Where Do Bats Go in the Winter?

Posted on December 16, 2019 by virginia

Now that the snow is here, all the local Virginia wildlife are carrying out their winter plans; bats included. Many people assume that all bats migrate just as birds do, but this is not entirely true. Some bats may migrate to warmer climates, but several others will remain right here in Old Dominion. Continue reading to learn more about bat habitats in winter, and what to do if your house winds up being one of them.

Virginia Bat Removal and Control 804-729-9097 — Eastern Red bats migrate south for the winter.

Bats and Migration

In the winter, Virginia insects diminish in accessibility, making it difficult for bats to thrive through the season. For this reason, many bat species migrate to warmer climates, sometimes thousands of miles away. Here in Virginia, there are around 15 different species of bat, including the Gray bat, Indiana Bat, Rafinesque’s Big-Eared bat (also known as the Southeastern Big-eared 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, Ozark Big-Eared bat, Townsend’s Big-Eared bat, Northern Myotis, and of course our state bat, the Virginia Big-Eared bat.

Of these species, the ones that migrate in the fall are Eastern Red bats, Silver-Haired bats, and Hoary bats. These migrating species take shelter in trees, which go bare in the winter, making them quite undesirable. So as a solution, they take flight to Southern regions, like Mexico and the Caribbean. Some stop as near as Arizona and Texas.

Bats That Do Not Migrate

As for the species of bat that do not migrate, well they just find some adequate shelter to keep them warm and protect them from predators, and then slip right into torpor for the remainder of the season. 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 hibernation, also known as hibernacula or torpor. This 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.

Bats in the Attic

As a result of land over-development and additional environmental impacts, many local bat populations have been forced to seek shelter in our very own buildings, homes, and structures. It is quite common to find roosting bats in attics, roofs, gutters, downspouts, garages, crawl spaces, wall voids, sheds, barns, pool houses, and even children’s tree houses.

How to Get Rid of Bats on Your Property

Although bats are vital parts of the surrounding ecosystem and highly beneficial to our local economies, we do not want to find them in our house or building. 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 through the winter season but don’t want to put your property at risk of damage? See our blog, “How to Safely Support Local Bat Colonies” to learn your options.

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.

Why are Bats a Part of the Halloween Theme?

Posted on October 30, 2019 by virginia

So you have your costumes laid out, a big bag of goodies to pass out, and a party in store. But don’t forget; no Halloween would be complete without all the fun and spooky décor!

When you think about Halloween decorations, the first images that pop into your head are pumpkins, witches, spider webs, dead trees, haunted houses, and of course, bats. Although it’s obvious why many of these things are creepy, why are bats considered so spooky? Why did they become such an ingrained part of our Halloween traditions?

Continue reading to find out some fun Halloween bat facts that you can share with your friends this week!

Halloween Bat Removal Virginia 804-729-9097

Bats and Halloween

The correlation between Halloween and bats might have started with their natural features and characteristics. You see, bats are nocturnal, have sharp pointy teeth, and webbed wings. All of these qualities and features can be considered a bit on the eerie side. However, there might be more to the history of bats and Halloween.

Vampire Bats

Then you have the Vampire Bat, which was likely another large influence on the incorporation of bats on All Hallows’ Eve. Vampire bats are one of the only species of mammal that consume the blood of their prey. This, combined with their name and nocturnal nature, can easily be seen as scary and spooky! Once this species was discovered in Central and South America, they were quickly dubbed “Vampires”, and word spread around. Soon after, Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1897) depicted vampires shapeshifting into bats, which cemented the spooky connection.

The truth is, Vampire bats do not attack humans or pets, and instead, 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. See our blog, “Common Misunderstandings About Bats” to clear up some more rumors you’ve heard about bats.

The Actual Scary Part About Bats

Although bats are incredible mammals that play a large, beneficial role in our surrounding Eco-system and economies, they are not something you want inside your property. Bats are looking for winter shelter right now, which could mean your attic, roof, wall voids, and similar dark, cozy spots. If you have seen bats flying in your neighborhood before, they are a possible threat in terms of property damage and infestation. Bats are so small, they can fit through an opening as tiny as 3/8ths of an inch, which means you could have vulnerabilities you don’t even know about. Read our blog, “The Top Three Signs that You Have Bats in the House” to learn how to spot the clues.

Another common bat threat is disease. Bats are known carriers of several infectious and contagious diseases and parasites, such as Rabies, Histoplasmosis, bat mites, lice, and more. It is vital that you never attempt to touch, trap, harm, or kill a bat under any circumstances. Furthermore, always make sure your pet’s vaccinations are up to date. Read our blog, “3 Transmissible Bat Diseases That Can Affect People and Pets” to learn more about bat diseases.

Preventing Nuisance Bat Problems

Contact a local Virginia bat control professional for help protecting your home against potential bat damages before they can happen. If you suspect you have bats in the attic, or bats in your house, contact them for emergency bat removal services as soon as possible. The longer bats are in your house, the more damages add up. So to prevent costly damages and invasive repairs, be sure to act fast and schedule an inspection.

Virginia Bat Removal and Control You Can Trust

Contact Virginia Bat Pros at 804-729-9097 for safe and humane bat removal and control services you can trust. 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.

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.

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.

Learn How Bats are Nature’s Pesticide

Posted on March 11, 2019 by virginia

Thinking back to the post-World War Two era, farmers were keen on using DDT, a “first-of-its-kind” pesticide at the time. Although it was moderately effective at protecting crops and even preventing malaria, the dangers of DDT pesticides were soon discovered. New alternative pesticide products now exist, but they still pose certain hazards to our surrounding Eco-systems and planet as a whole. To make matters worse, according to an article written by Dr. Michael C.R. Alavanja, even to this day our country is using an average of 1 billion pounds of pesticides each year for crop protection.

For these reasons and more, we need a new solution to pesticide; one that will not cause our planet any more harm or pollution. A great place to start is to protect and preserve our local bat populations. Why bats? What do they have to do with pesticide? Well, bats are nature’s pesticide! Continue reading to learn why!

Bats and the Eco-System

Bats are known as filthy, scary, flying rodents that will attack and suck the blood of an innocent victim. The reality is, bats have been given this reputation through literature, media, and more. The truth about bats is that they are harmless, for the most part, and will not attack you or harm another person unless provoked or attacked themselves. Although they are destructive to our properties in cases of infestation, bats are actually vital parts of our surrounding Eco-systems and even our local economies. Mostly, their positive contribution to our local Eco-systems and economies is due to their natural pesticide tendencies.

Bats and Pest Control

You see, bats are not usually solitary mammals. See our last month’s blog, “Do Bats Live Alone or in Groups?” Instead, most bat populations native to Virginia live in large colonies, typically in the hundreds or thousands. And a single bat can consume more than 1,000 flying insects in a single night, which means a bat colony can eradicate millions of insects in just one night! Since there are numerous bat colonies in Virginia, that adds up to billions of flying pests hunted and eaten every single night! That is impressive, and FREE, pest control.

So what does this have to do with our local Eco-systems and economies? See our blog, “The Ecological Importance of Bats” to find out all the details regarding their amazing contributions. Basically, bats eat up all the pests that fly around at night, such as mosquitoes, gnats, flies, dragonflies, moths, and more, all of which destroy farmers’ crops. With this added level of crop protection, farmers can grow better, healthier produce, which can be sold to the community, which adds money to the farmers’ wallets and the local economy!

Doing Your Part

If you want to support local bat populations and help our country reduce it’s excessive use of pesticides, there are many things you can do. You can donate to various wildlife rescue and conservation initiatives, or you can even install bat houses on your property. Read our blog, “How to Safely Support Local Bat Colonies” to learn more ways to help bats.

Nuisance Bats

As mentioned, bats can also be a nuisance to property owners in the case of an infestation or interference. If this happens to you, it is important to never attempt to touch, harm, trap, or kill bats under any circumstances. Instead, do your part to preserve and protect the local bat populations by contacting a licensed and insured Virginia bat removal company for safe and humane service.

Virginia Bat Removal and Control

Call Virginia Bat Pros at 804-729-9097 to receive a basic, over-the-phone quote for bat removal and control assistance. We serve all of Virginia, including Richmond, Petersburg, Short Pump, Lynchburg, Charlottesville, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Newport News, Virginia Beach, and all of their 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.

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.

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!

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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.

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.

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What Happens to Bats After Bat Removal?

Posted on June 20, 2018 by virginia

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.

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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.

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Facts About White-Nose Syndrome and Bats

Posted on June 7, 2018 by virginia

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.

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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.

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Which Bats are Native to the State of Virginia?

Posted on December 20, 2017 by virginia

Virginia Bat Removal and Control 804-729-9097

There are two main categories of bat: Microchiroptera and Megachiroptera. Megabats are also called fruit bats because they primarily feed on the pollen and nectar of fruits. For this reason and more, they generally live in warmer, tropical habitats. Since Virginia is not a tropical climate, we are left with the other suborder of bats: microbats. Microbats are smaller in size and feed on insects like moths and mosquitos. They are widely known for their use of echolocation, but also for being quite to nuisance to residential and commercial properties.

Although microbats are the common suborder of bat found in Virginia, there approximately 1,000 species found around the world. Here in Virginia, there are not that many species flying around. In fact, there are only a select few that are the most common among nuisance bat problems. Continue reading to learn which species of microbats are common here in Virginia, and what you can do to protect your home from an infestation.

Let’s Start With Endangered Species

There are 3 particular species of bat in Virginia that are Federally-endangered, and 1 that is state-endangered (Rafinesque’s Big-Eared Bat). All of them are currently protected by the Endangered Species Act. This act strictly prohibits anyone from attempting to “harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, collect, or attempt to engage in any such conduct” with any endangered or threatened species of wildlife, including bats. The bats that are on this list include:

🦇 Gray Bat (Myotis grisescens)
🦇 Indiana Bat (Myotis sodalist)
🦇 Virginia Big-Eared Bat (Corynorhinus townsendii virginianus)
🦇 Rafinesque’s Big-Eared Bat (Also known as the Southeastern Big-eared Bat)

Additional Species of Bat in Virginia

Aside from endangered species, there are 12 other non-game protected species of bat that are commonly found in Virginia. These include the 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, Ozark Big-Eared Bat, Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat, and the Northern Myotis.

Nuisance Bats in Virginia

In terms of nuisance wildlife problems, the species of bat that are often found dwelling inside attics, garages, decks, crawl spaces, and more include the Big Brown Bat (Eptesicus fuscus), Evening Bat (Nycticeius humeralis), and Little Brown Bat (Myotis lucifugus). Bat removal specialists often come across these three species when providing humane bat extraction and exclusion services in our state.

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