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

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.

Get Rid of Bats in the Attic Richmond Virginia 804-729-9097
Get Rid of Bats in the Attic Richmond Virginia 804-729-9097

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.

Related Posts:

7 Things You Should Never Do If You Have Bats
How Did Bats Get in the Attic?
If I See a Bat During the Day, Does it Have Rabies?

How to Detect a Bat Infestation in Your House

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.

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

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.

Related Posts:

How to Animal Proof Your Home Against Bats
What To Do If You Have Bats in the Chimney
What is a Bat Valve and How Does it Prevent Bat Infestations?

What is a Microbat?

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.

Richmond Bat Trappers 804-729-9097
Richmond Bat Trappers 804-729-9097

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.

Related Blogs:

What You Need to Know About the Department of Health and Bats
The Difference Between a Wild Bat and a Nuisance Bat
Common Misunderstandings About Bats

Our Most Frequently Asked Questions About Bat Removal

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!

Top Bat Removal Questions We Get the Most

Do I Have Bats?

If you suspect that bats may be in or around your property, there are common signs to look for. Bats make a lot of noise, sounds inside walls like squeaking, shuffling, chattering, or chirping, your suspicions could be right. If you see oily or dirty spots on the outside of your house, this is a common indication that bats are using that spot as an entry point to get inside your home. Bats fur leaves dark marks behind every time they come in and out of your house.

Another common sign of bats in the house is a lingering smell. After some time, the accumulation of bat guano (droppings) and urine will saturate floorboards and drywall, eventually seeping through to the living quarters of the home and generating a lingering odor. Bat droppings are another prime indication of nearby bat activity.

Guano looks similar to rodent droppings. If you have a bat intrusion, you will likely see an accumulation of bat guano around walls and windowsills, as well as roofs and gutters. Wherever the bats are entering and exiting your home, there will probably be a pile up of droppings as concrete evidence.

How Much Does Bat Removal Service Cost?

Richmond bat removal service fees are comparable to getting your HVAC unit serviced or repaired. Depending on the complexity and scope of the job, bat removal costs can range anywhere from $75 up to thousands of dollars or more. Bats leave behind big messes, and if an infestation goes undetected for a long period of time, the damages can require costly and invasive renovations. This situation can increase the total cost for bat removal service.

Does My Insurance Cover Bat Removal Service?

Because the cost for about removal service can add up, many people want to know if their insurance will cover it all. The answer depends on your particular homeowners’ insurance policy. Fortunately, most insurance policies do provide some degree of coverage for damages caused by bats. It is important to understand that your policy might not cover the cost about removal and remediation services fully. It really depends on your particular policy limits and deductible, plus additional factors like how long the infestation existed before discovery and intervention. For those with “stated coverage” policies, bat damages are not usually covered.

Do I Need to Get a Rabies Shot?

After we have removed bats from a client’s home or business, they often ask if they now require rabies shots or vaccines. This is an understandable concern considering the fact that bats are known carriers of the rabies virus, which is fatal once contracted. Postexposure rabies shots are only required for those who have actually been exposed to a bat bite, scratch, or mucous membrane exchange. Specifically, the CDC suggests seeking out Rabies postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) after being potentially scratched or bitten by a bat or have had mucous membranes exposure to a bat. Rabies can be transferred via saliva and similar mucous membranes.

Can I Keep a Bat as a Pet?

It is a common question we get about retrieving a bat in the house or on the property. People want to know if they can keep the bat as a pet, especially if it’s a baby. Baby bats are cute, as most baby animals are! But the reality is that keeping a bat as a pet is inhumane. Unfortunately, it is never recommended to keep a bat as a pet, in fact it could be against state and federal law. Many bat species in Indiana are federally protected by the Endangered Species Act. Regardless of conservation status, no bat should be kept as a pet. Would you like to be held captive in a cave for the rest of your life? Or would you prefer to be free to explore the open air and natural environment around you? That’s how a bat would feel if you kept it as a pet!

Where Do Bats Go After Removal?

After our Richmond Virginia bat removal technicians extract bats from a property, we transfer bats to one of two locations: either a testing center to have the bat tested for rabies, or to a local rehabilitation sanctuary where they can live out the remainder of their lives in their natural habitat, far from residential and metropolitan areas.

How Do I Get a Bat Out of My House?

Never attempt to touch, trap, harm, or kill a bat in the house or on your property. Instead, contact Virginia Bat Pros at 804-729-9097 for prompt and professional bat removal and control services at the right price. We serve all of Virginia, including Roanoke, Midlothian, Fredericksburg, Glen Allen, and more.

Related Posts:

Can I Exterminate Bats in Virginia?
Why You Need a Professional to Get Rid of Bats
How Do-It-Yourself Bat Removal Can Lead to a 50 Thousand Dollar Fine

How Do-It-Yourself Bat Removal Can Lead to a 50 Thousand Dollar Fine

If you have a nuisance bat problem in or around your house, be wise and hire a professional for licensed bat removal service. If you attempt to get rid of bats on your own, you may be unknowingly subjecting yourself to some very serious consequences. Fifty thousand of them to be exact. Not only can tampering with the wrong species of bat land you in the civil hotseat, but it might also force you to pay a fine higher than your annual income.

Continue reading to learn how DIY bat removal can lead to a $50,000 fine, plus what you should do instead if you have bats on your property.

Professional Bat Removal Richmond Virginia 804-729-9097
Professional Bat Removal Richmond Virginia 804-729-9097

Federal Laws Regarding Endangered and Threatened Bats

In general, it is illegal to capture a bat and let it go in the wild somewhere else. It is also illegal to poison any animal on residential property other than rats and mice. Aside from these two important critter laws, there are additional legal matters regarding threatened and engendered species, which are both Federally-protected. Here in Virginia, we are home to 15 species of bat, but three are listed as threatened or endangered: the Gray bat, Indiana bat, and Virginia Big-Eared bat.

Most bats in Virginia look alike, so being able to identify and distinguish one species from the next is not something the average homeowner can do. If you were to unknowingly touch, harm, trap, capture, or kill one of these three species of endangered or threatened bat species, you could face a lot of legal trouble: namely, fines.

Fines for Tampering With an Endangered or Threatened Bat

The Endangered Species Act sets forth specific regulations and limitations that protect endangered or threatened animals. It strictly prohibits anyone from attempting to “harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, collect, or attempt to engage in any such conduct” with any endangered or threatened species of wildlife, including bats. Violating the laws governed by the Endangered Species Act will result in a misdemeanor or felony charge.

Most violations of the Endangered Species Act are charged as Class A Misdemeanors, which come with a mandatory $2,500 fine, plus up to one year in county jail. Felony violations involving a threatened species of bat will result in a fine of $25,000 and possibly up to 6 months in prison. Felony violations involving an endangered bat species will result in a fine of $50,000 and possibly up to 6 months in federal prison.

Virginia State Laws for Bats

There are important state laws surrounding wild bats you should be aware of. According to the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF), in Virginia, it is illegal to, “transport, release, or relocate a bat anywhere other than the property it was caught on,” as well as, “poison any animal (including bat) other than rats and mice on your property.” Furthermore, it is a federal offense to, “harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect, or to attempt to engage in any such conduct” any endangered or threatened species.”

If you believe you might be dealing with an endangered or threatened bat species, contact the Virginia game official or wildlife warden in your area. You may also contact a licensed and insured bat removal and control company for qualified assistance.

Are you trying to manage a nuisance bat problem in or around your property? Contact Virginia Bat Pros at 804-729-9097 for licensed and insured bat removal and control you can afford. We serve residential and commercial clients.

Related Posts:

7 Things You Should Never Do If You Have Bats
What You Need to Know About the Department of Health and Bats
Federally Endangered Species of Bat in Virginia

What To Do If You Have Bats in the Chimney

Bats in Virginia are really small, like “they can squeeze through a gap as slight as 3/8ths of an inch” small. This is exactly how they get inside of Virginian homes and buildings. Even the smallest, most insignificant opening can be a wide open door for a bat looking to make a new roost. Bats are generally found infesting attics and crawl spaces, but it is very common to discover them living inside chimneys too. If you suspect that you have bats in the chimney in your Virginia home or business, it is important that you act fast.

Continue below to learn exactly what you need to do to get rid of bats in the chimney!

Remove Bats in the Chimney Richmond Virginia 804-729-9097
Remove Bats in the Chimney Richmond Virginia 804-729-9097

Why You Have Bats in Your Chimney

Why did a colony of bats choose to roost inside your chimney? Well, the flu was open, the space was available, it provides a dark, cozy shelter that protects them from predators, and it is very easy to get in and out of. Basically, your chimney is prime real estate for bats. Even if your chimney is equipped with a cap or the flu is closed, bats can still find a way in, especially if the cap is damaged or warped, or the flu is cracked just slightly.

Never Light a Fire!

Before delving into the process of getting rid of bats in a chimney, there is something you need to understand. It is critical that you DO NOT START A FIRE IN YOUR FIREPLACE to smoke bats out of the chimney. Not only is this incredibly inhumane, being as though local bat populations are extremely beneficial for our environment and economy, but it is also against the law to harm wildlife, especially bats, which are a protected species. Several common bat species in Virginia are listed as Federally-endangered or threatened, so you could face serious consequences if you were to kill or harm such a bat.

How to Get Rid of Bats in a Chimney

So, what can you do to get rid of bats in the chimney? There are a few options, all of which are perfectly affordable for all income levels. The first and most effective approach to get rid of bats in a chimney is to hire a professional Virginia bat removal company to set up devices and strategies that will divert the bats out of the chimney space and not let them return.

Bat valves and cones are great animal-proofing tools for bats in the chimney, attic, roof system, wall voids, and more. Screen covers for vents are also effective. However, you must have them installed by a certified professional who is licensed and permitted to perform bat abatement work. It is not recommended to install bat control devices like these on your own.

Following bat removal and exclusion, your wildlife control specialist will certainly recommend a chimney cap. Just be sure to choose a model that is compatible with your chimney and good quality. Chimney caps require annual inspection to ensure they have not corroded or warped due to inclement weather, extreme temperatures, and wildlife tampering. By ensuring your chimney cap is in good condition, you can better prevent future bat intrusions.

Are you asking yourself, “how can I get rid of bats in my chimney?” If so, you are in the right place!  Contact Virginia Bat Pros at 804-729-9097 for TWRA licensed bat removal and bat-proofing service in Richmond, VA, and its surrounding towns. Our bat abatement specialists serve residential and commercial properties all throughout the state.

Related Posts:

Do You Have Bats in the Attic?
Can I Get Rid of Bats Myself?
Common Signs of Bats in the Wall

Why You Need a Professional to Get Rid of Bats

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.

Virginia Bat Removal and Control Company 804-729-9097
Virginia Bat Removal and Control Company 804-729-9097

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.

Related Posts:

Are Bats Dangerous Animals?
Why You Should Never Try to Remove Bats Yourself
Products That are Not Recommended for Bat Control

How to Animal Proof Your Home Against Bats

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.

Bat Control Virginia 804-729-9097
Bat Control Virginia 804-729-9097

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.

Related Posts:

There Might Be a Bat Infestation in Your House if You See These Signs
Information About Bat Exclusion For Attics
If I See a Bat During the Day, Does it Have Rabies?

Can I Exterminate Bats in 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.

Related Blogs:

The Two Most Common Species of Bats in the Attic
You Have Bats in the Attic if You Check Yes to Any of These Questions
What You Need to Know About the Department of Health and Bats

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

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.

Related Posts:

Common Signs of Bats in the Wall
What To Do If You Find a Bat
Will Bats Attack My Dog?