Learn About Rabies Awareness For World Rabies Day

Posted on September 28, 2021 by virginia

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!

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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 804-729-9097

Top 3 Most Common Bat Diseases in Virginia

Posted on February 12, 2021 by virginia

Bats can be dangerous to pets and humans. One of the main reasons why this is true has to do with the illnesses and infections that bats can pass along. Bats should be avoided at all costs in order to prevent becoming infected with a harmful disease. Although bats are known carriers of several transmissible diseases and illnesses, the top three most common bat diseases here in Virginia are what you should be concerned about.

Continue reading to learn more about the Rabies Virus, Histoplasmosis, and bat parasites, as well as what to do if you pose a threat of bat encounters on your property.

Virginia Bat Removal and Control 804-729-9097 — A Typical Bat Mite (Cimex Hemipterus)

❶ Rabies Virus

This disease is the most common illness associated with bats, especially in Virginia. Not all bats carry rabies, but it is very common for them to be carriers of the disease. This means, no matter what, assume all bats have rabies in the wild. It is never a good idea to take a chance. Rabies has to be treated with a series of shots and injections to prevent further harm. Pets are common victims of bat bites and attacks, and should be given rabies vaccinations at the time of adoption.

❷ Bat Mites

Much less serious than rabies, but still extremely unpleasant, are bat mites, which can carry their own dangerous and infectious diseases themselves. Many people often mistake a case of bat mites for a case of bed bugs. Both infestations produce the same symptoms, itching, rash, small surface bumps. These mites are tiny little parasites that feed on bats. Treatments include aerosol bombs, insecticide treatments, and professional bat exclusion services.

❸ Histoplasmosis

This is a lung disease caused by a fungus named Histoplasma Capsulatum. Bats serve as the host of this fungus, which grows on bat droppings. Overtime, the spores become airborne and travel through the home or building’s ventilation systems. Upon inhalation, the spores can cause serious eye, lung, and other respiratory infections. If you suspect that your home or property has a bat infestation, you may have a Histoplasmosis problem as well. Have the entire vicinity inspected by a professional who retains proper equipment and training to accurately identify bat threats. Cryptococcosis is another possible bat disease that is similar to Histoplasmosis, but more often found in bird droppings.

Where to Get Professional Virginia Bat Removal Service You Can Count On

Call Virginia Bat Pros at 804-729-9097 to get rid of bats, or for emergency bat removal in Richmond, VA and all surrounding townships. In fact, our licensed and insured bat control specialists maintain a broad service area to keep up with the continuous demand for reputable bat abatement, and serve all areas of Old Dominion, including Petersburg, Short Pump, Lynchburg, Charlottesville, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Newport News, Virginia Beach, and much more. We are happy to find the right solutions for your nuisance bat problems that fit your budget. We also perform insurance claim work for attic restorations and cleanup needed after bat damages or an infestation. Request a free quote or bat control advice, anytime.

Do Bats Have Lice?

Posted on January 31, 2020 by virginia

When it comes to finding a bat infestation within your home or building, one of your first concerns, aside from structural damage, is health. Are bats diseased? Do they spread contagious illnesses or parasites? The answers to these questions are very important, mostly because they are true. Fortunately, there are safe and effective remedies for cleaning up after a bat infestation, so long as you choose the right provider for the job.

Continue reading to learn which diseases and health threats bat infestations can pose to humans and pets, as well as, how to resolve one as soon as possible.

Bat Diseases

By far, the most stigmatized disease surrounding bats is Rabies. Although bats are known carriers of the deadly virus, it does not mean that all bats are actually infected. If they are infected, bats can spread the virus to both humans and other animals through blood, mucus, or saliva. Because the virus attacks the central nervous system, there is no cure, making it 100% fatal. For this reason, it is vital to keep pets properly vaccinated. If you find a dead, injured, or abandoned bat on your property, see our blog, “What To Do If You Find a Bat” for proper instructions.

Aside from the Rabies virus, 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.

Histoplasmosis

Histoplasmosis is a not an illness that is spread by infected bats, but rather, a result of an on-going bat infestation. Histoplasmosis is a serious lung infection that is caused by over-exposure to fungal spores that grow on bat droppings (guano). These Histoplasma capsulatum fungal spores develop on bat guano, and then become airborne. Upon inhalation, pets and people can become infected. Some people may experience more severe complications if it spreads to other parts of the body, known as Disseminated Histoplasmosis. It is especially serious for those with suppressed immune systems, such as babies and elderly folk.

Virginia Bat Removal and Cleanup Services

Call Virginia Bat Pros at 804-729-9097 if you have bats in the attic or other area of your home. Our licensed and insured bat removal and control professionals offer full-service bat extraction and exclusion, as well as, comprehensive cleanup and restoration for bat damages. We serve all of Richmond, Virginia and its surrounding counties. Request a free estimate or advice, today!

How Many Bats Have Rabies?

Posted on May 13, 2019 by virginia

In our last blog, When Should a Bat Be Captured and Tested for Rabies?, you learned a little about the threat of a fatal virus called Rabies. However, there are several misconceptions regarding the Rabies virus and its impact on our local bat populations. Fortunately, there is more than enough data to help us clear up the confusion surrounding the spread of this deadly disease. If you live near forests, woods, or large bodies of water, or work in an environment where bat exposure is possible, you may be very interested in learning the truth.

Continue reading to learn more about the Rabies virus, including how much of the bat population is actually affected, and what you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones from threat.

The Rabies Virus

Let’s start this discussion by reviewing what Rabies actually is, medically and biologically speaking. You see, Rabies is a virus that attacks the central nervous system and causes inflammation of the brain. It is caused by Lyssavirus, which is a genus of RNA viruses, and transmitted by the blood or saliva of a host or infected animal.

Symptoms are often an onset of several reactions to the virus, initially including headache, fever, and a tingling sensation at the infection site, and eventually maturing into violent movements, loss of muscle control, aggression, confusion, and loss of consciousness. Once symptoms appear, death will soon follow.

Rabid Animals

The natural hosts for the Rabies virus are mammals and vertebrates, which are referred to as rabies vector species. This means that any mammal, including humans, can be carriers and transmitters of the disease. One of the most common animals that are given the stigma of rabies are bats. But the truth is, less than half of 1% of all bats in the world actually carry rabies (batworld.org). However, there is still a need for caution.

You should treat every bat as if it is a carrier by simply keeping your distance. Bats are protected by law, and serve a vital ecological and economical importance to our society, so it is important to never attempt to touch, harm, trap, or kill bats. Instead, admire them from afar, and if they become a nuisance to your property, enlist the help of a licensed Virginia bat control company for safe and humane service.

Rabies Prevention

Although once contracted Rabies is 100% fatal, it is also 100% preventable. First and foremost, be sure to have your pets vaccinated on an annual basis for the Rabies virus. Next, be sure to have yourself vaccinated if you work, live, or frequent places that put you at a higher risk of rabid animal exposure, such as zoo workers, vet clinic staff, spelunkers, miners, lumberjacks, animal control workers, wilderness jobs, and more.

Virginia Bat Removal and Control

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.