of the Megachiroptera suborder, while bats found here in Virginia belong to the Microchiroptera suborder. Megachiroptera bats only includes one family, Pteropodidae, but can be further narrowed into 7 Subfamilies, including Nyctimeninae, Cynopterinae, Harpiyonycterinae, Macroglossinae, Pteropodinae, Rousettinae, and Epomophorinae, and 166 different species.

Megabats

Flying Foxes are indeed, megabats. They are the largest bats on the planet, ranging in size depending on the particular species. The Large Flying Fox (Pteropus vampyrus), also known as the Greater Flying Fox, Malayan Flying Fox, Malaysian Flying Fox, Large Fruit Bat, Kalang or Kalong, is the largest of them all, achieving wingspans and forearm lengths up to 5 feet.

They go by many colloquial names, including Old World Fruit Bats, or simply, Fruit bats. They do not eat insects, small birds, small amphibians, nor animal blood. Instead, as their name so obviously implies, Flying Foxes consume fruit; either the nectar, the flesh, or both. Furthermore, they do not use echolocation like microbats. Instead, they have great eyesight and a large visual cortex, which they use conjointly to navigate around.

Where to Get Nuisance Bat Control in Virginia

A Bat Might Be the Smaller Extant Mammal on Earth!

Posted on July 19, 2019 by virginia

Arguably the smallest mammal known to man is the Kitti’s Hog-Nosed bat! This is an exciting suggestion considering just how much we love bats and support their contributions to our surrounding economies and Eco-systems! Continue reading to learn some interesting facts about the Kitti’s Hog-Nosed bat, as well as, how you can do your part to support the local bat populations in Virginia with safe and humane bat control service.

Kitti’s Hog-Nosed Bat (Craseonycteris thonglongyai)

You may know the Kitti’s Hog-Nosed bat better by its colloquial name, the Bumblebee bat. From this simple moniker, you can immediately get an idea of just how small these fascinating mammals truly are! The average size of a full grown, adult Bumblebee bat is 1.1 to 1.3 inches in length, which can be compared to the size of a nickel! As for weight, at full maturity they tend to be less than 2 grams, or 0.071 ounces!

When it comes to the rest of their appearance, their formal name describes it well. They have a pig-like snout, hence the “hog-nosed” portion of their name. They also have large ears, reddish-brown or grey fur, and darker colored wings. There is no tail on the Kitti’s Hog-Nosed bat, but they do have a large web of skin between the hind legs called the uropatagium, which may help them with flying.

A Tropical Microbat

The Kitti’s Hog-Nosed bat is native to Thailand and Myanmar, generally taking up roosts in limestone caves and along riverbeds. They are part of the Microchiroptera order, now called Yangochiroptera, and happen to be the only existing bat in the Craseonycteridae family. See their scientific classification data below for a better understanding:

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Chiroptera
Family: Craseonycteridae
Genus: Craseonycteris
Species: C. thonglongyai

✨ Learn how to do your part to help preserve this special species by reading our blog, “How to Safely Support Local Bat Colonies.”

Humane Bat Control in Virginia

The Two Main Types of Bats in Nature

Posted on July 9, 2019 by virginia

Bats are incredible mammals. That’s right; bats are not rodents like many incorrectly assume. Bats are a mammalian species that provide several ecological and economical contributions that we as a society rely on for many things. As such an incredible species, it is good to learn more about bats so that you can spread the word on their importance. Furthermore, you can learn how to support local bat colonies in your area without jeopardizing the safety and structural integrity of your property. However, the best place to start when you want to enhance your knowledge and understanding of bats is with the basics.

Continue reading to learn about the two main types of bats in the world, and which one is the type that lives in your neck of the woods.

Virginia Bat Removal Control Service — Flying Fox – Fruit Bat (Pteropus vampyrus)

Chiroptera Order

Bats are flying mammals that belong to the order Chiroptera, which comes from the Greek words cheir for “hand”, and pteron for “wing.” This names was inspired by bat’s hand-like wings that are shaped from four elongated “fingers” covered by skin (cutaneous) membrane. Bats are actually the second largest order of mammals in the world, as they make up nearly 20% of all classified mammal species, and contain over 1,200 species. This mammalian order is further broken down into two sub-orders, Megachiroptera and Microchiroptera.

Megabats

The term megabats is a colloquial moniker for Megachiroptera, which is one of the two sub-orders of bats. However, the term Megachiroptera is outdated as a result of recent scientific evidence. So now, this suborder of bats is referred to as Yinpterochiroptera.

Megabats are large, but range in size depending on the family, genus, and species of bat. For instance, the largest family of bats are known as Flying Foxes, and can weigh as much as 4 pounds and have a wingspan up to 5 or 6 feet!

Other megabats are known as Old-World Fruit Bats, or just Fruit Bats. That is because megabats are frugivorous, so they consume the nectar and pollen from flowering fruits. They also live in tropical and subtropical regions, so you are not likely to see a megabat in the Old Dominion.

Microbats

The term microbats is a colloquial moniker for Microchiroptera, which is one of the two sub-orders of bats. However, the term Microchiroptera is outdated as a result of recent scientific evidence. So now, this suborder of bats is referred to as Yangochiroptera.

Microbats are smaller than megabats, ranging in size depending on the same factors mentioned before. Some are so small, they can squeeze through an opening as tiny as 3/8^th of an inch! For this reason, they are common nuisances for home and building owners in Virginia.

Microbats do not eat the same diet as megabats either. Instead, they are insectivorous, which means they consume insects like flies, gnats, moths, and mosquitoes. A single bat can consume more than 1,000 insects in a single night! They are excellent pest control.

Nuisance Bats in Virginia

Here in Virginia, we have microbats. In fact, read our blog, “Get to Know Our State Bat” for a better understanding of how bats native to our area can behave, as well as, affect our properties. If you suspect you have bats in the attic, or simply wish to control a nuisance bat problem, contact a Virginia Bat Control Company that can deliver safe, non-lethal assistance.

Safe and Affordable Bat Control in Virginia

Fantastic Bat Facts for Kids!

Posted on June 28, 2019 by virginia

Children shouldn’t be afraid of bats! Bats serve a highly valuable ecological importance in our surrounding environments, and positive contribution to our local economies. So, don’t let kids be afraid of bats; instead, help get them on the same team by eliminating their fears and anxieties forever.

Start with these fascinating bat facts just for kids!

? There are over 1000 different bat species.

? Bats are mammals.

? Bats are the only mammal that can fly. Other mammals just soar, float, or drift on air currents.

? Bats are nocturnal, which means they are awake and active between sunset and sunrise, while you are asleep.

? Bats can to be 20 year old and older.

? The smallest species of bat is called the Kitti’s Hog-Nosed bat, and it is about the size of a bumblebee!

? The largest species of bat are called Flying Foxes, and they can get as big as a bicycle!

? Bats are not blind! But they do use a sonar skill called echolocation to improve their flying and hunting accuracy.

? Mother bats give birth to one single baby each year. Baby bats are called pups.

? Bats are insectivores, which means they eat bugs; mostly flying ones like mosquitoes, gnats, and moths.

? A single bat can eat more than its own body weight in insects each night. That’s around 1,000 mosquitoes!

? Bats are nature’s pest control because they eat so many mosquitoes.

? Bats live in caves, hollowed trees, abandoned mines, and inside large rock crevices.

? Most bats live in large colonies. Some colonies have hundreds of thousands of bats!

? There are 3 species of bat that eat blood, but they only target cows, horses, and pigs.

Admire Bats at a Distance

Although bats are incredible and important animals, it is very important to NEVER attempt to touch, trap, harm, or kill a bat under any circumstances. Not only might they have diseases and parasites that can be harmful to you, the interaction can be harmful to them too. Always admire bats at a distance, and never get too close. See our blog, “How to Safely Support Local Bat Colonies” to learn how to do your part without jeopardizing your safety or theirs.