Rabies is one of the biggest health concerns for households with unwelcome bats on the premises. Unlike domestic dogs and cats which are typically vaccinated to prevent infection, bats can carry and transmit rabies from one animal to another – including humans. You shouldn’t minimize the risk of rabies, but less than 3% of bats in Virginia have been shown to carry the deadly virus.

Because a rabid bat’s behaviour frequently puts them in contact with people and their pets, such as flying during the day or on the ground because they’re unable to fly, the transmission of rabies can occur quite easily through accident or if someone tries to handle a grounded bat themselves. It’s also been known for bats to attack when ill with the disease. What’s more, the virus can continue to thrive in the dead carcass of a bat.

Luckily, if you’re bitten by a bat with rabies, you can prevent getting the disease with prompt medical attention and a vaccination; most domestic animals should be protected from infection if vaccinated regularly.

Another potential disease connected to bat problems is histoplasmosis, which is a common lung disease caused by a microscopic fungus called H. capsulatum. The fungus thrives in nitrogen rich soil, which is often created as a result of large deposits of bat guano (poop) and waste from birds like the common starling and pigeon. It’s the unique combination of rotting bat guano and soil that makes the environmental conditions just right for the fungus.

The fungus will then accumulate and be transmitted by the bats from one site – such as roosts in caves, barns, belfries and attics – to another. This puts bat infested buildings and households in danger of readily coming into contact with, or breathing in, the disturbed spores; therefore, increasing the chance of the inhabitants contracting the histoplasmosis disease.

So if you’re a spelunker, nature explorer, pest control technician, or just an everyday person who decided to clean out the attic or barn – you could be at risk. Unfortunately, chronic or progressive lung disease can result from infection, along with associated sickness such as cough and fever. In rarer situations, it’s even been known to be fatal.

You might find it hard to determine if you have a bat problem because they’re nocturnal and quick moving. So the more you learn about the signs and behavior of bats – the faster you’ll be able to assess the situation and take the steps to resolve it.

By now, you might have determined you’ve got a bat problem and need to hire a local bat removal company to get rid of the bats. If you do see a bat in your house, then it disappears, don’t think it’s gone for good. It’s probably slipped back into a safe haven through some tiny gap, or is hiding behind a curtain or piece of furniture, waiting for you to go away before reappearing.

1. Isolate it.
   The first step you need to take once you’ve determined you have a bat in your home is to try and isolate the bat to a single room. For instance, if it’s flown into a bedroom or bathroom – close the door. If the bat (or bats) are in your attic or another building, just try to close any escape routes, but only if it’s safe for you to do so.  Note: You never want to seal bat entry without first having the bats safely and humanely removed by our bat control experts.
2. Don’t touch it.
   If the bat has been grounded, or is in close proximity – remove children and pets and do not touch it. If any of your household has come into physical contact with the bat, they will need to get tested for rabies by their physician, pediatrician or local Virginia Health Department.
3. Call us.
   Once you’ve ascertained you have a bat colony, isolated the bat (if possible), and relocated your family or pets to a safe place, contact us immediately – anytime. One of our friendly wildlife control technicians will be able to talk you through any issues and give you complete peace of mind by knowing we’re now on the case.

We’ll then schedule a time to come out and further assess the situation and safely and humanely remove the bats from your property.*

As Bat Removal & Exclusion Professionals in Virginia, we are registered with, and highly recommend by, the Bat Conservation International society. What’s more, our team is the only local company where all of our bat experts are NWCOA Bat Standards Compliant Certified specialist. That means we don’t just remove the bats safely, we treat them with the utmost care we can, and respect them as the beneficial creatures they are.

Once removed, we’ll ensure they don’t return. We can also remove just a single bat, as well as perform the very important process of bat guano clean-up, throughout the entire state of Virginia.

Lastly, we’re not just about bat removal & control – we’re about continuous improvement, being leaders in our field, and ensuring our customers get the satisfaction and service they deserve. Don’t let the untrained or inexperienced handle something that can adversely affect your family, children and pets. Call us at (804) 729-9103 today to see how we can resolve your bat problem in a safe, efficient and humane way.

*We normally do not perform bat removals during the bat birthing period of May through July*