What Do Bat Droppings Look Like and How Dangerous are They?

Posted on November 28, 2022 by virginia

There are all sorts of things in this world that we don’t know about, and bat droppings are one of them. Most people have never seen bat droppings and, until now, you probably weren’t even aware that they existed. But believe it or not, bats do indeed produce droppings, and as it turns out, they can be pretty dangerous.

Continue reading to learn what you need to know about bat guano, plus how to get rid of nuisance bats with responsible bat control strategies.

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Bat Droppings are Hazardous Waste

Guano is the droppings of bats or other animals. It is often found in caves or on ledges where the animals roost. Guano is composed of urine, feces, and other organic matter. The appearance of guano can vary depending on the species of bat. It may be light or dark brown, black, or greenish. It is usually moist and has a strong ammonia odor.

To identify guano, look for the distinctive odor of ammonia and signs of staining near a roosting site. Look for small piles of droppings or larger accumulations on cave walls or ledges. If you see bats near these areas, there is a greater chance that guano is present. It is also important to remember to wear protective gear when entering an area with bat droppings, such as a face mask and gloves.

By being able to identify guano, people can take the proper precautions necessary to protect themselves from potential health risks. Guano can be dangerous if it is disturbed. The ammonia in the droppings can cause respiratory problems and skin irritation. It can also contain bacteria and parasites that could spread disease. Therefore, it is important to identify guano before entering an area with bat droppings.

Ecological Importance of Bats

Though guano can be dangerous, it is also a valuable source of fertilizer and other nutrients in certain parts of the world. Bats also play a vital role in pollination and seed dispersal, and they are important predators of insects. In fact, some bats can eat up to 1,000 mosquitoes in a single night! By controlling insect populations, bats help to protect crops and reduce the spread of disease. In addition, bats play an important role in cave ecosystems, serving as a food source for other animals such as snakes and bats. Consequently, bats play a vital role in maintaining global ecosystem health.

Bat Control in Virginia

As you can see, bats are an important part of our ecosystem, and they should be protected. However, when bats start living in close proximity to humans or businesses, it can become a nuisance. Bat guano can damage property and create health hazards, and the noise bats make can be disruptive. Thankfully, there are professional wildlife abatement services that can safely control bat populations using humane strategies.

If you’re experiencing a problem with bats, don’t hesitate to call on the experts for help. 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.

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.

Information About Nuisance Bats in Virginia

Posted on August 29, 2022 by virginia

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 like most things in life, where there are advantages, there are also disadvantages. If you are dealing with or concerned about nuisance bats around your property, it is essential to better understand them and their predictable behaviors.

Continue reading to learn important information about nuisance bats and bat control in Virginia.

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Common Signs of Nuisance Bats

Bats are common nuisances for home and business owners. They are attracted to dark, warm shelters to raise their young and hibernate through winter, including attics, crawl spaces, garages, sheds, roofs, and walls. They can enter through a crevice as tiny as 3/8^th inch, so it is easy for them to get inside a vulnerable structure. You can tell if you have bats in the house or around your property by looking for the signs. This includes hearing strange noises in the walls or attic at night, spotting animal droppings around windows or doors, smelling foul odors from attic or crawl space areas, and more.

Bat Damage Abatement and Repair

Bats can cause a long list of structural damages to a home, and the accumulation of their droppings can create an unsanitary, biohazardous environment. Furthermore, they pose a wide range of health risks since their guano can cause respiratory illnesses, and they may carry diseases and parasites like rabies, lice, mites, and more.

Fortunately, several professional wildlife control companies offer restoration and decontamination services for damages caused by bats. They will remove the bats from the space using safe and non-lethal methods, clean up the mess they made, sanitize the entire area, and restore any structural damages they caused from their stay.

True Facts About Bats and Rabies

Many people wrongly assume that all bats have rabies. The truth is that bats are common carriers of the rabies virus, but that does not mean all bats are carriers, nor does it mean that carriers are infected. If a bat is rabid, you will be able to tell by a blood test, which can only be done correctly by a state’s Department of Health. A rabid bat is not likely to be a threat since they generally seek out isolation to die. In fact, bats that are not sick are not likely to attack either. They are more afraid of us than we are of them. It is very rare for one to bite or attack unless provoked. This is why regular vaccinations are so vital for pets.

Bat Removal and Control

To properly eliminate a bat problem, bats must first be removed, and then specific precautions must be taken to ensure they cannot reenter your home or building. There are many things you can do yourself to reduce the level of wildlife activity around your property, such as removing all food and water sources, including bird baths, squirrel feeders, pet food, gardens, and more. You can also install automatic motion lighting or ultrasonic sound machines, as well as, spread predatory urine or other non-toxic repellents around your yard. Just use water, ground hot pepper, and menthol oil to make a homemade repellent.

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.

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!

What Do Bats Do in the Summer?

Posted on July 27, 2022 by virginia

Bats are one of the most interesting and amazing creatures on the planet. Among a long and fascinating list of facts, bats are the only mammalian species that is capable of true flight! Other species can soar or float on wind current, but bats can actually fly like the wind. Bats are also ecologically important, as they help pollinate and protect some of our most valuable crops, plus boost our local economies.

We simply don’t have the time to go over all the incredible benefits we reap from our local and global bat populations, but we can discuss what bats are up to this summer in Virginia!

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Bat Activity and Behavior in the Summer

Family Time

Bats are just like us when it comes to spending the summer months. They focus their attention on their families! Bats use most of their time in the summer to raise their babies, called pups, in the roosts they’ve secured earlier in the season. Bats typically like to roost in natural settings like caverns, caves, cliffsides, and hollowed tree cavities, as well as urban settings like attics, chimneys, and bell towers.

Female bats generally give birth to a single pup, so that baby bat gets mom’s tender, love, and care all to itself! Of course, this also increases the bat’s chance of survival, which is critical to local bat preservation. Because baby bats cannot fly within the first few months of their lives, mother bats must leave them in their roosts during the dusk and evening hours to hunt for food and gather water. Mother bats must stay strong so they can continue to provide nutritious milk for their pups. Remember, bats are mammals!

Hunting

Summer is the perfect season for insect activity, which is exactly what bats are looking for when they head out of their roosts at dusk to hunt. Bats are insectivores that like to eat insects like mosquitos, moths, gnats, and similar flying bugs. Here in Virginia, bat species have built-in sonar known as echolocation that allows them to dive and dart for prey with acute precision.

Bats eat a lot of insects each night. In fact, one single bat can eat more than its own body weight in insects and a single evening. This is like nature’s pest control, making our backyard barbecues a much more comfortable experience! A bat’s diet also contributes to protecting our local crops, which in turn boosts the economy.

Nuisance Activity

Although bats are an incredible advantage to our world, sometimes they can get a little too close for comfort. Bats can enter into nuisance territory when they decide to roost inside your home or business. As mentioned earlier, bats typically choose dark and private places to roost, such as chimneys, attics, wall voids, and even under porches and along roofing. These places are shady and cool, which keeps them comfortable in the summer climate.

But bat roosts can create a lot of structural damage which can be costly and invasive to repair. Furthermore, bats leave behind. What a mess that can pose several health and safety risks to your loved ones and pets. If you suspect that you have bats in the attic or other area of your property, contact a licensed and insured Virginia bat removal company. They can provide safe and humane bat removal services if they discover bat roosts upon inspection.

Are you looking for a trusted Virginia critter control company to help you solve your nuisance bat problems? Contact Virginia Bat Pros at 804-729-9097 for professional Richmond bat removal and attic restoration services for bat infestations. We serve residential and commercial properties.

Why You Need a Professional to Get Rid of Bats

Posted on June 16, 2022 by virginia

Nuisance bats can cause quite a disturbance. Not only are they capable of producing a massive amount of damage and destruction to homes and buildings, but they can also pose several health and safety risks to both people and pets. There are hundreds of reasons why bat extraction is reserved for trained professionals only, but the top three reasons involve risk, damage, and the law.

Continue reading to learn more about these top three reasons why bat removal is not something you can do yourself, and where to start when you need to get rid of bats.

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Licensing

The primary reason why it is important to hire a professional to provide wildlife extraction and abatement services has to do with the law. Most states make it illegal to possess, injure or kill a bat. Furthermore, bat habitats are also protected under Federal and State laws. A person must retain specialized state permits and licenses to work with wildlife, including trapping, transferring, and relocating.

It is important to choose certified professionals who adhere to all industry-accepted standards and best practices, as well as operate within all local, state, and federal laws that govern wildlife. They are trained to avoid non-target animals, and never use poisons, repellents, fatal devices, nor environmentally-damaging or toxic products.

Safety and Health

Bats are known carriers of several infectious diseases, viruses, and parasites. All of these contagions are transmissible to both humans and pets and can pose several safety risks. Professional bat abatement specialists retain the proper training, equipment, and resources to work with nuisance bats without harming themselves, the bat, nor your property. They can also identify signs of residual hazardous left over by bats, and suggest or implement solutions for decontamination, which brings us to the 3rd reasons why you should always trust a professional for bat removal.

Cleanup and Restoration

Bat infestations are not easy to clean up after. Not only can leave behind a large amount of structural damage, but they also create an unsanitary mess with their droppings. In fact, bat guano is known to produce mold spores that can cause a harmful respiratory illness in humans. Mold spores become airborne and get inhaled by occupants of the home or building, thus leading to respiratory complications, possibly an illness known as Histoplasmosis.

Dogs and cats are also susceptible. Bat damages render a property structurally unsafe and highly unhygienic, which is why they require professional intervention to replace and repair insulation, floorboards, roofing, shingles, siding, electrical wiring, and more. A licensed Virginia bat removal company generally offers cleanup and restoration service, and might even be able to provide homeowners’ insurance claim work.

Go With a Pro to Get Rid of Bats

For these reasons and more, it is vital to get rid of bats as soon as you are aware they are a problem, and even more important to entrust the job to a licensed professional. Choose a bat removal company in Virginia that has the credentials to prove they are dependable and skilled. Look for licenses, experience, and past work.

Do you think you have a nuisance bat problem in or around your house? Contact Virginia Bat Pros at 804-729-9097 for comprehensive bat removal and control services in Richmond and all surrounding Virginia areas, including Fairfax County, Norfolk, and Manassas. We serve residential and commercial clients.

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.