If you have a nuisance bat problem in or around your house, be wise and hire a professional for licensed bat removal service. If you attempt to get rid of bats on your own, you may be unknowingly subjecting yourself to some very serious consequences. Fifty thousand of them to be exact. Not only can tampering with the wrong species of bat land you in the civil hotseat, but it might also force you to pay a fine higher than your annual income.

Continue reading to learn how DIY bat removal can lead to a $50,000 fine, plus what you should do instead if you have bats on your property.

Professional Bat Removal Richmond Virginia 804-729-9097

Federal Laws Regarding Endangered and Threatened Bats

In general, it is illegal to capture a bat and let it go in the wild somewhere else. It is also illegal to poison any animal on residential property other than rats and mice. Aside from these two important critter laws, there are additional legal matters regarding threatened and engendered species, which are both Federally-protected. Here in Virginia, we are home to 15 species of bat, but three are listed as threatened or endangered: the Gray bat, Indiana bat, and Virginia Big-Eared bat.

Most bats in Virginia look alike, so being able to identify and distinguish one species from the next is not something the average homeowner can do. If you were to unknowingly touch, harm, trap, capture, or kill one of these three species of endangered or threatened bat species, you could face a lot of legal trouble: namely, fines.

Fines for Tampering With an Endangered or Threatened Bat

The Endangered Species Act sets forth specific regulations and limitations that protect endangered or threatened animals. It 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. Violating the laws governed by the Endangered Species Act will result in a misdemeanor or felony charge.

Most violations of the Endangered Species Act are charged as Class A Misdemeanors, which come with a mandatory $2,500 fine, plus up to one year in county jail. Felony violations involving a threatened species of bat will result in a fine of $25,000 and possibly up to 6 months in prison. Felony violations involving an endangered bat species will result in a fine of $50,000 and possibly up to 6 months in federal prison.

Virginia State Laws for Bats

There are important state laws surrounding wild bats you should be aware of. 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.”

If you believe you might be dealing with an endangered or threatened bat species, contact the Virginia game official or wildlife warden in your area. You may also contact a licensed and insured bat removal and control company for qualified assistance.

Are you trying to manage a nuisance bat problem in or around your property? Contact Virginia Bat Pros at 804-729-9097 for licensed and insured bat removal and control you can afford. We serve residential and commercial clients.

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

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.

Virginia Bat Pros

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How Do-It-Yourself Bat Removal Can Lead to a 50 Thousand Dollar Fine