4 Areas of a Home You Might Find a Bat

Posted on November 5, 2020 by virginia

Although bats have ecological value, we do not one them roosting around our properties. They can cause a range of structural damages inside and outside, and pose a long list of health and safety hazards. For these reasons and more, it is in your best interest to resolve a nuisance about problem before it can get worse. One of the best ways to protect your home from nuisance bad infestations is to implement routine inspections of your property.

Start with some of the more common areas bats like to hide, including these 4 spots below.

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Top Roosting Spots for Bats

Check these areas of your home to see if there are any bats roosting inside!

❶ Attic

Bats love the dark warm climate of an attic space, which is why you typically find colonies roosting here. Attics are one of the first places professional bat abatement specialists check when they are implementing a property inspection for bat activity. After the sun sets, the air currents come in through the vents, cooling the attic down. Bats are sensitive to such air currents, so they awaken them every evening when it is time to go hunt for insects. The cycle continues until an extraction is performed.

❷ Crawl Space

Crawl spaces are another common place to find roosting bats, and for much of the same reasons you find them in attics. Crawl spaces are dark and warm, making for a cozy spot to rest during the day. They are also accessible through gaps and openings high in the house, or through conduits and utility vents.

❸ Chimney

Chimneys are very common spot for bats to roost, particularly because they are so easy to access. They can also crawl down from the fireplace through a wall, crack, or gap. The most common signs for bats and chimneys are seeing accumulations of guano (bat droppings) around the structure.

❹ Roof

Bats are also known to choose rooftops for roosting. They particularly target the corners of a roof, near the vents in the upper siding or the roofing and louvers. Bats will also roost underneath shingles, especially in tile roofing systems. This can cause all sorts of damage, including missing shingles, cracks, water leaks, and more.

What To Do if You Find a Bat

If you discover bats living in or around your property, it is important to immediately separate yourself and your loved ones (including cats and dogs) from the vicinity of their roosting area. Under no circumstance should you ever attempt to touch or trap a wild bat. Your next step is to contact a licensed Virginia bat removal company for emergency bat extraction services. Whether day or night, skilled professionals have the experience and resources necessary to safely remove bats from any location, at any time.

Where to Find Prompt and Professional Bat Removal in Virginia

Call Virginia Bat Pros at 804-729-9097 for safe and humane bat removal and control assistance in Old Dominion. We serve all of Virginia with 24 hour bat removal, as well as, numerous residential and commercial bat exclusion services, such as bat cleanup and restorations for bat damages. We even provide insurance work! Contact us today for a free estimate.

Virginia Bat Removal and Control 804-729-9097

What to Do About Your Problems With Nuisance Bats

Posted on October 12, 2020 by virginia

Bats are an important part of our world. They pollinate our landscapes, aid farmer in pest control, provide us with natural fertilizers, and even help contribute to our local economies. But there is also a downside to our local bat populations. You see, bats can be quite the nuisance. Not only do they cause structural damages, they are also known carriers of several transmissible diseases; diseases that can be contracted by both humans and pets! For these reasons and more, it is wise to step in early on to mitigate or abate a nuisance bat problem, before the damages, and associated costs to repair those damages, add up.

Continue reading to learn exactly what you should do about your issues with nuisance bat activity around your house.

Virginia Bat Control Services 804-729-9097

Inspect Your Home for Signs of Bats

Your first step to putting a stop to nuisance bat activity on and around your property is to inspect your property. This assessment will give you a current idea of whether or not bats have gained access to inner parts of your home, and have built roosts in the attic or wall voids. A common sign of localized bat activity are guano droppings, usually around windowsills, door frames, and roof edges. Additional signs include oil stains or grease marks on siding or entry holes, yellow or brown stains on ceilings or walls (this is caused by urine and dropping accumulation from somewhere inside the house), noises of chirping or fluttering within walls or in the attic, and lingering odors that were not there before.

Contact a Local Bat Control Company

Once you have assessed the condition and surrounding environment of your home, you have a good idea of where the bats are localizing at, and how much their presence has affected the structural integrity of your house and property edifices. With this information handy, your next step is to contact a Virginia Bat Removal and Control Company that has a long-standing reputation for excellence in their field. With them on the line, schedule a time for them to come out and perform a comprehensive property inspection. They have advanced technologies and resources to take a bat infestation and activity assessment many steps further, and render a professional evaluation and diagnosis.

Move Forward With Bat Control Services

Once the professional bat control specialists have completed their assessment, they will have all the information they need to give you a professional recommendation to get rid of nuisance bats. They will start by educating you about environmental modifications, which means you may need to add or remove certain features in your property. This might include log piles, dead trees, composting, standing water, and similar features that attract bats. Following environment changes, they will likely recommend a mitigation plan to prevent bats from being able to enter your house. If you have bats around, there is a risk of bat infestations. They will suggest certain structural enhancements or repairs, such as filling in gaps and holes in the exterior of your home.

Your Leading Virginia Bat Removal and Control Company

Call Virginia Bat Pros at 804-729-9097 for safe and humane bat removal and control at a fair price. Regardless of the size or scope of your bat abatement and cleanup needs, we have the experience and resources necessary to remedy your bat problem in no time at all. Our professionals are focused on safe and effective results, but more importantly, our client’s complete satisfaction. Contact us anytime for free estimates, advice, and assistance.

Top 3 Signs That Suggest You Have Bats in Your House

Posted on September 17, 2020 by virginia

You should never settle for living with bats in the house. Bats are highly destructive, and can also pose a wide range of health and safety risks. For these reasons and more, it is vital to act fast and contact a trusted Virginia bat removal company if you suspect bats are living with you. Continue reading to learn the top three signs that suggest you might have bats in the house.

Places Bat Tend to Hide in a House

The first thing you need to know before looking for signs of bats in the house is where they are likely to roost. “Roost” is a term to describe the place where bats settle or gather for rest or sleep. Typically, attics are the most common place to find a bat infestation; however, other common areas include sheds, garages, wall voids, underneath roof shingles, inside chimney flashings, and more. The main problem with a bat infestation is that bats are not solitary mammals; they congregate and live in colonies, which often times, are quite large. As soon as you see the signs of bat activity, it is crucial to take immediate action by calling a licensed bat abatement company for professional and safe assistance.

Here is What to Look For:

❶ Real Bats

The most common sign of bats in the house is the most obvious sign: plainly seeing bats with your own eyes. If you see bats flying around your house at dusk hours or later in the evening, you can safely assume that your home could be a potential target for bat damages. Keep an eye out on where the bats are flying to and from, and take notice of them perching on areas of your home, like door frames and gutters. These are common places to see bats hanging out while on the hunt for insects. Taking these observations can also help point your licensed bat removal specialist in the right direction to locate their entry and exit points in your house.

❷ Bat Droppings (Guano)

The second most common and apparent sign of localized bat activity around your house is bat guano. Bat guano is bat droppings, namely, their feces. However, the indications that appear as a result of bat guano can also be attributed to their urine. If you see piles of bat guano around window ledges, door frames, attic areas, or anywhere else in or around your home, it is a sure indication that bats are living with you. Although often confused with mouse droppings, you can tell guano apart because it will contain tiny pieces of undigested insect parts, and it is softer and larger. You may not see the actual bat guano, but there are signs that will indicate it may be present, such as yellow or black stained walls and ceilings, musty odors, and pest infestations.

❸ Entry/Exit Holes or Crevices

The third most common sign that bats are in your house are visible entry and exit points. Do not worry if you cannot locate these yourself. Professional bat removal and control specialists retain the proper training, experience, and technologies to accurately locate and identify bat entry and exit points. Trust them for a comprehensive property inspection to confirm where bats are entering your house. They will seal these openings up so that bats can no longer re-enter once they leave to hunt insects for the night.

A Trusted Virginia Bat Removal Company That Gets Rid of Bats in the House

Call Virginia Bat Pros at 804-729-9097 for safe and humane Virginian bat removal and control assistance in Old Dominion. We serve all of Virginia and its surrounding areas. We offer 24 hour bat removal, as well as, numerous residential and commercial bat exclusion services, such as bat cleanup and restorations for bat damages. We even provide insurance work! Contact us today for a free estimate.

How to Get Started With Professional Bat Removal Service

Posted on August 26, 2020 by virginia

Bats are amazing mammals, but they can also be a messy, costly, and dangerous nuisance if they come too close. If you discover or suspect a bat infestation within your home or property, it is strongly encouraged to act fact and contact a local wildlife abatement company for professional bat removal and cleanup services.

Continue below to learn exactly which steps to take to get started with professional bat removal service, and transform your property back to its original condition!

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How to Get Rid of a Bat

✨ Step One: Close Off the Area

If you discover a bat colony in your attic or other area of your home, you do not need to take any extra precautions to protect yourself and your loved ones from exposure other than closing off the room and keeping your distance until professional help arrives.

But, if you have a sole bat inside the living quarters of the home, like on a wall or flying around the basement, you need to immediately separate yourself, your family, and your pets from the area. From there, open a window or door in the vicinity, and close off all others, to encourage the bat to fly out. Remain in a safe, closed off area away from the bat until help arrives.

✨ Step Two: Contact a Licensed Bat Control Company in Virginia

Look for a licensed and insured bat removal and control company in Virginia who can provide safe and humane service. See our blog, “State Laws Surrounding Wild Bats” to learn what you need to know about hiring a bat abatement company for bat removal services.

✨ Step Three: Request and Schedule an On-Site Assessment

Your chosen bat removal service will arrive fully-equipped with the latest technologies and state-of-the-art equipment to implement a comprehensive, full-property inspection. Once they locate the bats, they will make a detailed, written report on which services you will need to restore your property back to a safe and sanitary condition.

Who to Call for Professional Bat Removal 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.

Learn the Primary Scientific Classifications for Bats

Posted on May 8, 2020 by virginia

Although many people fear them, bats are unusual and incredible creatures, as well as the second largest order of mammals. They play a vital role in our Eco-system, and even help control nuisance insect populations in the spring and summer. Their significant contribution to our environment means they deserve a much better reputation. Perhaps by learning some interesting facts and information about bats, you too can change your opinion and fear them no more.

Continue reading to learn some basic facts about bats, including their collective taxonomy and scientific classifications.

Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS)

The Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS) is an American partnership of federal agencies intended to provide steady, dependable information on the categorization and nomenclature of biological species. In terms of bats, they have categorized the taxonomy of mega and microbats as follows:

Kingdom = Animalia

Phylum = Chordata

Subphylum = Vertebrata

Class = Mammalia

Order = Chiroptera

Suborder = Megachiroptera (Megabats) & Microchiroptera (Microbats)

Family = There are a total of 16 families in the suborder Microchiroptera. In the Megachiroptera, there is only one family called the Pteropodidae, also known as flying foxes and Old World fruit bats.

Genera = There are a total of 187 bat genera’s.

Species = There are at least 950 known bat species, but there are likely as many as 1,200 species or more.

More Fun Bat Facts!

Bats are mammals. What’s even more shocking is that bats are the only mammals in the world that are capable of true flight. Other mammals, like the flying squirrel, have the ability to leap, jump, soar, or float over great distances, but bats are the only ones who can actually take and maintain flight just like a bird.

Microbats use echolocation to help hunt their prey and navigate around in the dark; however, they are not blind. In fact, microbats can see quite well (and hear quite well), but they use their bio-sonar abilities to navigate their course, as well as, dart and dash for prey at a more precise rate.

Megabats, or fruit bats, do not have Echolocating abilities. They have big eyes and great vision, so they have no need for echolocation. To learn more about bats, see our blog, “5 Educational Facts About Bats” and really get to know this incredible mammal!

How to Safely and Quickly Stop a Nuisance Bat Problem in Virginia

Did You Find a Bat Infestation During Your Annual Spring Cleaning?

Posted on April 17, 2020 by virginia

Spring cleaning is a tradition for many families, and right now, many of us have plenty of time on our hands to get it all done. But beware, it is very common to come across some scary stuff; stuff that has been piling up for over a year. One such scary spring cleaning discovery happens to be quite common: bat infestations!

That’s right; bats often find shelter in our attics, garages, and patios, and spend all winter long keeping cozy and reproducing. Come spring, they are often discovered since many people begin to get their outdoor supplies and equipment ready for the warmer seasons ahead. This is bad news for homeowners since bats are dirty, contagious, and destructive.

If you find a bat infestation in your house after a spring cleaning, continue below to learn exactly what you need to do.

Bat in the House

If you have a bat inside the house, whether inside a wall void or flying around the kitchen, your first priority is to separate people and pets from the area the bat is occupying. Once all people and pets are secluded in a room with shut doors and windows, proceed to open all windows and doors in the area closest to the bat. If the bat does not fly out on its own, use a broom with a long handle to gently tap the surface of the wall next to the bat and encourage it to fly out. If the bat still does not move, use a shoe box and thick piece of paper to capture the bat. Then you can transfer the bat outside to an area where it can take flight, at least 3 feet off the ground.

Bats in the Attic

Bats in the attic are not something you want to take on. If you find bats in the attic, your first step is to contact a local Virginia bat abatement company for emergency bat removal service. The longer a bat infestation remains, the worse the damages will be, which results from their nesting habits, as well as their smelly urine and droppings. Needless to say, the more damages, the costlier the repairs. Not only will bats in the attic need to be removed, your attic space will require a certain degree of restoration, such as guano cleanup, sanitizing, parasite fumigation, insulation replacement, and more.

Bat in the Garage

Finding a bat in the garage, whether attached or not, is an easier dilemma to deal with. All you have to do is leave the garage door open for as long as you can. Obviously, you might not want to leave your garage door overnight, or when you are away from home. Eventually, the bat will fly out, but not until nighttime, when they are most active. If you find bats roosting in an outdoor barn or shed, use the same method to encourage them to fly out. Just be sure to shut the door when you see they are gone!

Bats Under the Porch

If you find a bat infestation underneath your porch or deck, your first step is to close off the access to the patio from children and pets. Once the area is secure, you will need to contact a local bat removal company for bat removal and control service. Not only must the bats be removed, certain measures must be taken to ensure they cannot access your porch voids in the future. This requires professional materials like heavy gauge galvanized steel mesh screening, industrial caulking, high-density polyurethane foam, and more.

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The Difference Between the Big Brown Bat and Little Brown Bat

Posted on March 24, 2020 by virginia

Although they may look a lot alike, and they are both part of the Vespertilionidae family, the Big Brown bat and the Little Brown bat are two completely separate species in a different genus. When you scroll down the scientific classification of both species, they have the same Kingdom (Animalia), Phylum (Chordata), Class (Mammalia), Order (Chiroptera), and even Family (Vespertilionidae). But once you reach the genus, they separate.

Continue reading to learn where and some facts that make them unique in their own right!

The Big Brown Bat (Eptesicus fuscus)

The Big Brown bat (Eptesicus fuscus) is part of the Eptesicus genus and fucus species. Adults have an average wingspan of 13 to 16 inches, and a body length of 3 1/2 to 5 1/2 inches. They are a little bigger as you can see! The rest of their biology and behaviors are the same, with just slight differences.

Their fur is the same as Little Brown bats, ranging in colors from dark browns to reddish hues and lighter-colored bellies. Gestation periods and breeding are the same for both species, as well. Females carry their young for 60 days, before giving birth to a single bat pup each year.

Mating season usually begins in early fall, while birthing season starts in May and continues through June. After 14 days in their mother’s care, bat pups are weaned from milk and taught to fly and hunt for insects. In contrast to Little Brown bats, Big Brown bats tend to roost in smaller colonies, ranging from as little as 20 bats, up to 500 or more.

The Little Brown Bat (Myotis lucifugus)

Little Brown bats are part of the Myotis genus and lucifugus species. Adults have an average wingspan of 9 to 11 inches, and a body length of 2 1/2 to 4 inches. They are small! Their fur ranges in colors of dark browns to reddish browns, with lighter-colored, pale tan bellies. Females carry their young for 60 days, before giving birth to a single bat pup each year.

Mating season usually begins in early fall, while birthing season starts in May and continues through July. After 14 days in their mother’s care, bat pups are weaned from milk and taught to fly and hunt for insects. Little Brown bats, like all bats, are nocturnal, which means they are active from dusk until dawn. Generally, this bat species remains in large numbers, with colonies reaching hundreds or even thousands of bats in some regions.

Typically, Little Brown bats roost in hollowed tree cavities, abandoned mines, caves, log piles, and similar private areas. They are a hibernating species, so in winter, they either migrate to winter roosts, or hibernate in caves, rock crevices, storm sewers, and if they can access them, our attics! As insectivores, Little Brown bats hunt for mosquitoes, gnats, moths, crane flies, beetles, mayflies, and other small flying insects. A single bat can consume more than 1,000 flying bugs in just one night!

Where to Get Humane Virginia Bat Control Near You

Why Bats are Scratching Around Inside Your Walls

Posted on March 9, 2020 by virginia

We mention this all the time, but we cannot mention it enough: Virginian bats are very tiny and can squeeze through an opening as little as 3/8^th of an inch! So, what does this mean for your home? It means that bats can easily access your wall voids to gain access to other parts of the home, such as the attic, if certain precautions are not taken before prime bat infestation season. If you hear scratching and squeaking noises coming from the inside of your walls, you can safely assume it is bats.

Want to know why they are so noisy? Continue below to learn what bats are doing inside those walls of yours, and what you can do to get rid of them for good!

Virginia Bat Removal and Control 804-729-9097

They’re Looking for a Comfortable Temperature

Just like us, bats want a comfy and cozy environment to live in. They do not want a space that is too hot nor too cold. For this reason, it is common behavior for bats to rise and lower within the walls in search of a comfier climate. The noise you are hearing is the resulting scuffling of bats moving around.

They are Lost and Disoriented

Within a wall void, there is very little light, and everything looks the same above and below. For this reason, bats within walls can become disoriented, and as a result, lost from the rest of their colony. This causes a lot of noise since they are working hard to move about and find the location of their peers.

They are Baby Bats

Baby bats are generally born between February and May, so if your walls are making a lot of noise during this time, it could them. Before pups learn to fly, they crawl and wiggle around just like human babies do. This crease noise, but so does their yearning for mothers’ milk.

They are Just Interacting

When you hear bats in your walls making noises, it could just be them interacting and being bats. Bats are nocturnal, so they are active between the hours of dusk and dawn. If you are hearing these noises overnight, you can chalk it up to bat conversation.

How to Get Rid of Bats in Virginia

Call Virginia Bat Pros at 804-729-9097 for safe and humane bat removal and control assistance. We serve all of Virginia and its surrounding areas. We offer 24 hour bat removal, as well as, numerous residential and commercial bat exclusion services, such as bat cleanup and restorations for bat damages. We even provide insurance work! Contact us today for a free estimate.

Do You Have Bats in the Attic?

Posted on January 11, 2018 by virginia

Got Bats in the Attic? Call 804-729-9097

Bat infestations are commonly discovered in residential attic spaces. And although it is an advantage to have a minimal amount of bat activity near your property, it is never a good situation to have them inside your home. Bats can cause an incredible amount of structural damage, and worse, pose several health and safety risks to both people and pets. If you find a bat colony living in your attic, the most important thing to do is act fast.

The longer you wait to have a bat infestation remedied, the more damage will occur, which in turn increases time and money spent fixing the problem. Furthermore, getting rid of bats in the attic is only the first step. After bats are excluded, the mess they left behind must be cleaned, disinfected, and repaired. Continue reading to learn more about bats in the attic, and what to do if you find one or more in your home.

Signs of a Bat Infestation

Unless by accident or coincidence, homeowners usually do not discover a bat infestation in their attics until the signs become more evident. Bats can actually go undetected for long periods of time when they are in attics since these areas are generally ignored or avoided. This is not good because bats will cause more damage the longer they are present. For this reason, it is wise to learn the signs of a bat infestation, especially if you live near wooded lots or bodies of water. These regions have higher wildlife activity compared to open or new construction residential developments.

The most common signs of a bat infestation include visible bat droppings (on window ledges, roof shingles, or around openings), strange bird-like sounds in the walls or ceiling, strange odors coming from the attic, yellowish-brown stains on walls or ceilings, oily stains around gaps or openings in roof or siding, and a lone bat in the house (usually where there’s one, there’s more).

What Happens When Bats are in the Attic:

❶ A licensed Virginia bat removal and control company needs to be contacted immediately. Choose a company that provides 24 hour emergency bat removal and control service.

❷ Your bat removal specialists will extract the bats using professional exclusion methods. They should also use non-lethal, industry-accepted methods and best practices for bat extraction.

❸ Next, your bat removal specialists will implement the necessary proofing and exclusion maintenance needed to seal up your home and prevent future invasion.

❹ Last, and upon your request, they will provide bat cleanup and repair service to eliminate hygienic hazards and restore your attic back to a safe and functional condition.

Virginia Bat Removal and Control

Virginia Bat Removal and Control 804-729-9097

Call Virginia Bat Pros at 804-729-9097 if you suspect that you have bats in the attic. Our licensed and insured bat removal specialists are focused on safe and effective results, but more importantly, our client’s complete satisfaction. We serve all of Virginia, including Richmond, Petersburg, Short Pump, Lynchburg, Charlottesville, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Newport News, Virginia Beach, and all of their surrounding areas with bat removal, bat control, bat cleanup and restoration, 24 hour emergency service, and much more!