Why Bats are Actually Important to Us

Posted on March 24, 2021 by virginia

Bats have to be one of the most misunderstood wild animal species around the world. They are perceived to be scary, flying rodents, when in fact, they are one of the most interesting mammals on earth. That’s right; bats are mammals, not rodents, and they are the only mammal on the planet capable of true flight! Although some animals might float, drift, glide, or hover, bats can actually fly just like a bird. Their ability to fly is a major factor in why bats are so important.

Continue reading to learn how bats play a vital role in our surrounding ecosystems, and what you can do to continue the national initiative to conserve and protect these valuable mammals.

Virginia Bat Removal and Control 804-729-9097

The Role Bats Play in the Supporting Our Local Ecosystems

Bats are nocturnal mammals that come out at night to hunt for their prey. They use their bio-sonar abilities, called echolocation, to better dive and dart for their meals. As insectivores, microbats commonly dine on all sorts of bugs, including gnats, flies, moths, beetles, and their favorite, mosquitoes. This is one of the main reasons why they are so ecologically important. Bats play an integral role in pest management.

You see, just one bat can consume more than 1,000 insects in a single night. And since bats are not solitary mammals, there is always dozens, sometimes hundreds, of bats hunting for insects in a particular area. With so much insect control, people are safer from transmissible diseases that can be spread by biting insects, as well as potential anaphylactic reactions from stings. Furthermore, our backyards and outdoor areas are more comfortable since there are not as many bugs bothering us.

Bats and the Economy

Bats also play an integral role in the local economies as a result of their insect control skills. Farmers and gardeners see better value in their crops and yields because there are less pests eating away at their produce. Farmed lands are better protected against pest destruction and tampering when bats are around. Better crops mean better business for everyone; it also means healthier, tastier food for consumers.

Managing Nuisance Bats

If you have a bat problem in your vicinity, do not take it out on the bats. They are innocent creatures just doing what they can to survive in nature. Land over-development, pollution, and more, sometimes drives bats out of their natural habitat and into ours. When bats are a bother on your property, call in licensed professionals for safe and humane abatement service.

Do you need to get rid of bats in or around your house? Contact Virginia Bat Pros at 804-729-9097 for licensed bat removal and control services you can trust. We serve residential and commercial clients all of Virginia, including Richmond, Virginia Beach, Midlothian, Roanoke, and more.

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

How to Tell if You Have a Bat Roost in Your House

Posted on March 19, 2021 by virginia

Bats are mammals that fly, and they use their gift of flight to assist in their search for better shelter from predators and inclement weather conditions. Although bats are quite beneficial to our Eco-system, the same cannot be said for their influences on our homes, barns, sheds, structures, and more. That’s right; bats are highly destructive, especially if they choose to roost in your attic or wall voids.

The Damages Bats Will Cause

Once bats find shelter in your property, their natural behaviors of feeding, breeding, nesting, and other activity affects the value and construction of the property. Their droppings and urine can soil insulation in attics and crawl spaces. It can also seep into ceilings and walls, creating foul and unexplained odors. Sheet rock, ceilings, dry wall, insulation, roof shingles, siding, and more can all be damaged by bat infestations and nesting.

Why Time is Your Enemy When You Have a Bat Infestation

For these reasons and more, if you suspect you may have a colony of roosting bats living inside your property or some other structure on your property, such as a barn, shed, or pool house, it is important to act fast. The longer bats dwell within these spaces, the more damage will accumulate over time. Once there is even the slightest suspicion that you may have a case of bats nesting in or around your property, something must be done.

Top Signs of Roosting Bats

Here are some clues to help decipher whether or not you have bats living within or around your building. Be sure to never attempt to trap a bat on your own because it can be dangerous and risk more damages to your building. Read the telltale signs below, and if any clue describes your situation, then you could definitely have bats on your property and will need to contact a professional bat control company for assistance.

► Mysterious Stains on Walls and Ceilings: If bats are in the attic areas of a building, their droppings and urine have nowhere else to go but down. Down the ceilings and walls it flows, attracting insects and others pests, resulting in more of an infestation problem. This situation causes discolored stains and foul odors which is a common sign of bat invasion.

► Bat Guano: If anyone spots or smells bat droppings, you have bats near your building. Bat guano also has a very distinct odor which easily sets it apart and distinguishes it from other animal droppings. Bat guano is often found near bat entrances and is another sure sign that there are bats living on your property.

► Flying Bats: If anyone sees even one bat flying around your property or building, it could mean that they are lost from the colony and searching for them. The colony could be inside the building and the bat is unable to find the entrance again, or it could mean that the colony is close enough to your property that stray bats on wandering close by.

► Scratching and Squeaking Noises: If noises that sound like squeaks and scratching are heard more than a few times inside walls and other areas of the building, this could mean bats. By taking a closer look, you can figure out if bats have found their way inside the walls leading to the attic and crawl spaces, or if you just have mice. Both are problems.

Are you now sure that you have bats in the attic, or a bat in the house? 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.

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Virginia Bat Removal and Control 804-729-9097

Installation Tips for Bat Houses

Posted on March 10, 2021 by virginia

Spring is near, so many homeowners are preparing their properties for the onset of wildlife within the local Virginia borders. If you too are a nature lover, and enjoy watching and accommodating the surrounding wildlife around your home, you should consider installing a bat house or two. Not sure if you have a bat population, locally? Well, if you have never seen a bat flying around your house around the time of dusk, or just after the sun sets, then you might not. On the other hand, if you have seen a bat before, you can safely assume there is a thriving population in your area.

But as it is with all wildlife practices around your property, it is important to know what you are doing for the purpose of safety. The same applies to installing and managing bat houses. It is necessary to adhere to certain guidelines in order to protect bats, yourself, and your home from potential bat intrusions.

Continue reading to learn the top installation tips for bat houses, as well as what you should do if you think bats are a nuisance around your home.

Virginia Bat Removal Company 804-729-9097

Bat House Construction

You can choose to buy a manufactured bat house, or you can construct your own. If you choose to make your own bat house, be sure you know what you are doing, and use a certified blueprint. Bat houses must be built in a certain fashion to ensure that safety of the bat, and the overall function of the bat house. If you wish to purchase a prefabricated bat house, look at your local garden or home improvement store, or search online at related retailers. You can expect them to come in an array of designs and sizes, and range in price between $12 and $100.

Bat House Location

You cannot place a bat house just anywhere on your property; you must choose a safe and suitable location. Bat houses should be installed on wooden or metal poles, or on the side of a building, like a barn or shed. You should never install bat houses on trees because there is not enough sunlight to adequately warm the house, and it puts bats directly in the path of their predators. Branches and leaves can also cause entrance obstructions, forcing bats to find another place to roost.

Bat House Installation

When mounting your bat house, be sure you choose a location that receives at least 6 to 8 hours of ample sunlight. Select a spot that faces East or South for best results. This will ensure that the house stays warm enough at night for the bats.

Mount bat houses at least 12 to 20 feet above the ground, or the tallest vegetation or tree. Also, be sure your bat houses are mounted at least 30 feet from your home, nearby tree branches, and power lines. This will help divert bats away from your house, and prevent bat infestations and intrusions. It will also help protect them from potential predators.

Do your best to mount your bat house near a natural body of water, like a stream, creek, pond, or river. This will ensure a thriving bat population, year round.

Nuisance Bat Control Tips

If bats are becoming a problem around your property, or you find a bat in the house, immediately separate yourself and your loved ones (including pets) from the vicinity of the bat’s location. Under no circumstance should you attempt to touch or trap a bat. Your next step is to contact a licensed Virginia bat removal company for bat removal and control service.

Got bats in the attic? Found a bat in the house? Need to get rid of bats? Contact Virginia Bat Pros at 804-729-9097 for prompt and professional bat removal and control services you can afford. We serve all of Old Dominion, including Richmond, Roanoke, Charlottesville, Lynchburg, and more.

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