Do Bats Migrate in the Winter?

Posted on November 14, 2022 by virginia

As the weather gets cold and the days get shorter, bats in North America begin to prepare for winter. Some species of bats will migrate to warmer climates, while others will hibernate through the winter months. Let’s take a look at where some of these amazing creatures go during winter.

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Migrating Bats in the United States

One of the most well-known migratory species of bat is the Mexican free-tailed bat. These bats can be found all over North America, but in the winter, they head south to Mexico and Central America. They roost in caves and other protected areas during their journey.

Another migratory species is the hoary bat. These bats are among the largest in North America and can be found in forested areas from Alaska all the way down to Mexico. In the winter, they head to warmer climates in Central and South America.

Non-Migratory Bats in the U.S.

Not all bats migrate when winter comes. Some species, like the little brown bat, will hibernate through the cold months. Hibernation is a state of dormancy that helps animals conserve energy. Bats will often hibernate in caves or other protected areas where they are safe from the cold and predators.

So where do bats go in the winter? Some migrate to warmer climates, while others hibernate in protected areas. No matter where they spend the winter, these amazing creatures are sure to amaze us with their resilience and adaptability.

How to Deal With a Winter Bat Infestation

While many bat species start to head south for the winter, not all of them make it. Some stay put, while others get lost along the way and end up in places they don’t belong. If you live in a Virginia area where there are local bat populations, you may find yourself dealing with a bat infestation in your home. Bats are attracted to warm, dark places, and your attic is the perfect spot for them to hunker down for the winter.

Dealing with a bat infestation can be tricky. You don’t want to harm the bats, but you also don’t want them living in your home. The best way to deal with a bat infestation is to hire a professional Richmond VA bat removal company. They will be able to safely and humanely remove the bats from your home and seal up any entry points so they can’t get back in.

If you find yourself dealing with a bat infestation this winter, don’t panic. Just give us a call and we’ll take care of it for you. Contact Virginia Bat Pros at 804-729-9097 for safe and humane bat removal and control in Richmond, Virginia and its surrounding counties. We serve both residential and commercial clients.

Can I Get Rid of Bats in the Attic On My Own?

Posted on September 30, 2022 by virginia

If you suspect that you have bats in the attic in Richmond, Virginia, you are probably right. Hearing sounds of scurrying and flapping, squealing and screeching, shuffling and bustling, are all common indications of an attic pest infestation. If it’s not bats, it could be birds, squirrels, or chipmunks. You can tell you have bats rather than the latter possibilities if you spot the other common, tell-tale signs of bats in the attic.

For instance, bats are nocturnal, so they are most active at night, from the hours of dusk, up until dawn. Furthermore, bats have very distinct droppings, called guano, that look nothing like other woodland species droppings. Guano looks a lot like rodent droppings, but larger and full of visible insect parts. You can also confirm a bat infestation in the attic if you see dark, greasy stains on your siding or roof. These stains are caused by the bat’s fur rubbing on the surfaces as they enter and exit your home or building.

Although having bats in the attic is a major problem that requires immediate attention and intervention, the good news is that a bat infestation is entirely reversible, so long as you have the right information and resources. Does this mean you can get rid of bats on your own? Continue below to learn what you need to know about bat removal and restoration before making that decision for yourself.

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Bat Removal is For Trained and Licensed Professionals

Bat removal should only be carried out by trained and licensed professionals who retain the proper resources and permits for humane wildlife control. This isn’t just a recommendation urged by the industry, it is also the law in most cases. Many states deem it illegal to touch, tamper with, harm, or trap a bat. Various species of bat in Virginia are Federally protected under the Endangered Species Act and by the EPA. This includes our state bat, the Virginia Big Eared bat.

Furthermore, bats are known carriers of several infectious diseases, some of which are 100% fatal, like the Rabies Virus. Bats also carry and transmit lice, ticks, mites, fleas, gnats, and several other types of ectoparasites. It is important for you to understand that, even though you have a nuisance bat problem, local bat populations are ecologically beneficial. It is vital that we protect and conserve bat species around the world for the sake of our agriculture, economies, and more.

How to Get Rid of Bats in the Attic in Virginia

To properly get rid of bats in the attic, you must contact a licensed and insured wildlife control company that specializes in bat removal services in Richmond, Virginia. The proper permits, resources, equipment, and training to safely extract bats from the attic, exclude them from returning, and repair and restore the affected area. This might include insulation replacement, decontamination, animal damage cleanup and repair, and integrated pest management.

In conclusion, never attempt to touch, trap, harm, or kill a bat in Virginia. If authorities find out that you have violated any of these regulations, you will be fined thousands of dollars and subjected to several other civil penalties, possibly restitution and community service.

Would you like to know which company in Virginia to trust for safe and affordable bat extraction and abatement services? Contact Virginia Bat Pros at 804-729-9097 to get bats out of the attic in Richmond, or in any surrounding Virginia areas, including Fairfax County, Norfolk, and Manassas. We serve residential and commercial clients.

How to Detect a Bat Infestation in Your House

Posted on September 20, 2022 by virginia

If you notice any signs of bats in the house, be sure to contact a licensed Richmond bat removal and control company as soon as possible. Not sure how to detect bats in the attic or bats in the walls? Continue reading to learn the common signs of a bat infestation.

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Guide to Locating Bats in the House

There are many problems associated with having bats in the house. Not only do bats carry infectious diseases that can potentially be transmitted to humans and pets, but their droppings also pose several health risks, including a serious upper respiratory disease known as Histoplasmosis.

If you have bats in the house, you will need them extracted from your home, safely and humanely. Once extracted, they will be relocated to a faraway habitat where they can live out their significant lives in peace. As for your home, the job does not stop with bat removal. After bats are extracted, you will need further remediation to eliminate the mess, destruction, and health risks left behind.

If you suspect that you might have a bat infestation on your hands, there are some things you need to know right away. First, bats are not solitary mammals. They live in large colonies; so, where there’s one or two bats, there are likely many more. And since bats are nocturnal, they sleep quietly for most of the day. This means that they can go undetected by homeowners for a long time. The longer bats roost in your house, the more damage they cause, which ends up costing you money, time, and frustration that could have been avoided with proper nuisance wildlife prevention.

Fortunately, most Virginia bat removal companies also provide full-service decontamination and restoration work for bat damages. This includes disinfecting, sanitizing, and fumigating the area to eliminate waste and pests like bat mites and lice. It also includes replacing or renovating damaged areas like attic insulation, drywall, floorboards, siding, roof shingles, and more. Lastly, you will need your trusted Richmond bat removal and control company to implement the proper measures of wildlife proofing and prevention to stop future bat infestations.

Here are the Common Signs of Bats in the House:

Bats flying around your property at dusk and dawn.

Chirping, scratching, or screeching sounds in the walls or ceilings.

Inexplicable stains on walls and ceilings.

Foul odors lingering in the living quarters of the home.

Flutter noises in the attic or walls.

Bat droppings around doors and windowsills.

Greasy spots or stains on siding, doors, walls, or roofs.

Ready to schedule a professional a bat infestation inspection? Contact Virginia Bat Pros at 804-729-9097 for licensed and insured Virginia bat removal and control you can afford. We use safe and humane methods to deliver effective professional bat control for residential and commercial properties throughout Virginia.

What is a Microbat?

Posted on September 13, 2022 by virginia

In a previous blog, we discussed that all bat species are classified as one of two suborders, either Megachiroptera or Microchiroptera. In Virginia, we do not see megabats since they are biologically acclimated to tropical and subtropical climates. When local property owners are dealing with nuisance bat problems around here, it is always a Microchiroptera species to blame.

Continue reading to learn more about Megachiroptera suborder, and the common species native to the surrounding Virginia areas.

Yangochiroptera is the New Microchiroptera

Until recently, Microchiroptera was the suborder that included all microbat species. However, after new molecular evidence proved that size is not the most indicative factor in differentiating between megabats and microbats, “Microchiroptera” suborder is considered outdated. Most previously classified “microbats” are now classified as Yangochiroptera, with the exception of a few species. Furthermore, this evidence has also merged a few microbat species into the Yinpterochiroptera suborder, along with fruit bats, flying foxes, and other megabat species.

Special Note: For the sake of avoiding confusion, we will stick with the conversational terms, “microbats” or “Microchiroptera” in this blog.

Echolocation

One of the most significant differences between megabats and microbats is the use of echolocation. Megabats do not use echolocation, while virtually all microbats do. Echolocation, also known as “bio sonar”, is essentially a built-in sonar system that allows bats to navigate their surroundings more precisely, which aids in detecting, darting, and diving for insects.

Echolocation works by emitting ultrasonic sounds that bounce off objects and return as echoes. Bats then compare the outgoing ultrasonic pulses with the incoming echoes to create a detailed image in their brain of their exact surroundings.

Many people wrongly assume that bats are blind and have to use echolocation in order to see, when the truth is, bats see quite well, and simply rely on bio sonar for enhanced hunting and navigating. Sunglasses are a good example. We don’t need them to see when it’s sunny out, but when we wear them, we can see a lot better.

Diet and Habitat

Microbats are insectivores, which is actually good news for us. They are terrific pest control for summer mosquitos, flies, gnats, and more. Some species are even known to consume small fish, amphibians, birds, and even the blood of livestock. Although microbats are vital to our surrounding ecosystem and environment, they can sometimes find their way into our homes and businesses and create quite the mess. When microbats are not roosting (a species-specific posture of hanging upside down by their feet) in attics, crawl spaces, garages, walls, roofs, and more, they generally take shelter in hollowed trees, caves, log piles, and abandoned mines.

Behavior and Reproduction

Most bats are colonial, meaning they live in large colonies. They are not generally solitary mammals, although some species do live alone or with just a few other bats. It is common for colonies to have hundreds, or even thousands, of bats. Studies have shown that they are capable of forming and maintaining long-term relationships, and that many species use food sharing and mutual grooming to strengthen social bonds.

Late summer and early fall are the typical mating seasons for most species. After females finish mating, they store the male’s sperm until the following spring when they emerge from their hibernacula to find a new summer home where they will establish a nesting area to give birth to their young. These are referred to as “maternity” or “nursing” colonies. Bat babies, called “pups”, are usually born in May or June. Gestation periods last between 40 days and 60 days, and females usually give birth to just one or two pups that remain with them until the fall when the cycle of mating and hibernation repeats itself.

Common Virginia Bat Species:

◈ Virginia Big-Eared Bat (Corynorhinus townsendii virginianus)
◈ Indiana Bat (Myotis solidalis)
◈ Gray Bat (Myotis grisescens
◈ Rafinesque’s Big-Eared Bat (Also known as the Southeastern Big-eared Bat)
◈ Big Brown Bat (Eptesicus fuscus)
◈ Little Brown Bat (Myotis lucifugus)
◈ Silvered Haired Bat (Lasionycteris noctivagans)
◈ Hoary Bat (Lasiurus cinereus)
◈ Evening Bat (Nycticeius humeralis)
◈ Eastern Red Bat (Lasiurus borealis)
◈ Northern Long-Eared Bat (Myotis septentrionalis)

Additional Species of Bat in Virginia

Additional species of microbat in Virginia include the Eastern Small-footed Bat, Eastern Pipistrelle Bat, Seminole Bat, American Long-Eared Bat, Lump-Nosed Bat, Ozark Big-Eared Bat, Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat, and the Northern Myotis.

Are you dealing with nuisance bats on your property? Contact Virginia Bat Pros at 804-729-9097 for prompt and professional bat removal and control you can afford. We serve residential and commercial clients.

Our Most Frequently Asked Questions About Bat Removal

Posted on August 8, 2022 by virginia

You have questions about bat removal service and Virginia Bat Removal has the answers. Continue below to review some of our most frequently asked bat removal questions we hear from our customers and callers, including how to get started with free bat control advice or schedule an on-site inspection.

Get Rid of Bats Richmond Virginia 804-729-9097 — To Get Rid of Bats in Virginia, Call 804-729-9097 Today!

How to Animal Proof Your Home Against Bats

Posted on June 7, 2022 by virginia

Bats are terrible house guests. You do not want them anywhere near your residence, or even your property for that matter. So, if you live near wooded areas or bodies of water, or have actually seen bats flying around at dusk, you would be wise to animal-proof your home against bat intrusions and subsequent damages.

Continue below to learn the bat abatement facts that will get you started on protecting your home from nuisance bats.

Bats are Highly Destructive

Why are bats terrible house guests? In a few words, they are highly destructive creatures. When bats take up shelter inside your wall crevices, vents, attics, crawl spaces, gutters, or wall voids, you can guarantee one thing: they are going to damage the surrounding structures. Not only do bats chew through electrical wiring and tear down insulation, but they also soil and infect everything with excrement and parasitic organisms (i.e. lice, mites, fleas, ticks, etc.).

Aside from the bio-hazards they leave behind, bats are also structurally-damaging. Bat urine and droppings, also called guano, will accumulate in masses, and eventually seep through ceilings, drywall, floorboards, insulation, and more. This also generates a lingering odor in the living quarters of the home. They are also known to damage electrical wiring and built-in mechanical systems. Bats in the attic are common perpetrators of such damage.

Additional Risks of Having Bats in the House

Bats are also common carriers of several zooonic diseases and infections. These illnesses can be transmitted to both people and pets. Although not all bats have rabies, they are known as common carriers of the virus. As a deadly disease, it is important to stay on top of your pet’s Rabies vaccination every year. Aside from disease, bats can also pass on parasitic infections, like bat mites, fleas, and ticks.

Bat Prevention

Now to bat-proofing your home. There are several methods of bat control, which is a system of strategies that prevent bat intrusions and infestations. Such strategies might include using ultrasonic sonar devices, attic vent screens, chimney caps, draft guards, window screens, bat valves, structural sealing, which involves sealing up exterior holes and gaps that bats can use to gain access inside your house. It is strongly encouraged to consult with a licensed and insured bat removal and control company in Virginia for professional bat abatement and exclusion services.

Bat Infestation Season is Upon Us

The best time of year to ensure your house is animal-proofed and protected against nuisance bats is between April and August. This is when bats are birthing their young, which means they are fervently seeking shelter, especially in attics. Act now to prevent bat intrusions and infestations this summer.

Do you suspect that bats are living somewhere in or around your house or business? Contact Virginia Bat Pros at 804-729-9097 for affordable and prompt bat removal services in Virginia, including Richmond and all surrounding areas. We serve residential and commercial clients.

Can I Exterminate Bats in Virginia?

Posted on May 31, 2022 by virginia

It is natural to instinctively want to kill any rodent-like pest in your house, but when it comes to bats, you better think twice. Whether you find a lone bat in the house, multiple bats in the attic, or bats around the property, it is wise that you approach the situation lawfully, and humanely. Continue reading to learn why.

Licensed Bat Removal Richmond VA — It is illegal to harm, trap or kill bats in Virginia!

Virginia is Home to 3 Endangered Bat Species

There are many species of bats native to Virginia and its surrounding areas. Three of them are listed as federally-endangered or threatened, and therefore, federally-protected by law. Federally endangered bats in Virginia include the Indiana bat, Gray bat, and Virginia Big-Eared bat, which is our beloved state bat.

So, this means that it could be against the law to trap, harm, or kill a bat in your house. Decreed by the Endangered Species Act, the law says 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 species of wildlife that is listed as endangered or threatened.

The same goes for trapping and relocated a bat on the endangered or threatened species list. Here is what Virginia law says in those regards:

“It is illegal to transport, release, or relocate a bat anywhere other than the property it was caught on (4VAC15-30-50) and poison any animal (including a bat) other than rats and mice on your property (4VAC15-40-50).”
Virginia Administrative Code

So, as you can see, if the bat in your house or the bats in your attic are a particular species on the endangered or threatened species list, you could face both civil and criminal penalties. Even if they are not endangered or threatened, you should never attempt to remove bats yourself. Not only might it be illegal to do so, but you might feel really bad afterwards, whether they are threatened or not. You see, bats are ecologically-important.

Not only do they serve a vital purpose in our local ecosystems and environments, but they also contribute significantly to our local economies. Although they can become nuisances quite quickly in residential and metro areas, bats are vital parts of nature and must be protected at all costs, whether endangered or not. But this does not mean you have to live with bats. There is a perfectly legal and humane approach you can take to get rid of bats.

Professional Bat Removal and Bat-Proofing

The best approach to get rid of bats within the constraints of the law is to hire a licensed and insured bat removal and control company. Not only can they humanely extract bats using state-of-the-art equipment and technologies, but they have the proper resources and permits to relocate bats to a safe and far away habitat where they can live out the remaining years of their life.

A bat exclusion specialist can also help you animal-proof your property against future bat tampering and intrusions. Their strategies for bat control might include environment modifications, bat valve installations, sonar jamming devices, attic vent screens, exterior sealing, and more.

Not sure which critter control company to trust in the Richmond areas with your bat removal and animal-proofing needs? Contact Virginia Bat Pros at 804-729-9097 for prompt and professional bat removal and control you can afford. We serve residential and commercial clients.

4 Questions You Want to Ask Yourself About Bats in the House

Posted on May 20, 2022 by virginia

When a homeowner begins to suspect that there are bats in the house, a starting off point can sometimes be hard to find. Feelings of panic and dread can often cloud the path to resolution. If this sounds like you, continue below to learn the 4 questions you should be asking yourself about bats in the house to get you started off on the right track toward a bat-free home.

Get Rid of Bats in the House Richmond VA 804-729-9097 — Get Rid of Bats in the House in Richmond VA 804-729-9097

Got a Possible Bat Infestation? Ask Yourself These Questions:

Where are the Bats?

Bats like to hide in all sorts of spots within a dwelling, mostly the attic, but also in wall voids, garages, basements, and crawl spaces. You might even come across bats in the chimney or outside in your kid’s tree house! Bats want darkness and privacy, so focus your search on areas that mimic a cave or crevice-like environment. If you find bats, never attempt to intervene. Turn around, walk away, and contact a licensed Virginia bat removal contractor.

How Many Bats are in the House?

Once you locate bats in your house, you want to ask yourself just how many there are. Bats are not solitary critters, so where there’s one there’s usually a lot more. Bat colonies can range anywhere from a few dozen bats to several hundred or more. Bat colonies can get as large as hundreds of thousands or even millions of bats. Of course, you won’t find this many bats in your house! The average bat colony found in residential and commercial dwellings range between a handful to a few dozen. In worst case scenarios, there could be 100 or more bats. This usually happens in cases of long-term bat infestations, especially in abandoned or vacant buildings.

Have Bats Caused Any Property Damages?

Bat infestations are destructive in all scopes. Not only do they cause a wide range of structural damages to floorboards, ceilings, walls, insulation, and electrical wiring, but they also saturate their surroundings with massive accumulations of urine and guano. These droppings can seep through drywall and show as stains on walls and ceilings. They can also cause lingering odors in the home. Look for these signs to verify a bat infestation in your home.

What Should I Do Next?

The only solution to getting rid of bats in your house safely is to hire a licensed Virginia bat removal company. They have the proper licensing, insurance, training, and resources to safely extract bats and clean up after them. More established and reputable companies can also offer minor restorations such as attic insulation replacement.

Do you think you might have bats in the house or around your home? Contact Virginia Bat Pros at 804-729-9097 for prompt and professional bat removal and control you can afford. We serve residential and commercial clients.

Information About Bat Exclusion For Attics

Posted on November 29, 2021 by virginia

The attic is the most common location of a bat infestation. Even residences without attics have voids and spaces between the ceiling and roofline that can be accessed by roosting bats. If you suspect that you have bats in the attic in Virginia, then you will need to contact a local critter control company to schedule a bat inspection. If the inspection determines bats in the house or attic, then you will need to move forward with bat exclusion.

Continue reading to learn pertinent information about bat inspections, bats in the attic, and bat exclusion in Virginia, including who to trust for honest and dependable service.

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Bat Inspections are the First Step to Getting Rid of Bats

In order to determine your need for bat exclusion, you must first confirm that you actually have bats in the house. Bat inspection services are the first step of the process, but they must be implemented by licensed and well-equipped professionals in the wildlife removal and control industry.

It is critical to choose a dependable and experienced Virginia critter control company to ensure quality, safety, and efficacy. A critter control company will begin their bat inspection by examining the outside of your house, predominantly focusing on the roofing, siding, and gutter system.

You see, bats in Virginia are very tiny, and can squeeze through gaps and openings in the exterior of an edifice smaller than 3/8^th of an inch. Trained professionals can spot such vulnerabilities and examine them for signs of bats. Oily spots, bat guano, and tampered structural material are common indications of roosting bats.

Bat Exclusion Services

If it has been determined that you indeed have bats in the attic, or perhaps in the wall voids or crawl space areas of your home, the next step is to remove them. This is known as bat exclusion. Bat exclusion services involve structural modifications and installations that direct the bats out of the residence through one-way devices, and then disables them from returning through strategic obstruction.

Bat Control

Once all the bats have left their roost, the wildlife control professionals can finish the process by sealing up all the open and vulnerable areas of your home that bats can access. This will prevent future bat infestations. Sealing and structural repair are a critical part of the bat control process, and may include wire mesh screening, vent protectors, roof repair, siding repair, and more. Additional bat control strategies include automatic or motion-sense lighting, ultrasonic repelling devices, predator radio, and more.

In comparison to bat exclusion, bat removal more specifically describes live bat trapping and relocation.

Again, it is imperative to have a trained professional remove bats in the attic because they have the proper knowledge, experience, and equipment to do so safely, and humanely. Accordingly, you should never attempt to harm, kill, trap, or touch a bat under any circumstances.

Attic Restoration for Bat Damages

Bats cause a lot of damage to the environment they occupy. They also generate a highly unsanitary and health-hazardous environment with their urine and dropping accumulations. Since attics are warmer and therefore, have more moisture in the air, wood rot can be exponential, and odors can become intolerably putrid.

Floorboards and ceilings can become saturated and warp, crack, or stain. Insulation is often destroyed by bat roosting activities and urine. For these reasons, the last step of the bat exclusion process is an important one. A trained and reputable bat removal company can provide cleanup and attic restorations for bat damages. They may even be able to perform homeowners’ insurance claim work.

Would you like to learn how to protect your home from bat intrusions and damages? Contact Virginia Bat Pros at 804-729-9097 for bat removal and control in Richmond, Virginia. We serve both residential and commercial clients in all surrounding counties and locations.

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Did Your Cat Bring You a Dead Bat?

Posted on October 20, 2021 by virginia

One of the most common reasons Virginia wildlife control professionals get calls for bat removal is because the house cat has caught one. Cats love to chase and capture small animals, and bats are the perfect toy for them. If bats are near your home, and you have a domesticated cat, then chances are, your feline will eventually spot them and go for the kill. This is a very common occurrence among households with outdoor cats. Whether a cat kills, wounds, or simply traps a bat, it is helpful to know what to do.

Continue reading to learn what to do if your cat catches or kills a bat, including where to find emergency dead animal removal near you.

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Bat Removal is For Trained Professionals

Bat removal is not a task recommended for anyone without proper training, licensing, and equipment. Bats should never be harmed or killed under any circumstances, especially since they are highly beneficial parts of our surrounding Eco-system. So, if your cat drags a live bat into the house, do not attempt to harm, kill, or trap. Instead, refer to the safe and humane tips below while waiting for a licensed Virginia bat removal and control service to come and take away the bat safely.

What to Do if Your Cat Catches or Kills a Bat:

Lock up any domesticated pets so they cannot come into contact with the bat.

Keep children away and/or out of the room.

Call the cat to you so it leaves the bat by itself. If the cat refuses to leave the bat alone, try to get the cat back outside. Once outside, go inside and do not let the cat back in until the wildlife contractors arrive.

If the cat leaves the bat, grab a long handle or stick (a broom will do) and lightly tap the floor in front of the bat to see if it can still fly away.

If the bat can fly, keep all windows and doors open for a few hours to allow the bat to escape.

If the bat cannot fly, leave it alone and keep your distance. Wait outdoors for bat removal contractors to arrive.

If your cat has not been vaccinated for Rabies, call your vet to schedule an appointment and have them examined and vaccinated.

Do you need emergency bat removal or dead animal removal? Contact Virginia Bat Pros at 804-729-9097 for prompt and professional bat removal and control you can afford. We serve residential and commercial clients.