Why You Should Never Try to Remove Bats Yourself

Although not necessarily considered one of the smartest mammals in the Animal Kingdom, bats sure are sneaky. They are so small that they can squeeze through an opening the size of a tic-tac! This ability makes them a top nuisance animal for homeowners all across the Midwest, especially those who live near large bodies of water. If you suspect that you might have bats in the attic or other area of your home, you could be right. After all, the signs of a bat infestation are hard to miss. But beware: Never attempt to remove bats yourself.

Continue reading to learn why, and what you should do instead to get rid of bats in your house.

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

Professional Licensing

One of the first things you should know about bats is that they are governed by many wildlife laws in Virginia, and on a federal level. For instance, it is not legal to keep a bat as a pet, nor transport it to other areas of the state or country. It is also illegal to harm or kill bats. The work involved in the wildlife rescue and control industry, particularly those who deal with bats, require professional licensing by the state. Without the proper permits and licenses, it is not legal to handle and distribute bats.

Transmissible Diseases

Bats are not likely to attack, but have been known to under provocation or threat. If you attempt to approach, touch, or trap a bat, it could respond aggressively, and bite or scratch you. You do not want any interaction with a bat at all considering they are common carriers of several infectious diseases, such as Leptospirosis, Rabies, ticks, fleas, mites, lice, and more. You also do not want your pets exposed to such diseases.

Structural Damage and Disarray

Even if you could find a way to remove any roosting bats in the house, you will still be faced with the task of dealing with the mess they left behind. Bat infestations are very messy. 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.

How to Get Rid of Bats in the House

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.

Virginia Bat Removal and Control Services You Can Afford

Call Virginia Bat Pros at 804-729-9097 when you need to get rid of bats in Virginia. We use safe and humane methods to deliver effective 24 hour bat control for residential and commercial properties throughout Virginia. We also offer restoration and repair services for damages caused by bats. We serve all of Virginia, including Richmond, Petersburg, Short Pump, Lynchburg, Charlottesville, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Newport News, Virginia Beach, and all of their surrounding areas.

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

Common Damages Caused By Bats in the Attic

If you have just one or two bats in the house, you are probably not going to have the need for extensive renovations. However, it is a fact that bats are not solitary animals, so where there’s some, there’s likely to be more. Finding just one or two bats in the attic means that the infestation has not yet had time to grow, which is a lucky scenario for any homeowner since this also means less damage has been done. If the colony goes unnoticed and has room to expand, a plethora of damages can occur in a short amount of time.

Continue reading to learn what types of structural damages bats tend to cause, and what you can do to prevent such damages to your Virginia home.

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

Common Damages From Bat Activity

Drywall Damage

Bats, just like all other mammals, must expel their waste. This is the number one source of bat damage. Bat feces, also known as guano, are a hazard waste that can soil floorboards, ceilings, walls, electrical wiring, and attic insulation. Bat droppings can seep into all of the attic’s surroundings, and eventually make its way into the walls and ceilings of actual living quarters of the house. Not only does this stain drywall, it causes embarrassing and foul odors in the home. If these circumstances are terrible enough, bat infestations can also lead to parasite infestations, primarily bat mites, which are very similar to lice and equally transmissible to both people and pets.

Roofing

Bats oftentimes find their way into wall voids and attic spaces through openings in the roof. Whether tile, asphalt shingles, or wood shake, bats only need about a 3/8ths an inch to fit through a hole. Loose or missing shingles are frequently to blame, but bats have also been known to peel back roof shingles or ply boards, and squeeze their way inside.

Bat Diseases

The scariest risk posed by bat infestations in the attic are communicable bat diseases like Rabies. It is critical to your safety and the safety of everyone else in your home to never attempt bat removal on your own. Never try to touch, trap, catch, or kill a bat under any circumstances. As a protected species, not only is this illegal in your state, but it is also very dangerous for people, pets, and bats themselves.

Bat droppings also pose several health risks, such as histoplasmosis. Histoplasmosis is a potentially-fatal lung infection caused by the inhalation of Histoplasma fungal spores that grow in guano. These spores become airborne and travel through a home’s ductwork and can affect both people and pets. This infection is especially dangerous to elderly individuals and people with suppressed immune systems.

Hire Professional Bat Control Service

Whether you have one bat in the house or an entire colony of bats in the attic, a Virginia bat removal and control company will remove the bats, suggest methods to keep bats from returning in the future, and implement such services upon your request. They retain the latest technologies and innovative advancements in the industry to provide safe and humane bat extraction and exclusion services for both residential and commercial properties. In addition to getting rid of bats, they can also provide comprehensive bat cleanup and restoration services to correct the mess and damage they tend to leave behind.

Who to Call for Virginia Bat Control at an Affordable Price

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 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.

Our Basic Approach to Bat Removal and Prevention in VA

There are several wildlife control companies to choose from in the Old Dominion State, but very few compare to the level of skill and commitment of our specialists here at Virginia Bat Pros! Our company was built on a strong foundation of old-fashioned values like quality and respect. Not only are we dedicated to providing unparalleled client support, we insist on maintaining affordable, economy-based prices.

Our licensed, bonded, and insured bat removal specialists have more than 27 combined years of hands-on experience, and provide a wide range of bat abatement services for both residential and commercial properties, including extraction, exclusion, cleanup and restoration, home owners’ insurance claim work, property inspections, 24 hour emergency service, and much more.

Take a look below to learn what to expect from our services.

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

Professional Bat Extraction and Abatement System

Want to know what really sets our company apart from our industry contemporaries? It’s our proven, methodological approach to bat removal and control. Whether a few bats or an entire colony, our licensed and trained professionals know exactly what to do, all while protecting those around them and the bats themselves. Here’s how it works:

INSPECTION

We offer free primary inspections to assess a nuisance bat issue. Our professionals start by systematically examining a property, both interior and exterior areas and components. With so many years of hands-on experience and training, we know precisely where to look and what to look for, so bats have no chance at hiding from us! After the inspection is complete, we carefully evaluate all the evidences in order to find bat locations and entry points.

EXTRACTION

Upon finding the bats hiding places, we will then implement all of the industry-accepted methods and best practices for bat extraction and exclusion. The actual procedures used will depend on various factors, such as the bats’ location, colony size, type of property (residential, commercial, multi-story, etc.), season, and much more. The period of time to complete the whole process will depend on these same factors.

EXCLUSION

Once we have extracted all of the bats from a property, our next priority is to stop them from coming back in the future. This is why we don’t just identify a primary point of entry for bats; instead, we painstakingly examine every possible entry point. From there, we begin all of the necessary strategies to close up entry points using non-toxic, high quality products, such as high-density polyurethane foam, heavy gauge galvanized steel mesh screening, industrial caulking, and more.

RESTORATION

The final part of the bat removal and control process involves cleaning up the mess they left behind, and then restoring the structural damages they caused. This includes hazard waste removal, decontamination, sanitizing, deodorization, bat bug remediation, drywall repair, floorboard replacement, attic repair, crawl space repair, and any other repairs needed for damages caused by bats.

Get a Free Quote for Virginia Bat Removal Service Today

Contact our office at 804-729-9097 to learn more about bat removal, bat cleanup and restoration in Virginia, and how to get started with your solution to nuisance bats, today. We offer both residential and commercial bat removal services, and serve all cities and counties in Virginia. Request free estimates, information or advice, anytime.

What to Do About Your Problems With Nuisance Bats

Bats are an important part of our world. They pollinate our landscapes, aid farmer in pest control, provide us with natural fertilizers, and even help contribute to our local economies. But there is also a downside to our local bat populations. You see, bats can be quite the nuisance. Not only do they cause structural damages, they are also known carriers of several transmissible diseases; diseases that can be contracted by both humans and pets! For these reasons and more, it is wise to step in early on to mitigate or abate a nuisance bat problem, before the damages, and associated costs to repair those damages, add up.

Continue reading to learn exactly what you should do about your issues with nuisance bat activity around your house.

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

Inspect Your Home for Signs of Bats

Your first step to putting a stop to nuisance bat activity on and around your property is to inspect your property. This assessment will give you a current idea of whether or not bats have gained access to inner parts of your home, and have built roosts in the attic or wall voids. A common sign of localized bat activity are guano droppings, usually around windowsills, door frames, and roof edges. Additional signs include oil stains or grease marks on siding or entry holes, yellow or brown stains on ceilings or walls (this is caused by urine and dropping accumulation from somewhere inside the house), noises of chirping or fluttering within walls or in the attic, and lingering odors that were not there before.

Contact a Local Bat Control Company

Once you have assessed the condition and surrounding environment of your home, you have a good idea of where the bats are localizing at, and how much their presence has affected the structural integrity of your house and property edifices. With this information handy, your next step is to contact a Virginia Bat Removal and Control Company that has a long-standing reputation for excellence in their field. With them on the line, schedule a time for them to come out and perform a comprehensive property inspection. They have advanced technologies and resources to take a bat infestation and activity assessment many steps further, and render a professional evaluation and diagnosis.

Move Forward With Bat Control Services

Once the professional bat control specialists have completed their assessment, they will have all the information they need to give you a professional recommendation to get rid of nuisance bats. They will start by educating you about environmental modifications, which means you may need to add or remove certain features in your property. This might include log piles, dead trees, composting, standing water, and similar features that attract bats. Following environment changes, they will likely recommend a mitigation plan to prevent bats from being able to enter your house. If you have bats around, there is a risk of bat infestations. They will suggest certain structural enhancements or repairs, such as filling in gaps and holes in the exterior of your home.

Your Leading Virginia Bat Removal and Control Company

Call Virginia Bat Pros at 804-729-9097 for safe and humane bat removal and control at a fair price. Regardless of the size or scope of your bat abatement and cleanup needs, we have the experience and resources necessary to remedy your bat problem in no time at all. Our professionals are focused on safe and effective results, but more importantly, our client’s complete satisfaction. Contact us anytime for free estimates, advice, and assistance.

Why Virginia Bat Pros is Your Trusted Call to Get Rid of Bats

When you want prompt and professional bat removal service in Old Dominion, but at a price you can truly afford, Virginia Bat Pros is the first and only call you need to make! Trust us for quality customer support, lasting results, and competitive prices. Continue below to learn why you should choose the licensed professionals at Virginia Bat Pros for all your bat abatement needs!

Virginia Bat Removal and Control 804-729-9097

www.VirginiaBatPros.com
? 804-729-9097

We are Licensed and Insured Professionals in Virginia

Our professional bat removal specialists are true industry professionals who retain the proper state licensing and insurance coverage to perform wildlife abatement services in Virginia. You can’t appoint just anybody to get rid of bats; it is the law to have the proper permits and insurance to capture, transport, and relocate exotic wildlife. Furthermore, we use strict internal safety standards to ensure no one is hurt on your property while performing our duties.

We Only Use Safe and Humane Methods

Bats are incredibly important parts of our Eco-system, and we use every resource in our power to ensure they are protected and safely handled on every job. We use non-lethal bat removal and control methods that are safe and humane for bats. In the case that we have to remove bats, we relocate them to a faraway habitat where they can live out the remainder of their lives in nature.

We Have More Than 27 Years of Experience

Experience is key when it comes to executing a bat abatement plan, successfully. Our licensed professionals have almost 3 decades of hands-on experience, giving us an advantage in strategy and outcomes. We know what to look for, where to look for it, and how to resolve the problem. Furthermore, within this time we have been able to accrue a generous inventory of state-of-the-art equipment and the latest technologies in the industry.

We Serve All of 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. We keep this broad service range to be a pillar of support for Virginian communities and bats, alike.

We Maintain Economy-Based Prices

Taking care of a home is a big responsibility that doesn’t come free. Here at Virginia Bat Pros, we understand this completely. As a locally-owned and operated company, we appreciate the value of a dollar, which is why we maintain the most competitive prices around for bat removal and control. You can trust us for honest estimates and fair prices.

More Reasons to Choose Us:

☑ Members of the Local Community
☑ 24 HR Emergency Services
☑ Safe & Humane Systems
☑ No Surprise Charges or Fees
☑ Free Estimates & Inspections
☑ Commercial & Residential Service
☑ Insurance Claim Compatible
☑ Superior Customer Support

Get Virginia Bat Removal and Control Today!

Contact us at 804-729-9097 to learn more about our Virginia bat removal services, and how to get started with your remediation, today. Request free estimates, information, or advice, anytime.

The Truth About Bats and Blindness

Have you heard that old adage, “blind as a bat?” Well, if you were a bat, you would be quite offended by this saying. That is because bats are not blind! They don’t even have poor eyesight really. It’s just another classic misconception and misunderstanding about this amazing and highly-beneficial mammalian species we call bats.

Continue reading to learn the real truth about bats and blindness, as well as, how to protect your property from any nuisance bat interference.

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

Bats are NOT Blind After All

Many people are aware that bats, Microbats specifically, use echolocation. For this reason, they wrongly assume that bats cannot see well. Yes, it is true that microbats (Microchiroptera) use echolocation to navigate around in the dark, but this is solely to help hunt prey more accurately. In fact, microbats can see quite well (and even hear quite well by the way), but they use their Echolocating abilities to navigate their course, as well as, dart and dash for prey at a more precise rate.

Bats Use Echolocation But Do Not Rely on it for Sight

Echolocation is also referred to as “biosonar”, which is a built-in biological system that works by measuring the returning echoes of emitted signals that bounce off surrounding objects. Many animals aside from bats use this type of built-in sonar system, including species of dolphins, porpoises, toothed whales, Killer whales, dwarf sperm whales, shrews, and some species of bird.

Megabats, also called Fruit bats, do not have echolocating abilities. They have big eyes and great vision, so they have no need for echolocation.

Echolocation is made possible through vocalizations that are produced by the larynx of microbats, but released through mouth and nostrils. There are a few species of Rousettus in the Megabat suborder that use a similar sonar system to Microbats, but in contrast to producing sounds in the larynx, they produce sounds by clicking their tongues.

When bats use echolocation, they emit signals in ultrasonic pulses over 15 kilohertz which then travel through the air and bounce off of surrounding objects. Bats analyze the returning sounds to identify the objects and assess the distance between them. The type of signals and sounds emitted by echolocating bats differ among species in many aspects, including frequency, length of call, intensity, and degree of modulations.

Do You See Bats Around Your House at Dusk?

Get Trusted Virginia Bat Removal and Control ASAP!

Call Virginia Bat Pros at 804-729-9097 for non-lethal bat removal and control assistance in Virginia. We serve all of Old Dominion, including 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.

Are Bats Dangerous Animals?

Bats are one of nature’s most fascinating mammals.  Not only do bats consume thousands of insects each night, their guano is an effective fertilizer used in multiple industries around the world.  With all of these positive characteristics in tow, what exactly makes a wild bat so dangerous to humans and pets? 

Continue reading to better understand why wild bats are dangerous and should be avoided at all costs by humans and domesticated animals.

Virginia Bat Removal and Control 804-729-9097
Man holding baby flying bat, trying to teach it to fly

Wild Bats Transmit Disease

There are various infectious diseases that bats can contract or carry.  These diseases are all hazardous to human and pet immune systems.  Bats are known to be carriers of the Rabies virus, Histoplasmosis, Leptospirosis, and even Salmonella.  All of these infections can be transferred, transmitted, and passed along to humans and pets; and they are all potentially fatal if left untreated.  

? Rabies

Rabies is a very well-known disease to the public.  This infection is often associated with rabid dogs, raccoons, and rats; however, the truth is, bats are common carriers of the Rabies virus as well. A simple bat bite is all it takes to transfer saliva and bacteria into a person’s blood stream.  Some bats are so tiny, a person or pet cannot even tell they were bitten.  Once signs of illness begin to show, it is imperative to seek medical attention immediately if a person has been bitten or had contact with a wild bat.

Rabies affects the brain and nervous system, eventually causing death if untreated.  Humans are required to get a series of painful shots to eliminate the threat of spreading the virus.  Pets, on the other hand, are difficult to save once they become infected.  The virus is often times unpredictable because its incubation stages can differ drastically.  It can incubate in humans’ weeks and months before showing signs of contagion.

? Histoplasmosis

Histoplasmosis is a disease that affects the upper respiratory system.  It is caused by the fungus Histoplasma Capsulatum, which occurs naturally in warm, moist climates.  It is widely spread by bat guano and other animal droppings.  To become infected, the spores simply have to be inhaled.  Common victims of this illness are homeowners with bat infestation problems, or miners and people that work underground or in cavernous environments.  Treatment is available and death is entirely avoidable; however, if left untreated, it can be quite devastating to whoever becomes infected.

? Leptospirosis

Leptospirosis is another common and potentially fatal infection carried and passed on by wild bats.  IT is a bacterial disease that is spread through bodily fluids, usually urine.  It is contracted the same way as Histoplasmosis, and usually by people in similar vocations, such as miners, meat workers, farmers, and veterinarians.  It is also fatal if left untreated, but it is easily treatable if caught in the early stages.

? Mites and Parasites

Aside from the above-mentioned diseases, bats can spread a wide range of parasites, such as lice, ticks, fleas, and mites. Although not fatal, these outbreaks can be quite uncomfortable, unhygienic, and difficult to eliminate. Parasites like these are very common, and they grow at incredibly fast rates. If such outbreaks are not managed efficiently, it can take a lot of time, money, and construction to resolve. Practically all bat infestations cause some kind of parasitic outbreak, most often, bat mites. See our blog, “Is a Bat Mite the Same Thing as a Bed Bug?” to learn how to distinguish bat mites from similar pests.

Virginia Bat Removal and 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. They serve all of Virginia, including Richmond, Petersburg, Short Pump, Lynchburg, Charlottesville, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Newport News, Virginia Beach, and all of their surrounding areas.

How to Get Started With Professional Bat Removal Service

Bats are amazing mammals, but they can also be a messy, costly, and dangerous nuisance if they come too close. If you discover or suspect a bat infestation within your home or property, it is strongly encouraged to act fact and contact a local wildlife abatement company for professional bat removal and cleanup services.

Continue below to learn exactly which steps to take to get started with professional bat removal service, and transform your property back to its original condition!

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

How to Get Rid of a Bat

Step One: Close Off the Area

If you discover a bat colony in your attic or other area of your home, you do not need to take any extra precautions to protect yourself and your loved ones from exposure other than closing off the room and keeping your distance until professional help arrives.

But, if you have a sole bat inside the living quarters of the home, like on a wall or flying around the basement, you need to immediately separate yourself, your family, and your pets from the area. From there, open a window or door in the vicinity, and close off all others, to encourage the bat to fly out. Remain in a safe, closed off area away from the bat until help arrives.

Step Two: Contact a Licensed Bat Control Company in Virginia

Look for a licensed and insured bat removal and control company in Virginia who can provide safe and humane service. See our blog, “State Laws Surrounding Wild Bats” to learn what you need to know about hiring a bat abatement company for bat removal services.

Step Three: Request and Schedule an On-Site Assessment

Your chosen bat removal service will arrive fully-equipped with the latest technologies and state-of-the-art equipment to implement a comprehensive, full-property inspection. Once they locate the bats, they will make a detailed, written report on which services you will need to restore your property back to a safe and sanitary condition.

Who to Call for Professional Bat Removal in Virginia

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 Could Be an Issue if Your House Has a Tile Roof

This time of year, bats are looking for dark and cozy places to call home for the season. Although common bat habitats generally include hollowed trees, abandoned mines, caves, rock crevices, and similar areas in nature, they sometimes choose our own residential structures if the opportunity presents itself. Frequent targets for nuisance bats are roofs and attics. They start their roosting beneath the shingles, and eventually make their way into the inner wall cavities and attic spaces of the property. And if you have a tiled roofing system, your home is an even bigger target for roosting bats.

Continue reading to learn how to detect a bat problem, and more importantly, how to get rid of them and protect your roof from now on.

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

Tile Roofing and Bat Roosting

Tile roofs are a common target for bats in search of a roosting spot because of their design. Not only are they easily accessible, due to their shape and curvature, tile shingles have an inner void that makes for the perfect roosting spot. Underneath a tile shingle, bats have darkness, warmth, and privacy. Clay tiles are especially targeted because the material actually retains the heat of the sun, which keeps the shingle void quite warm throughout hibernacula.

You might be wondering how an animal can even fit beneath such a small roof shingle, but they have no trouble at all. You see, bats in the Michigan areas are very tiny. Most of them can fit into a gap or hole as little as 3/8th of an inch, including the Little Brown bat, Big Brown bat, and the Hoary bat. That is about the size of a nickel! This means they can fit through the tiniest opening, within siding, roofing, crumbling mortar, dry rotting wood, soffits, attic vents, exterior cracks, and anything else that permits access.

Bat Proofing Your Roof

There are products on the market that you can have installed in or around your roofing system to prevent nuisance animal intrusion. These products are eco-friendly and humane for wildlife, including bats. They range in price depending on quantity, quality, scope, and installation. Although they work well, these products only solve half of your nuisance bat problem.

There are additional steps that must take place in order to thwart nuisance bat activity around your property. Methods include full-property inspections, gap sealing, environmental modifications and monitoring, integrated pest management, restoration of bat damages, and more. How can you ensure these needs are met? You simply contact a local and trusted Michigan bat removal and control company for expert assistance at an affordable price.

How to Get Rid of Bats in Virginia

Call Virginia Bat Pros at 804-729-9097 when you need to get rid of bats in Virginia. We use safe and humane methods to deliver effective 24 hour bat control for residential and commercial properties throughout Virginia. We also offer restoration and repair services for damages caused by bats. We serve all of Virginia, including Richmond, Petersburg, Short Pump, Lynchburg, Charlottesville, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Newport News, Virginia Beach, and all of their surrounding areas.

Interesting Facts About the Species We Call Bats

Learning about bats will not only change your mind about them, it will give you a deeper appreciation for all the positive contributions they provide to our local economies, Eco-systems, and more. Continue reading to learn some of the most interesting and fascinating facts about bats, including what to do if you have a nuisance bat problem in or around your property.

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

Bats are the Only Mammal Capable of True Flight

Many people are surprised to learn that bats are actually mammals. But what’s most shocking about this fact is that bats are the only mammal in the world that is capable of true flight. Other mammals, like the flying squirrel, have the ability to leap, jump, soar, or float over great distances, but bats are the only ones who can actually take and maintain flight just like a bird. Now that’s a cool fact!

There are Two Main Species of Bats

All bats can be put into one of two categories: Microchiroptera or Megachiroptera. Microchiroptera, or microbats, are small Echolocating species that mostly consume insects, rodents, birds, and amphibians. These are the types of bats we see here in Virginia. In contrast, Megachiroptera species are much larger and have pronounced visual cortexes. They are primarily found in warmer, tropical regions of the world. Because their diets mostly consist of nectar and pollen from fruits and plants, they are referred to as fruit bats. The Little Brown Bat is an example of Microchiroptera species, and the Flying Fox is an example of a Megachiroptera species.

Bats Are Not Blind

Microchiroptera, or microbats, use echolocation to help hunt their prey and navigate around in the dark; however, they are not blind. In fact, microbats can see quite well (and hear quite well), but they use their Echolocating abilities to navigate their course, as well as, dart and dash for prey at a more precise rate. Megabats, or fruit bats, do not have Echolocating abilities. They have big eyes and great vision, so they have no need for echolocation.

Bats are 20% of the Entire Mammalia Species

There are more than 900 species of bats in the world, all broken up into different categories and classifications. The Chiroptera Order is the first class in which bats are categorized. From there they are split into suborders, genera, and then species. This amount adds up to nearly a quarter of all the mammals in the animal kingdom.

Bats Consume Over 1,000 Insects Every Hour

Bats are incredibly important parts of our surrounding Eco-system for many reasons, and one is pest control. Because bats consume an average of 1000 insects per hour every night, they make outdoor activities much more comfortable and enjoyable. Bats are an excellent method of mosquito control; and they don’t charge for their services! They also help protect surrounding plant life and gardens from insect interference and over-infestation.

It is Against the Law to Trap, Harm, or Kill Bats

Most states forbid anyone from harming, trapping, or killing bats without the proper permits. Bats are a vital part of our Eco-system; they should never be exterminated unless they are infected with a fatal or infectious disease, or injured beyond the point of rehabilitation. Only licensed wildlife rescue organizations have the resources and permissions to put a sick or injured bat down. Never attempt to touch, trap, harm, or kill bats. Not only is it likely illegal in Virginia, it is highly unethical and inhumane. If you have a problem with nuisance bats on your property, contact a licensed Virginia bat removal and control company for safe and humane assistance permitted under law.

Where to Get Safe, Non-Lethal Bat Control Service

Call Virginia Bat Pros at 804-729-9097 for safe and humane bat removal and control in Virginia. 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 to request a free estimate, anytime.