Why DIY Bat Removal Is Dangerous (and Often Illegal) in Richmond
Bats often move into attic spaces because they’re dark, warm, and quiet – similar to the caves and tree hollows they naturally choose. If bats have taken up residence in your attic, it’s highly recommended to have them removed. Not only can bats carry rabies, but their droppings can also contaminate your insulation and create real health risks. While it may be tempting to try removing them yourself, DIY bat removal is NOT recommended, as it can pose serious health and safety risks and can have legal implications in Virginia.
If bats have infiltrated your attic, contact the experts at Critter Authority today for safe, professional bat removal services in Richmond and surrounding areas at (804) 492-2804 or by submitting a contact form!
Why DIY Methods Don’t Work
Homeowners can be tempted to remove bats from attic spaces themselves because they think it might save money, or they think it’s a quick fix to a simple problem, but many don’t understand that DIY bat removal is often ineffective and typically ends up wasting time, money, and effort.
Some of the main issues with DIY bat removal are:
- DIY methods are often ineffective in the long term because bats return nightly to the same roost, and simply shooing them out without proper exclusion work won’t solve the problem.
- If you seal the entry points without ensuring all the bats are gone, you may trap them inside, which can lead to them dying in your attic.
- Store-bought repellents and traps are often ineffective and unsafe, and in some cases, can be illegal.
Outside of issues with DIY removal often being ineffective, removing bats yourself can also pose serious risks to your health, safety and home.
The Dangers of DIY Bat Removal
Attempting to remove bats by yourself can carry serious health risks:
- Rabies: Bats can bite or scratch when handled and are major carriers of rabies, and because the injuries can be so small in size, you might not even realize you were bitten or scratched.
- Histoplasmosis: When handled or moved, bat droppings (known as “guano”) can release the spores that cause the fungal lung infection histoplasmosis.
In addition to health risks, you may also face structural and safety hazards if you attempt to remove bats yourself:
- Spreading Through Home: Improper handling can scatter bats throughout the house, sending them into living areas when they were previously only in the attic.
- Damage to Home: DIY attempts may lead to damage to insulation drywall and wiring.
- Worsening Contamination: Handling the problem on your own can also leave droppings behind, leading to long-term contamination.
Outside of the risks to your health, safety and home, there are also a number of legal restrictions around bat removal, both on the federal and state level.
Legal Restrictions in Virginia
Bats are both federally protected and protected by the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources. Bat populations are federally protected because they are endangered due to our encroachment on their natural habitats, as well as the proliferation of white nose syndrome, a fungal disease that can kill entire caves full of bats. The following are some of the biggest restrictions on bat removal:
- It’s illegal to evict bats during the maternity season when their pups are flightless, typically May through August.
- It is also illegal to evict bats during hibernation season, and disobeying these laws can lead to fines and penalties.
- During the time of year when bat removal is legal, it’s important that you use humane exclusion methods that comply with state and federal law.
The Right Way to Handle Bat Problems
The best way to avoid the health, safety, and legal risks that come with bat problems is to hire a professional. Bat removal experts have the training, experience, and proper protective gear to remove bats safely and legally, while also providing long-term solutions that keep them from coming back.
At Critter Authority, our team of wildlife removal experts has years of experience in bat removal in Richmond. We will first conduct a comprehensive inspection and identify any entry points, followed up by the use of safe one-way exclusion devices that let bats out, but not back in. Our professionals can then safely remove bat guano and replace any contaminated insulation. Finally, we can repair any damage and seal off all the entry points to prevent future infiltrations in the long-term.
Best Bat Removal Service in Richmond
DIY bat removal methods can be risky, costly, and even unlawful in some cases. Don’t risk removing bats from your attic space yourself – leave it to the experts at Critter Authority! Our team offers safe, humane, and legal bat removal services. If you think you have bats in your attic space, don’t wait for the problem to get worse, contact us today to get started at (804) 492-2804 or by filling out our contact form!