Did Your Cat Bring You a Dead Bat?

One of the most common reasons Virginia wildlife control professionals get calls for bat removal is because the house cat has caught one. Cats love to chase and capture small animals, and bats are the perfect toy for them. If bats are near your home, and you have a domesticated cat, then chances are, your feline will eventually spot them and go for the kill. This is a very common occurrence among households with outdoor cats. Whether a cat kills, wounds, or simply traps a bat, it is helpful to know what to do.

Continue reading to learn what to do if your cat catches or kills a bat, including where to find emergency dead animal removal near you.

Virginia Bat Control Service Near Me 804-729-9097
Virginia Bat Control Service Near Me 804-729-9097

Bat Removal is For Trained Professionals

Bat removal is not a task recommended for anyone without proper training, licensing, and equipment. Bats should never be harmed or killed under any circumstances, especially since they are highly beneficial parts of our surrounding Eco-system. So, if your cat drags a live bat into the house, do not attempt to harm, kill, or trap. Instead, refer to the safe and humane tips below while waiting for a licensed Virginia bat removal and control service to come and take away the bat safely.

What to Do if Your Cat Catches or Kills a Bat:

Lock up any domesticated pets so they cannot come into contact with the bat.

Keep children away and/or out of the room.

Call the cat to you so it leaves the bat by itself. If the cat refuses to leave the bat alone, try to get the cat back outside. Once outside, go inside and do not let the cat back in until the wildlife contractors arrive.

If the cat leaves the bat, grab a long handle or stick (a broom will do) and lightly tap the floor in front of the bat to see if it can still fly away.

If the bat can fly, keep all windows and doors open for a few hours to allow the bat to escape.

If the bat cannot fly, leave it alone and keep your distance. Wait outdoors for bat removal contractors to arrive.

If your cat has not been vaccinated for Rabies, call your vet to schedule an appointment and have them examined and vaccinated.

Do you need emergency bat removal or dead animal removal? 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:

Will Bats Attack My Dog?
A List of Household Spices to Keep Bats Away
How Much Does Bat Removal and Control Cost?

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

How to Get a Flying Bat Out of the House

If you discover a single, lone bat in your house, there is a good chance that there are many more where it came from. Bats are not loner animals; they are mammals that prefer to live in colonies, from a few dozen to millions or more. If a bat finds its way into your house, it is a sign that you have bat activity near or around your property. In this case, there are some important actions you must take.

But first, you need to know how to get the loner bat out of your house. Continue reading for a simple, 2 step approach you can do on your own.

Open Up a Single Window in the Vicinity of the Bat

How to Get a Bat Out of Your House

Isolate the Bat to One Area

The first thing you want to do it get away from the bat so that you and your family are safe and protected. This is for the bat’s safety as well. Whatever room it is in, try to close it off from the rest of the house. Shut all other doors to the room but leave open a single window to encourage it to leave on its own.

Do not use a broom or other device to “push” the bat out. This can provoke it into defense mode, and potentially lead to an attack or bite. Instead, give it until morning to see if the bat flies out of the window. If you do not want to wait, or cannot wait, it is time to move onto the final step.

Hire a Bat Removal and Control Company

They retain the proper state licenses and wildlife permits to provide wildlife exclusion and extraction in accordance with all state and federal laws. If you cannot wait for the animal to leave on its own, or it simply refuses to do so, you will require professional intervention. Bats are vital parts of our surrounding Eco-system, so it is important to never harm or kill them.

Why Professional Bat Removal is the Best Method

Calling in a professional critter control company for bat removal is the safest and fastest method of getting rid of a bat in the house. Licensed and trained professional bat exclusioners never use inhumane strategies to remove or exclude bats. They only operate using industry-accepted best standards and practices. You can trust an experienced Virginia bat removal company for safe and effective service at an affordable price.

Not sure which critter control specialist to enlist for emergency bat removal service? Just 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.

You Might Also Read:

Do You Have Bats in the Attic?
Can I Get Rid of Bats Myself?
Which Bats are Native to the State of Virginia?

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

Learn About Rabies Awareness For World Rabies Day

Today is World Rabies Day!

In support of Rabies awareness and protection, take this opportunity to review the most important facts about the Rabies Virus, including where you can get it, how to protect your pets and loved ones from exposure, and much more. Continue reading to get started and then spread your newfound awareness to friends and family!

Bat Removal Service Richmond VA 804-729-9097
Bat Removal Service Richmond VA 804-729-9097

What is Rabies?

Rabies is a fatal viral infection caused by the Rabies Lyssavirus (RABV) virus. Once contracted, there is no cure. It travels directly to the central nervous system, subsequently causing inflammation in the brain and spinal cord. People and canines are the most common victims of rabies infection and fatalities.

Common Carriers of the Rabies Virus

 Although raccoons are the most common carrier of the Rabies Virus, bats are another pressing threat. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website, in 2018, 93% of rabies cases were from wild animals, and bats were at the top of the list of carriers. They further reported that in 2019, 7 out of 10 Rabies deaths in the United States were caused by bats. Many other species of wildlife can be carriers too, including birds, squirrels, skunks, coyotes, and foxes.

Rabies Vaccines for Pets

In order to help spread the rabies virus among people and pets, it is vital to have your dogs and cats vaccinated on an annual basis. Dogs are the most common victim of rabies fatalities because they are curious, outdoor explorers who often come into contact with rabid animals like raccoons or bats. Talk to your veterinarian about your dog or cat’s rabies vaccination schedule recommendation. Routine pet vaccination efforts coupled with the availability of rabies-fighting vaccines and medications is the best approach for fighting the rabies pandemic around the world.

Rabies Vaccinations for People

Because the United States averages 1 to 3 cases of humans contracting the Rabies Virus, there is no CDC or government-decreed recommendation for children or adults to seek out routine rabies vaccinations.

Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP)

Upon potential or known exposure, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends immediately seeking Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP). Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) is an antiviral medication taken after you or a pet is exposed to the Rabies virus. Such exposure can happen through a scratch or bite, or in any case in which the bat’s infected saliva enters the target’s bloodstream.  This medical treatment is designed to stop the virus from spreading to the central nervous system, making time of the utmost essence.

Are you dealing with a nuisance bat problem in or around 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.

You Should Also Read:

When Should a Bat Be Captured and Tested for Rabies?
Will Bats Attack My Dog?
What You Want to Know About Bats and Rabies

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

Do Bats Go into Hibernation Soon?

Here in Virginia, we are home to several species of Microchiroptera bats. Also known as microbats, Microchiroptera are insectivores, eating nothing but mosquitoes, gnats, moths, flies, and several other types of flying insects. So, it makes sense that microbats might not want to stick around here for the winter season when the quantity of flying insects are much lower than they are compared to spring and summer.

Now that fall is here, are bats preparing for hibernation? Do bats in Virginia hibernate at all? If they do hibernate, where they go? You may be asking all of these questions and more. If you are, you are in the right place.

Continue reading to learn more about Virginia bats, including their hibernation practices, where they go for winter, and what you can expect this fall from the local bat populations in your Old Dominion communities.

Richmond Bat Removal Services 804-729-9097
Richmond Bat Removal Services 804-729-9097

Bats and Hibernation

So, do bats hibernate? Yes! Beginning in October or November, microbats will begin their hibernation schedule, which typically ends in March. Also known as torpor, bat hibernation serves the purpose of reducing the rate at which the body burns fat reserves. Torpor is a state of decreased metabolic activity in which the heart rate and body temperature drop significantly. During this time, bats might only take one breath per hour. It is also recorded that a bat’s heartbeat can drop to as low as 10 beats per minute (BPM) during torpor.

Since the number of flying insects substantially drops beginning in the fall and through the winter, hibernating during this time of year is a means of survival for bats in Virginia. It is suggested that 97% of the world’s microbat species hibernate.

Common Hibernation Locations for Microbats

Microbats, especially the ones here in Virginia, prefer to hibernate in areas that are safely distant from predators. Hollowed trees, caves, mines, large rock crevices, tunnels, cellars, crypts, church bell towers, and similar locations are prime target areas for bats.

In more suburban and Metropolitan areas, bats can be a nuisance to home and business owners. Oftentimes, bats choose to hibernate within residential and commercial settings. In fact, it is common for bat roosts and infestations to be found after the winter season in areas like attics, roofing systems, chimneys, vaults, wine cellars, basements, crawlspaces, and even in wall voids.

How to Get Rid of Bats in the Attic

if you suspect or have already discovered about infestation in your house or building, it is important to act fast. Bats are highly destructive, and they can also be known carriers of several infectious diseases. Contact a local and trusted Virginia bat removal and control company for emergency bat extraction services and cleanup solutions.

Licensed and experienced critter control professionals will have the proper resources and technologies to safely remove bats and sanitize/restore any area that bats have infested. The sooner you resolve a nuisance that problem, the more time and money you save in the long run.

Are you concerned that nuisance bats are to be a problem to your home or building? 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.

You Might Also Enjoy:

4 Areas of a Home You Might Find a Bat
Why You Should Never Try to Remove Bats Yourself
The Difference Between a Wild Bat and a Nuisance Bat

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

How to Remove Bats From Bell Towers and Churches

Nuisance bats can cause quite a disturbance to churches, steeples, bell towers, and similarly-erected edifices. Not only are bats capable of producing a massive amount of damage and destruction, but they can also pose several health and safety risks to both people and pets because they are known carriers of several infectious diseases. If you have bats in the bell tower or other part of the church, is in the best interest of your clergy and your congregation to get rid of them immediately.

Continue reading to learn how to get rid of bats at church, starting with who to call for trusted abatement services near you.

Bell Tower Church Bat Removal Virginia 804-729-9097
Bell Tower Church Bat Removal Virginia 804-729-9097

Why Churches are a Prime Target for Bat Infestation

Bat infestations are a common occurrence in churches for several reasons. Bats are commonly found roosting in churches and steeples because they happen to make a great place to live for bats.

First, churches are typically quite most of the week. This gives bats a peaceful spot to rest the day away before heading out at sunset in search of food. Churches are also known to have bell towers, which bats love because they are high up and far away from predators, making them feel safe and secure.

Bell towers have more benefits for bats too. Not only does their height and structure make for great landing and lift off spots, but they are also quite warm. In fact, they are typically the hottest area of a church.

Heat rises, giving a bell tower a cozy climate throughout the night. This makes bell towers the perfect spot for hibernating bats. All of these reasons are why maternity colonies often choose to roost in churches and steeples.

How to Get Rid of Bats in the Church

Your first step to managing a church or bell tower bat infestation is to contact a Virginia bat removal and control company as soon as possible. In order to get rid of a bat infestation in a church, professional abatement services are required.

Licensed, insured, and experienced critter control companies in Virginia are the only authorities permitted to handle and transport exotic wildlife, as well as implement strategies for animal proofing and animal damage repairs.

Are you a Virginian-based church leader or director who needs to get rid of a bat problem in the bell tower or steeple? Contact Virginia Bat Pros at 804-729-9097 for affordable and prompt bat removal services in Virginia, including Richmond, Salem, Leesburg, and all surrounding areas. We serve residential and commercial clients.

You Should Also Enjoy:

Did You Find a Dead Bat on Your Property?
When Should a Bat Be Captured and Tested for Rabies?
Common Signs of Bats in the Wall

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

The Facts About Structural Damage Restorations for Attic Bat Infestations

When a home or property has been invaded by bats, the degree of damage that accrues depends on the length of time the animals spent living within the said area.  Bats are fascinating creatures but can unfortunately cause a considerable amount of structural damage and discomfort in a small amount of time.  Attics, sheds, garages, porches, decks, crawl spaces, basements, roofs, and even outdoor jungle gyms for children can be desirable nesting spots for wild bats. 

Continue reading to learn about the common home restoration solutions for bat damages; and to prevent bats from coming back in the future.

Richmond Virginia Bats in the Attic 804-729-9097
Richmond Virginia Bats in the Attic 804-729-9097

Common Damages Caused by Bats in the Attic

When bats invade an indoor area, such as attics and crawl spaces, the damages become much more evident. Bats enter our residential and commercial properties in order to seek shelter from harsh or cold weather. In these particular spaces, bats breed, feed, and nest for the entire season, unless they are discovered and eliminated sooner. 

Bat roosting activity can cause quite a mess and extensive structural damages within a property. For example, urine and bat guano accumulation can saturate particle board, leaving unsightly yellow and brown stains on the ceilings and walls within the residence. This also causes lingering odors, which we will discuss further in this blog.

Not only will urine and dropping buildup weaken the flooring, soil insulation, and ultimately jeopardize the overall stability and foundation of your attic’s structure, but eventually, the smell of this accumulation will also begin to make its way through the property. These damages are repaired by removing the saturated floorboards and replacing them with strong sturdy ones. Then this area and the home will require odor removal. 

Lingering Odors From a Bat Infestation

Odor and foul smells are another issue with bat infestations. Not only can these animals cause physical damages to wood, flooring, walls, and ceilings; they can be the root of a nasty smell that lingers within the property or home. Once an area such as an attic or crawl space is soaked through with bat droppings and other undesirable bat excrement, the smell will eventually take over and surpass the saturated area. This can also attract other pests like flies, gnats, fleas, lice, mites, and more.

This is one way home and property owners recognize a bat problem to begin with. It requires professional bat control services and equipment to securely remove these odors and mess.  Typically, these same companies will offer restoration services as well.  This way, you can remove a bat problem, clean up the mess, and repair the damages all through one company.

Additional Damages Caused by Bat Infestations:

✔ Ripped Attic Insulation
✔ Chewed Electrical Wiring
✔ Saturated Concrete and Particle Board
✔ Sheet Rock Damage
✔ Wall and Ceiling Stains
✔ Dry Wall Damages
✔ Lice, Ticks, and Flea Infestations
✔ Bat Diseases
✔ Roof Shingle Damages
✔ Garages
✔ Sheds
✔ Porches
✔ And More

How to Get Rid of Bats and Clean Up the Mess They Leave Behind

Do you suspect that you have bats in the attic of your Virginia home or business? If so, you need to act fast before the damages can worsen.

Contact Virginia Bat Pros at 804-729-9097 for comprehensive bat removal and control services in Richmond and all surrounding areas, including Richmond, Petersburg, Chesapeake, Newport News, Virginia Beach, and all of their surrounding districts.

You Might Also Like:

Which Bats are Most Common in the Western Parts of Virginia?
Products That are Not Recommended for Bat Control
If I See a Bat During the Day, Does it Have Rabies?

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

The Two Most Common Species of Bats in the Attic

If you discover bats in the attic in Virginia, it is very likely that the roost is one of two common species known to intrude residential properties around this region. Continue reading to learn the top two most common species of bats in the attic, and what to do to get rid of them for good!

Bats in the Attic Removal and Clean Up 804-729-9097
Bats in the Attic Removal and Clean Up 804-729-9097

 The Big Brown Bat

The Big Brown bat (Eptesicus fuscus) is one of the most common Microchiroptera bat species on this side of the globe, from Canada to Mexico and everywhere in between. Here in Virginia, the Big Brown bat is a promising suspect if you have bats in the attic. When the Big Brown bat is not roosting in residential spaces like attics and barns, they are often taking up space in tree cavities, buildings, riverbank caverns, and under bridges.

Not a solitary species, Big Brown bats generally roost in colonies that can skyrocket to hundreds of bats in as little as a few years. In nature, you can expect a Big Brown bat colony to average around 200 or 300 bats at one time. Mating season is in fall and winter, but female bats become pregnant in Spring and move to a separate colony to rear their pups.

Big Brown bats are insectivores, mainly dining on small insects like mosquitos, wasps, crickets, moths, grasshoppers, beetles, and gnats. They can consume their body weight in insects each night, using their echolocation skills to better dart and dive for prey.

The Big Brown Bat (Eptesicus fuscus)
The Big Brown Bat (Eptesicus fuscus)

The Little Brown Bat

Another Microchiroptera bat species common to this region of the country is the Little Brown bat (Myotis lucifugus). Very similar to Big Brown bats, Little Brown bats are insectivorous, roost in large numbers, and prefer to take shelter in hollowed trees, caves, buildings, bridges, and of course, attics.

On the other hand, they are much smaller in in size compared to Big Brown bats and can often squeeze through an opening as little as 3/8ths an inch! For this reason, they are a common species of bats that roost in residential attics and spaces.

When homeowners have bats in the attic in Richmond VA, it is usually a colony of Little Brown bats. Because they hibernate half of the year, their roosts often go unnoticed until Spring, when bats come out of hibernacula to birth their young.

Virginia Bat Removal 804-729-9097
Little Brown Bat (Myotis lucifugus)

Emergency Bat Removal for Bats in the Attic

Regardless of species, you do not want a bat infestation to go on unresolved. Bats cause a massive amount of destruction to attics, from soiled floorboards and ceilings to attic insulation damage, parasite outbreaks, guano piles, and more. Additionally, bats carry transmissible diseases that are unsafe for your family and pets. Overall, having bats in the attic is unhygienic, destructive, and messy to clean up, so you do not want them in there in the first place.

As soon as you suspect that you have bats in the house or attic, contact a reputable Richmond VA bat control company for emergency bat removal services. A well-established and professional company will provide expert bat clean up and minor attic repairs for damages caused by bats.

Would you like to learn how to protect your home from bat intrusions and damages? Contact Virginia Bat Pros at 804-729-9097 for bat removal and control in Richmond, Virginia. We serve both residential and commercial clients in all surrounding counties and locations.

You Should Also Like:

Top 3 Signs That Suggest You Have Bats in Your House
How Much Does Bat Removal and Control Cost?
What Happens to Bats After Bat Removal?

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

Comparing Little Brown Bats With Big Brown Bats

Two of the most prevalent microbats found in the surrounding Virginia regions are the Little Brown bat and the Big Brown bat. Although they share sister names, they are quite different from one another in terms of biology. Continue reading to learn some fun and informative facts about both species of microbat, as well as what you should do if you ever find a bat in the house or other area of your property.

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

The Microbats of Virginia

Little Brown Bats

Virginia Bat Removal and Control 804-729-9097
The Little Brown Bat

Adult bats 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 mosquitos, 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! That is excellent pest control, and it’s free!

Big Brown Bats

Virginia Bat Removal and Control 804-729-9097
The Big Brown Bat

The Big Brown bat may look like the Little Brown bat, but they are a different species, and just a tad larger, as the names implies. Adult bats 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.

Do you think you might require bat removal or control assistance for your home or commercial property? Contact Virginia Bat Pros at 804-729-9097 for professional bat removal services in Virginia, including Richmond and surrounding counties.

You Should Also Read:

Which Bats are Native to the State of Virginia?
Facts About Megabats and Microbats
4 Areas of a Home You Might Find a Bat

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

The Difference Between Bat Mites and Bed Bugs

People all across the Virginia have experienced a bug infestation of some kind. Whether its mosquitos, ants, gnats, or fleas, we have all been there at least once in our lives. Out of all the insects that we encounter in our lifetime, bat mites are one we would commonly overlook. No one ever talks about bat mites, mostly because they are often mistaken for bed bugs

Continue below to learn the similarities and differences between the two insects, as well as, how to permanently get rid of bat mites in your home.

Virginia Bat Removal and Cleanup Service
Virginia Bat Removal and Cleanup Service 804-729-9097

Bed Bugs Versus Bat Mites

⚠ Bats can carry and transmit parasites like lice, ticks, and of course, bat mites.

Most people have heard stories of bed bug infestations, and many have even experienced it for themselves. The usual signs include itching, red bumps and bites, and actual minuscule bugs in your linens and bed sheets. To get rid of them, people have used exterminators, aerosol sprays, and insecticide treatments to kill and remove the “bed bug” problem.  What some find, is that the infestation eventually comes back.

This is most likely because they treatment administered wasn’t strong enough, or the infestation isn’t bed bugs at all, its bat mites. Bat mites behave very similar to bed bugs. They are tiny parasitic insects that cling to a host and can live up to one year if the climate is agreeable. They live sustainably in dark and narrow areas, just like bats, which is why bats are their favorite hosts.

How to Get Rid of Bat Mites

⚠ No matter how many times your house is fumigated, disinfected, and treated, BAT MITES WILL NEVER GO AWAY unless you get rid of the bats, first!

Standard extermination services are not enough for bat mites, and they probably never will be. An exterminator cannot simply spray, kill, and call it a day when it comes to bat mites. As long as their host remains, they remain and will continue to come back over and over again. You have to take more invasive action to get rid of bat mites compared to bed bugs.

Once the bat colonies are cleared from the area and proper preventative maintenance is implemented to ensure there will be no more future bat break-ins, you are on your way to a pest-free living space. This is when you can begin to properly clean and sanitize the area for bat mites. Keep in mind that bats can also carry and transmit fleas, lice, and ticks.

Are you looking for safe and affordable bat cleaning service near you? Contact Virginia Bat Pros at 804-729-9097 for affordable and prompt bat cleaning and restoration services in Virginia, including Richmond, Fredericksburg, Manassas, and all surrounding areas. We serve residential and commercial clients.

You Should Also Read:

How to Get Rid of Bat Mites
3 Transmissible Bat Diseases That Can Affect People and Pets
What You Want to Know About Bats and Rabies

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

A Homeowner’s Guide to Installing Bat Houses

Bats are very important to us, even if they can also be a nuisance at times. Not only do bats serve an ecological role in our surrounding environment, but they also contribute to the promise of our local economies, and more. There are many ways you can support local bat populations, without ever putting yourself or your property at risk. First, you can be sure to never harm, trap, or kill wild bats. Furthermore, you can install bat houses to give bats a place to rest their tired wings during the day!

Constructing, installing, and maintaining bat houses is a serious hobby since you do not want to hurt bats or put them in a hazardous situation. Also, many bats are protected by the state, or even federally, making it inhumane and illegal to put them in harms’ way. For this reason, you need to be sure you use the proper methods if you want bat houses on your property.

Continue reading to learn what you need to know before getting started on your bat house initiative!

VA Richmond Bat Removal
VA Richmond Bat Removal 804-729-9097

Buying or Building Bat Houses

First, you need a bat house. You can choose to build your own, or you can simply purchase a pre-constructed bat house online or at your local home improvement store. If you choose to craft your own bat house, it is critical that you know how to operate and apply the necessary tool and materials for the project and follow all state laws and best practices for building bat houses. If you decide to build your own, here are some free bat house plans we recommend.

Bat House Installation Tips

Bat houses must be installed in certain areas, and in certain ways, to keep everyone safe, including the bats themselves. Usually, it is recommended to install bat houses on the edge of a property, away from the home, but close to a body of water or small group of trees. When it comes time to mount them, designate a wooden pole or pivot pole. Do not mount bat houses on trees because they will not get enough light, which creates interior warmth. Furthermore, mounting them on trees will make it more difficult for bats to enter and take flight, and makes them more vulnerable to predators.

How to Install a Bat House

Mount your bat house in an area that gets 6 to 8 hours of sun light. This means it should face South or East.

Install your bat house 12 to 20 feet off the ground or above the highest vegetation beneath it.

Keep bat houses at least 20 to 30 feet away from tree branches and other obstructions that can interfere with their flight.

Mount your bat house near a major water source, such as a year-round stream, creek, pond, river, or lake.

Are you having problems with nuisance bats 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. We serve all of Virginia, including Richmond, Petersburg, Short Pump, Lynchburg, Charlottesville, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Newport News, Virginia Beach, and all of their surrounding districts.

You Might Also Read:

The Ecological Importance of Bats
How to Properly Maintain Bat Houses
The Top Three Signs that You Have Bats in the House

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