Do Bats Live Alone or in Groups?

Here in Virginia, there are several species of bat that call our state home. In fact, there are 16 in particular that are most common, 4 of which are listed as endangered. These species include the Virginia Big-Eared bat, Rafinesque’s Big-Eared bat, Gray bat, Indiana bat, Hoary bat, Silver-Haired, Seminole bat, Townsend’s Big-Eared bat, Eastern Red bat, Eastern Pipistrelle bat, American Long-Eared  bat, Eastern Small-footed bat, Lump-Nosed bat, Ozark Big-Eared bat, Northern Long-eared bat, and Northern Myotis.

Each of these bat species are unique in behavior, appearance, reproduction, and more. When it comes to home life, this is quite evident. Most bats live in large colonies, sometimes in the hundreds, thousands, and in nature, millions. However, some bats prefer a more solitary lifestyle. In fact, all bat species can be classified as either solitary or social.

Continue reading to learn the difference between solitary and social bats, including some examples of species that fit these classifications.

Bat Removal Control Virginia 2
Pipstrelle Species are Social Bats.

Social Bat Species

Social bats are what we would call colonists because they prefer to colonize in large groups, especially during hibernation in the winter season. Typically, social bat species are discovered nesting (called roosting) in abandoned mines, buildings, hollowed trees, caves, and even residential settings, like attic spaces and wall cavities.

Some examples of social bat species include the Little Brown bat, Big Brown bat, Tri-Colored bat (formally known as Pipistrelle), Evening bat, Indiana bat, and Northern Long-Eared bat. Some of these species are common in the Virginia areas, and often times, the culprit of attic infestations.

Types of Social Bats:

? Big Brown Bat

? Evening Bat

? Gray Bat

? Indiana Bat

? Little Brown Bat

? Northern Long-Eared Bat

? Southeastern Bat

? Tri-Colored Bat (formally Pipistrelle)

Solitary Bat Species

In contrast to social bat species, solitary bats are usually loners. Rather than roosting in colonies, solitary bats live alone and even migrate south alone to warmer areas for the winter. On the other hand, a few species are known to choose hibernation over migration in the winter. Most often, solitary bats are known to make their shelters in hollowed trees growing along riverbeds, or even in deep rock crevices. Examples of solitary bat species include the Hoary bat, Red Bat, and Silver-Haired bat.

Types of Solitary Bats:

? Silver-Haired Bat

? Red Bat

? Hoary Bat

How to Get Rid of Nuisance Bats

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

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.

State Laws Surrounding Wild Bats

If you have problems with nuisance bats, it is only natural to want to take action and do something about it. However, it is wise to study the Virginia laws surrounding wild bats before you decide to take matters into your own hands. Continue reading to learn which state laws govern wild bats, and what you can do if you have trouble with nuisance bats around your property.

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

Bats are Protected Under Law

You might be wondering why laws about bats and bat control even exist. Well, the answer mostly has to do with all the vital ecological and Economical benefits bat populations provide us. Read our blog, “The Ecological Importance of Bats” to better understand the wonderful attributes of these commonly misrepresented mammals. So if you have nuisance bats inhabiting your property, whether inside or out, you definitely need to take action; the catch here is to make sure you take the PROPER action as to not violate any laws surrounding bats and bat removal.

The Endangered Species Act

There are 15 bat species commonly found here in Virginia. Within these species, 3 in particular are Federally-endangered, and 1 that is state-endangered (Rafinesque’s Big-Eared Bat). All of them are currently protected by the Endangered Species Act. This act 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. The bats that are on this list include the Gray Bat (Myotis grisescens), Indiana Bat (Myotis sodalist), Virginia Big-Eared Bat (Corynorhinus townsendii virginianus), and the Rafinesque’s Big-Eared Bat (Also known as the Southeastern Big-eared Bat).

Additional bat species in Virginia include the Eastern Small-footed Bat, Northern Long-eared Bat, Eastern Pipistrelle Bat, Silver-haired Bat, Eastern Red Bat, Hoary Bat, Seminole Bat, American Long-Eared Bat, Lump-Nosed Bat, Ozark Big-Eared Bat, Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat, and the Northern Myotis.

Here is What You Need to Know:

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.”

What to Do if You Have Bats

If you find a bat inside your home or office, immediately contact a licensed and insured Virginia bat removal company for emergency extraction that is both safe and humane. In fact, the Virginia Department of Health recommends retaining the bat for Rabies testing if it was found indoors. Your bat removal specialists can assist you with this process.

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

If you have bats around your property that are causing problems, 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! Call us to request a free estimate, anytime.

5 Educational Facts About Bats

Bats are mostly known as a scary threat, or a neighborhood nuisance; but bats are much more than that. In fact, they are a greatly misunderstood species that deserve a better reputation. Continue reading to review 5 interesting and educational facts about bats, and better understand their importance in our world.

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

❶ Bats Serve a Vital Ecological and Economical Role

Bats feed heavily on our local insect populations every night, allowing us to have more comfortable backyard living areas, more enjoyable outdoor fun and activity, and less spread of disease and crop mutilation. Bats also support local economies among farmers, vendors, and consumers because the prevent crop mutilation. Farmers have also been known to use bat droppings, or “guano”, to fertilize their land. In fact, guano mining is a significant enterprise in the agricultural industry, worldwide.

Furthermore, Megabats, found in tropical and subtropical regions, primarily feed on pollen and nectar of fruits and flowers. This diet behavior provides a significant benefit ecologically and agriculturally by means of pollination, seed dispersal, which promotes cross-fertilization. We can thank Megabats for crops like bananas, avocados, mangoes, nuts, figs and cacao. Also, vampire bat species are an important focus in the medical research industry because their saliva contains an anticoagulant protein called “Desmoteplase” that researchers speculate can be used as medicine for stroke patients and blood clot prevention in humans.

❷ There are More Than 1,300 Species of Bat Around the World

Bats are a mammal that are native to almost every region of the world. And although there are more than 1,300 known species of bat, it is suspected that thousands more exist. Differences in features, behaviors, diet, size, and more, are what separate the known bat colonies, worldwide. Here in Virginia, the most common bat species found include the Little Brown bat, the Big Brown bat, Eastern Small-footed bat, Northern Long-eared bat, Eastern Pipistrelle bat, Silver-haired Bat, Eastern Red bat, Hoary bat, Seminole bat, American Long-Eared bat, Lump-Nosed bat, Evening bat, Ozark Big-Eared bat, Townsend’s Big-Eared bat, and the Northern Myotis. Endangered species are local to Virginia as well, including the Indiana bat, the Gray bat, and the Southeastern Big-eared Bat (also known as Rafinesque’s Big-Eared bat).

❸ Some Species of Bat Do Not Hibernate for the Winter

It is assumed by many that all bats hibernate for the winter. The truth is, some species hibernate and others do not. Some species of bat migrate instead of hibernate, and travel south to warmer areas for the cold season. Such species include the Spotted bat, Mexican free-tailed bat, and the lesser long-nose bat. Other species of bat do hibernate, thus entering into a state of torpor, or low metabolic activity. Bats cycle through periods of torpor and periods of moderate arousal, for the duration of winter. Bats generally prefer to hibernate in hollowed trees, rock crevices, caves, abandoned mines, and even residential and commercial buildings.

❹ Bats Do Not Have Very Many Natural Predators

You would think an animal as tiny as a bat would be at the top of something’s diet sheet, but really, they have very few natural predators. In fact, the biggest threat to bat survival is the threat of disease. For instance, a fungal diseases known as White Nose Syndrome, has killed millions of bat populations throughout the world. Read our blog, “Facts About White-Nose Syndrome and Bats” to learn more about this devastating bat disease. Mostly, predatory wildlife such as owls, hawks, and snakes will eat bats, but rarely go out of their way for them.

❺ Bats are the Only Mammal That Can Truly Fly!

Sure, you’ve heard of Flying Squirrels and other animals that seem to fly; but they are really just soaring, floating, or drifting on air currents. Bats, on the other hand, are capable of true flight, which means they can take off, maintain flight, and land, on demand. They can fly just the same as a bird, but they are a mammal. And they are the ONLY mammal that can do that! Not only can they fly, they are fast, with some species achieving speeds of 100 miles per hour!

Do You Have Nuisance Bats?

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

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 at 804-729-9097 to request a free estimate, anytime.