Which Bats are Most Common in the Western Parts of Virginia?

Posted on March 31, 2020 by virginia

Here in Virginia, our state is home to many species of bats. In fact, we are home to the famous, Virginia Big-Eared Bat, which was officially appointed the prestigious title of our state bat more than 14 years ago, and continues to be an admired and protected species, both locally and nationally, to this very day.

But when it comes to the Western parts of the state, bats are more abundant since the border is near so many cave systems and dense forests. From Roanoke to the West side border, a long list of bats can be spotted, including native species, federally-endangered species, and even just the occasional visitors.

Continue reading to learn more about them all!

Virginia Bat Removal and Control 804-729-9097 — Luray Caverns in Virginia is home to many valuable species of bat!

Bat Species in Western Areas of Virginia

The Western parts of Virginia are known for their beautiful and abundant cavernous systems, making it no surprise that many bat species live in the region. Some of the most common bats found in Western parts of the state include Little Brown bats, Big Brown bats, and of course, the Virginia Big-Eared Bat. But there are plenty more fascinating bat species that are spotted in West VA caves, forests, riverbanks, and even abandoned mines!

Virginia Big-Eared Bats

Virginia big-eared bats range consists of eastern Kentucky, eastern West Virginia, southwestern Virginia, and northwestern North Carolina. As for habitat, they are mostly found dwelling in the limestone caves of western Virginia since they provide the proper temperature and humidity levels vital to their survival; but they are also commonly found in heavily vegetated oak-hickory or beech-maple-hemlock forests.

Little Brown Bats and Big Brown Bats

Little Brown bats (Myotis Lucifugus) and Big Brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus) are often confused for one another because they live in the same areas and look very similar. See our previous blog, “The Difference Between the Big Brown Bat and Little Brown Bat” to learn all the interesting facts about these two incredible species, and what sets them apart.

Endangered Species

There are 3 particular species of bat in Virginia that are Federally-endangered, and 1 that is state-endangered. 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 Rafinesque’s Big-Eared Bat (State Endangered; also known as the Southeastern Big-eared Bat).

Occasional Visitors:

🦇 Rafinesque’s Big-Eared Bat (Corynorhinus rafinesquii)
🦇 Seminole Bats (Lasiurus seminolus)
🦇 Gray Bat (Myotis grisescens)

Trusted Virginia Bat Removal and Control

Call Virginia Bat Pros at 804-729-9097 for humane bat removal and control assistance you can trust. We serve all of Old Dominion, including Roanoke, Richmond, Petersburg, Short Pump, Lynchburg, Charlottesville, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Newport News, Virginia Beach, and more. 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.

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

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.

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!

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.