Interesting Facts About Big Brown Bats

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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.

Virginia Bat Removal and Control 804-729-9097

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

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 List of Household Spices to Keep Bats Away

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Bats are just like every other mammal in terms of likes and dislikes. There are several things that bats find quite enjoyable, and several others they stay far away from. If you are noticing an increase in nuisance bat activity around your property, you can try a safe and humane approach using simple, around-the-house spices and other ingredients.

Continue reading to review a list of spices and scents that bats absolutely detest, and how to use them for bat proofing around the property.

Virginia Bat Removal and Control 804-729-9097

Virginia Bat Removal and Control 804-729-9097

Below are some spices and scents that drive bats crazy! Use them in combination with water to create a solution that can be sprayed around your yard and house in order to keep bats at bay. They will work in powdered form, or as oils, liquids, and extracts.

Spices and Scents That Bats Hate:

✅ Menthol
✅ Eucalyptus
✅ Peppermint
✅ Spearmint
✅ Cayenne Pepper
✅ Black Pepper
✅ Chili Pepper
✅ Tabasco® Sauce
✅ Moth Balls

How to Make Homemade Bat Repellent

You will need a clean plastic spray bottle, water, and your choice of household ingredients from the items listed above. Once you have all your materials gathered, combine clean water with a moderate amount of each ingredient and transfer it to a spray bottle. Then simply spray the perimeter of your lawn with the solution, or in areas where you have noticed increased bat activity. After each rainfall, reapply until the bats decide your home is not a comfortable spot to hang out.

Special Note: If you are using hot sauce, be careful spraying the solution in areas where your pets hang out. It can be harmful to their eyes, mouth, nose, and throat.

Important Reminder About Bat Control

Keep in mind that you should never, under any circumstances whatsoever, attempt to touch, trap, harm, or kill a bat. This solution is the safest way you can get rid of bats all on your own, and without harming yourself, your pets, the bats, or the surrounding the environment.

What To Do About Nuisance Bats

Virginia Bat Removal and Control 804-729-9097

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, including Richmond, Petersburg, Short Pump, Lynchburg, Charlottesville, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Newport News, Virginia Beach, and more. Request a free estimate, today.

The Ecological Importance of Bats

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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

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

Virginia Bat Removal and Control 804-729-9097

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. Request a free estimate or advice, today.

7 Things You Should Never Do If You Have Bats

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If you have bats in or around the house, there are some important facts you need to know. These facts will protect you, your occupants, your home, and the bats. Continue reading to learn what you SHOULD NEVER do if you have a nuisance bat problem on your property, as well as, what you SHOULD DO for a safe and humane solution.

Virginia Bat Removal and Control 804-729-9097

Virginia Bat Removal and Control 804-729-9097

❶ NEVER Touch, Handle, or Provoke Bats

Bats are known carriers of several infectious diseases that can affect both people and pets. And although they are not likely to attack or bite unless provoked or ill, you still run the risk of being bitten or scratched by a bat if you attempt to disturb them in any way. They also tend to have lice and mites, which are also transmissible to people and pets. It is important to never touch or provoke a bat under any circumstances.

❷ NEVER Attempt to Trap, Capture, Harm, or Kill Bats

Not only is it unethical, immoral, and inhumane to trap or kill bats, it is illegal under most circumstances. Bats are protected species, and there are laws that prohibit handling, transporting, or domesticating bats without the proper licensing and permits. Never try to harm or kill a bat. Remember, they are not your enemy and you are not their enemy!

❸ NEVER Call the Local Dog Pound to Get Rid of Bats

A dog catcher is not the answer to a nuisance bat problem, so do not waste your time calling them for help. They only deal with stray dogs and cats, and will simply refer you to a local wildlife rescue and rehabilitation company who specializes in bat removal and control services.

❹ NEVER Rely On Local Animal Control Services to Help

For the same reasons a local dog catcher won’t be any help, you should never rely on the county or city animal control department to solve your bat problem. Not only are they under-staffed and overworked, they do not have the proper resources and training to abate and relocate bats. They may tell you they will get around to it, but their case loads are so full, it is not likely to happen any time soon.

❺ NEVER Tamper or Disrupt Their Bat Droppings (Guano)

Bat droppings (guano) can be highly toxic, especially for elderly folk, young children, and those with weakened immune systems. Guano commonly grows a fungus called Histoplasmosis Capsulatum, which emits toxic spores into the air. Upon inhalation and exposure, these spores can cause an infectious lung disease called Histoplasmosis, which is also known as Spelunker’s Lung, Cave Disease, Ohio Valley Disease, Reticuloendotheliosis, and Darling’s Disease.

❻ NEVER Seal Up Their Entry and Exits Points to the House

Bat abatement and proofing methods are very complex. The process requires proper equipment, knowledge, training, permits, and experience. Not only is it unsafe for you and the bats, immediately sealing up bat openings is not the proper procedure for bat removal and control. There are several other steps that come first in order to protect the bats and the house, and to ensure long-term results.

❼ NEVER Settle for Living With a Bat Problem

Not only are bats unsafe to have around your loved ones and pets, they are destructive to your property. Never settle for living with a bat problem, because there is no reason you have to! Contact a licensed Virginia bat removal and control company for expert bat abatement and exclusion services you can trust.

What You SHOULD DO Instead…

Virginia Bat Removal and Control 804-729-9097

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.

Common Misunderstandings About Bats

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Virginia Bat Removal and Control 804-729-9097

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?

Virginia Bat Removal and Control 804-729-9097

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, such as bat cleanup and restorations for bat damages. We even provide insurance work! Call us to request a free estimate, anytime.

What Happens to Bats After Bat Removal?

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Nuisance bats can be a big problem for property owners. They can cause a wide range of structural damages, and can even pose several health risks to people and pets. Fortunately, there are qualified wildlife rescue and control companies that specialize in safe and humane bat removal. They will extract nuisance bats, non-lethally of course, and then bat-proof your property to prevent future infestations. They may even be able to perform cleanup and restoration services for the leftover bat damages, including excrement removal, decontamination, and minor structural repairs (i.e. attic insulation, drywall, floorboards, odor management, etc.).

But once a wildlife control company removes bats, what do they do with them? Continue reading to learn more about the industry practices for bat rehabilitation and relocation.

Virginia Bat Removal and Control 804-729-9097

Virginia Bat Removal and Control 804-729-9097

Where Do Bats Go?

When a licensed and insured wildlife removal and control company arrives to remove a bat, they come fully equipped with everything they need to keep the bat safe and comfortable. They carry a bat rescue kit that contains items like a small escape-proof cage lined with bedding, 1cc syringes loaded with a sodium lactate solution (Ringer’s®) to keep the bat hydrated, meal worms for juvenile or adult bats, leather gloves, an extendable pole, and cloths for wrapping the bat up to be carried to its cage.

Once the wildlife control operator has the bat safely in its transport cage, they transfer it to a wildlife rehabilitation laboratory to be screened for CNS rabies symptoms. Once the bat has been cleared of Rabies, it is time to relocate it to a safe and faraway habitat where it can live out the remainder of its life, peacefully and protected.

DIY Bat Removal is Not an Option

Those with a nuisance wild animal control permit are the only individuals authorized to extract, transport, and relocate bats. They operate their business within accepted industry standards and best practices, and in accordance with local, state, and federal laws that govern wildlife. Here are some laws you should know about before you attempt to deal with nuisance bats on your own:

In Virginia it is illegal to:

1) Transport, release, or relocate a bat anywhere other than the property it was caught on. (4VAC15-30-50)

2) Poison any animal (including bat) other than rats and mice on your property. (4VAC15-40-50)

According to the Endangered Species Act, it is a Federal offense to “harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect, or to attempt to engage in any such conduct” any endangered or threatened species.”

Furthermore…

Out of the 16 common species of bat in Virginia, there are 3 species that are Federally-endangered and protected under the Endangered Species Act. These species include the Gray bat (Myotis grisescens), Indiana bat (Myotis Soladis), and Virginia Big-Eared bat (Corynorhinus townsendii virginianus).

If you find a bat in the house with multiple occupants (especially children), the Virginia Department of Health strongly encourages to have the bat tested for Rabies. But do not panic; less than ½ of 1% of all bats carry the Rabies virus.

Virginia Bat Removal and Control

Virginia Bat Removal and Control 804-729-9097

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, 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.

Facts About White-Nose Syndrome and Bats

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White-Nose Syndrome (WNS) is a bat killing disease that has already wiped out millions of bats across the world. Learn more about this debilitating bat disease, and what you should do if you are concerned about bat activity around your house.

Virginia Bat Removal and Control 804-729-9097

Virginia Bat Removal and Control 804-729-9097


White-Nose Syndrome is a fatal disease that affects hibernating bat colonies. It is named after its most distinct symptom, which is a white-colored film that develops on the snouts and wings of infected bats. The disease is caused by a psychrophilic (cold-loving) fungus called Pseudogymnoascus destructans, which is formerly known as Geomyces destructans.

It tends to affects bats since the fungus cannot thrive in temperatures above 20 degrees Celsius. Caves in wintertime make for the perfect growth conditions for this type of fungus; and many bat colonies use caves just like these to hibernate for the season. Bats decrease their metabolic rate and drop their body temperature to save energy during hibernation.

The disease causes bats to wake up more often in warmer temperatures. This disruption in hibernacula jeopardizes their energy and fat reserves. It causes them to use up more energy, lose body fat, and eventually starve to death. In later stages of the disease, infected bats in will also become dehydrated, suffer from acidification, and have scarring of the wings, which hinders their flying abilities. It is suggested by researchers that infected bats use twice as much energy as a healthy bat would.

The disease usually spreads direct contact with other infected bats, or by picking up the fungus from contact with contaminated surfaces. White-Nose Syndrome causes very high death rates and population regressions in various species of bat, such as the little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus), federally-protected Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis), and Northern Long-Eared bat (Myotis spetentronalis).

What To Do About Nuisance Bats

Although bats are beloved and significant mammals that provide a wide range of benefits for our surrounding eco-systems, they can sometimes lose their way and become a pest problem for residential and commercial homeowners. If you are concerned that the bat activity around your home or building has continued to increase, it may be time for some professional intervention, just to be sure your property is protected from potential break-ins and infestations. Contact a licensed Virginia bat removal and control specialist for professional inspections, advice, and service. They can provide safe, humane, and effective solutions to your current and future bat problems.

Contact Our Bat Pros Today

Virginia Bat Removal and Control 804-729-9097

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.

The Difference Between a Wild Bat and a Nuisance Bat

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Virginia Bat Removal and Control 804-729-9097

Virginia Bat Removal and Control 804-729-9097

Bats have had it hard in terms of repute. Many people think of bats a dirty rodents and pests, when in fact, bats are incredibly unique and remarkable species that play an integral role in our surrounding eco-systems. For instance, bats are the only mammal that can fly! This is an incredible attribute, making them very special. Furthermore, they are integral in insect control, consuming more than 1,000 mosquitoes, gnats, flies, moths, and more, every night. That is a great favor for you since it keeps your property clear of unwanted bugs. As you can see, bats are not as bad as they are made to seem. However, there are cases in which bats in the wild become nuisance bats.

Continue reading to learn the difference between a wild bat and a nuisance bat. The distinction is important, especially if you have bats on or around your property.

Nuisance Bats

In Virginia, bats can be abated or excluded if they are deemed a “nuisance” to a residential or commercial property owner. According to the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF), “(…) species found committing or about to commit depredation upon ornamental or shade trees, agricultural crops, wildlife, livestock or other property or when concentrated in numbers and manners as to constitute a health hazard or other nuisance.”

Wild Bats

Although bats can fit into the “nuisance” category quite often, it does not include bats that are labeled as “endangered” or “threatened” under federal law. Endangered and threatened species of bat are protected under the Endangered Species Act. This Act makes it a Federal offense to “harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect, or to attempt to engage in any such conduct” to endangered or threatened species.

There are Currently 3 Endangered Species of Bat in Virginia:

☑ Gray Bat (Myotis grisescens)
☑ Indiana Bat (Myotis sodalis)
☑ Virginia Big-Eared Bat (Corynorhinus townsendii virginianus)

What To Do if You Find a Bat

If you discover that there’s a bat in your house, you need to contact a licensed Virginia bat removal company for emergency bat removal services. You can try to isolate the bat to one area of the home. So if it is in the bedroom, simply shut the door and leave one all the windows open to encourage the bat to fly outside. Leave the room like this until the bat removal specialists arrive.

If you find a bat on your property, whether a stranded baby or an injured adult, take your pets inside and leave it alone. Let nature take its course. If you have outdoor pets or children, contact a wildlife rescue company to have the bat safely and humanely removed and relocated. Special permits are required to transport bats and other wildlife.

If you notice bats flying around your property, you are in luck because you have a built-in insect control system. However, you need to have your home inspected and sealed up to by a licensed Virginia bat control company to ensure bats cannot enter your home and cause structural damages.

Virginia Bat Removal and Control

Virginia Bat Removal and Control 804-729-9097

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.

How to Get Rid of Bat Mites

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Many people assume they have a bed bug outbreak in their home, when in fact, it’s bat mites. Continue reading to learn more about bat mites, including what you need to do to properly clean up an infestation.

Virginia Bat Removal and Control 804-729-9097

Bat Mite


Bat mites, also known as bat bugs, are very similar to bed bugs in that they also consume the blood of a host. However, bat mites are a different type of parasite that are caused by a very specific reason; and that reason is a bat infestation.

If you have bat mites in your home, it means that you most likely also have bats. Most bats carry these mites, so if you discover them, you can safely assume there are bats living somewhere in your home as well. If you discover bats in your home, then you can safely assume you will need to resolve a bat mite infestation too.

Bat mites are a problem for many reasons, mostly involving personal comfort and hygiene. They can transfer to other hosts; and when they move from a bat to the rest of the home, they usually survive by feeding off of the blood of humans or pets. This can cause a wide range of skin irritation, including itchiness, bumps, reddening, burning, and more.

Treating Bat Bug Bites

Bat mite bites can be treated with simple, over-the-counter remedies, such as skin creams, antihistamines, and lotions. They can also be treated with prescription medications and ointments under the supervision of a family doctor. The type of treatment required depends on the severity of the reaction. If a pet such as a dog or cat shows signs of skin irritations, it is important to take them to their vet clinic for professional examination and treatment.

Cleaning Up an Infestation

The most effective and fastest method to getting rid of a bat bug outbreak is to first get rid of a bat infestation. Contact a licensed and insured Virginia bat removal and control company for professional inspection, extraction, and exclusion services. This means they will inspect the entire property for bats, remove them using safe and humane methods, close up any possible entry points, and then implement or recommend any environmental modifications to prevent bat activity on your property.

Once you have removed bats, you can then deal with the bat mite infestation. Fortunately, many bat removal businesses also provide full-service clean up and restoration services for damages caused by bats. This includes integrated pest management solutions for bat bugs. They may also be able to provide homeowners’ insurance claim work.

Trusted Virginia Bat Removal and Control

Virginia Bat Removal and Control 804-729-9097

Virginia Bat Removal and Control 804-729-9097

Call Virginia Bat Pros at 804-729-9097 for non-lethal bat removal and control assistance you can trust. We serve all of Old Dominion, including Richmond, Petersburg, Short Pump, Lynchburg, Charlottesville, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Newport News, Virginia Beach, and more. 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.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bat Removal and Control

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Virginia Bat Removal and Control 804-729-9097

Virginia Bat Removal and Control 804-729-9097

Bats are an incredible species of mammal, and we are lucky to have them as a part of our surrounding eco-system. Their high metabolic needs and diverse diets significantly impact our ecological communities by playing a vital role in pollination, seed dispersion, crop fertilization, insect control, protozoan hosting, ecotourism industries, and more. But where there are advantages, there are also disadvantages.

You see, no matter how wonderful bats are to our environment, they are not the most desirable house guests to have. Nuisance bats are a common problems for both residential and commercial property owners, as they cause a large amount of stress and destruction, and pose a long list of health concerns and safety risks.

For this reason, it is important to treat a nuisance bat problem early on, before you are faced with a bigger one later on. The longer bats roost in a property, the more damage they will cause, which will require more time and labor to resolve. If you suspect that you might have a nuisance bat issue in or around your home, it is helpful to learn the basics surrounding bat removal and control. This may give you some direction and an idea of what to expect if you have bats in the attic or other area of your property.

Continue reading to review some frequently asked questions and answers about bat removal and control to get started.

Virginia Bat Removal and Control 804-729-9097

Virginia Bat Removal and Control 804-729-9097

Do Bats Have Dangerous Diseases?

Bats are known carriers of the Rabies virus, but that does not mean that all bats are infected with rabies. Bats can be carriers, but not be infected. However, they can transmit the virus to another animal via their saliva or blood. The only way to accurately confirm that a bat is infected with rabies is to have their blood tested by a wildlife laboratory professional. Other than rabies, bats can pose several other health risks. Their guano can pose several bio-hazards, but largely, it can produce fungal spores that can cause a respiratory disease called Histoplasmosis, which is transmitted via inhalation. Furthermore, they can carry a wide range of parasites like lice, bat mites, and more.

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

There are several distinct indications that bats are active in or around your property. Common signs include peculiar sounds coming from the attic area, walls, ceiling, or roof. In these same areas, you can also look for yellow and brown stains that come from bat urine and droppings. This is another common sign of a large bat infestation. A very telling signs is smelling foul odors from these particular areas. This often indicates an infestation as well.

Seeing piles of bat guano around windows, doors, or other areas of your property is another telling sign that bats are present. You can differentiate bat guano apart from other animal droppings because it looks crumbled and black, and typically contains bits of digested insects. You will commonly find guano in attics, on roofs, and around window seals. Also, if you see bats swarming or flying near your home or roof, you can definitely assume that they are tampering with your home.

Will a Bat Attack Me?

You must understand that bats are more scared of you than you are of them. They are tiny and vulnerable little creatures, and all they want in life is a dark, cozy shelter and a buffet of flying insects. So if you encounter one, whether on your property, in your house, or in nature, it is very unlikely that it will attack you. The only reason a bat might attack a human or pet is if it is rabid, dying, sick, or with it’s young, and it is provoked in some way. This is why dogs seem to get the brunt of all reported bat bites. If you see a bat, do not try to touch, catch, or harm it. If you follow these rules, a bat will likely never attack you.

What Do I Do If There is a Bat in the House?

If you find a bat in your house, do not do anything to provoke it or make it more nervous. Simply acting nervous yourself can startle a scared bat. Here’s what to do instead: First, you need to contact a licensed bat control company for emergency bat removal service. Next, you can try to isolate the bat to one area of the home. So if it is in the bedroom, simply shut the door and leave one all the windows open to encourage the bat to fly outside. Leave the room like this until our bat control specialists arrive.

Where Can I Find Trusted Bat Removal and Control in Virginia?

Virginia Bat Removal and Control 804-729-9097

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, such as bat cleanup and restorations for bat damages. We even provide insurance work! Contact us today for a free estimate.