Bats are incredible mammals capable of true flight, but they are also incredibly destructive, dirty, and potentially harmful. This is the time of year when most bat infestations begin because this is the time of year when bats are looking for a place to roost, or nest. Once bats infest an area, the destruction instantly begins with their droppings and urine, and continues without interruption with many other types of structural damage to their surroundings.

If you suspect that you might have a bat infestation or a bat problem around your home, you might want to review some helpful tips for winter bat problems. Continue below to do just that!

Why Bat Removal and Control is Important

Most bats begin their hibernation period in late October, remaining dormant until spring. During this time, the most important priority for bats is safety. For this reason, they target dark, cozy spots for winter roosting. One of the most common places for bats to roost in the winter are attics of homes and buildings. Bats can enter into these areas through the tiniest of crevice, including roof shingles, underlayment, soffits, attic vents, chimneys, and more. If bats do access these areas, they will make their nests and settle in for the season, eager to wake and mate in the spring.

All of this is bad news for a property owner because bats can cause an extreme amount of structural damage. In addition to costly and invasive repairs, a property must also be decontaminated and sanitized to eliminate urine, droppings, parasites, disease, and more. It is vital that you have your home or commercial property inspected at least once per year to confirm and remediate the presence of wildlife infestations. Read our blog, “Do You Have Bats in the Attic?” to learn which signs to keep an eye out for.

Common Areas Bats Choose for Their Roosts

When bats get inside a home or building, they will look for the darkest, most secluded space to make their own. Common areas where bats are found roosting in the winter include attics, sheds, garages, barns, rafters, roofs, underneath siding, crawl spaces, and within wall voids. Although it is rare, bats are sometimes found roosting in basements as well. The average bat in the Virginia region can squeeze through an opening as tiny as the width of a nickel! They can get through crumbling mortar, dry rotting wood, attic vents, exterior cracks, and more.

So, it is crucial that your property is inspected for vulnerabilities like gaps and cracks in order to prevent bat infestations. If you live near bedrock, forests, woods, or a moderate body of water, you are more at risk of experiencing winter bat problems. During your annual or bi-annual inspection performed by a local Virginia bat removal company, be sure to opt for bat-proofing and preventative maintenance services to keep bats out.

Virginia Bat Removal and Control Near You

Call Virginia Bat Pros at 804-729-9097 when you need prompt and professional Virginia bat removal and control you can afford. We offer 24 hour bat removal, bat control, and even restoration and repair services for damages caused by bats. We serve all of Virginia, including Richmond, Petersburg, Short Pump, Lynchburg, Charlottesville, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Newport News, Virginia Beach, and all of their surrounding areas.