(Tadarida brasiliensis)
Call (804) 729-0046 or toll-free (888) 824-7383
Quick help if you have bats in an attic or building
If you have bats in your attic, vents, chimney, or walls, don’t try to remove them yourself. Instead, schedule a professional inspection. Virginia Professional Wildlife Removal Services provides safe, humane bat exclusion and prevention across Virginia.
Description and identification
The Brazilian free-tailed bat belongs to the Molossidae family. It has a tail that extends beyond the flight membrane, which is why people call it ‘free-tailed. Compared to some bats, it looks fairly plain. However, it has several features that stand out:
- Brown fur
- Large ears that look nearly square
- A noticeably wrinkled upper lip
- Long, narrow wings with pointed tips (built for fast flight)
- Short, powerful hind legs that help it climb
Because this species can fly fast and travel far, people sometimes notice large feeding swarms at dusk in parts of its range.
Biology and behavior
Brazilian free-tailed bats show some impressive behaviors. For example, they can form extremely large colonies and may leave roosts at dusk in huge “streams” of bats.
They use echolocation to hunt and often feed on:
- Moths
- Beetles
- Flying ants
- Leafhoppers
Females typically give birth to one pup and nurse it for several weeks. Meanwhile, many adult males stay farther south in parts of the range and do not assist with rearing young.
Because colonies can be large, roost sites may accumulate significant guano (bat droppings) over time. As a result, guano cleanup can become an important part of resolving an attic or roost problem.
Distribution and Virginia Notes
Despite the name, the Brazilian free-tailed bat is widely distributed across parts of North, Central, and South America. In the United States, it is typically associated with warmer regions. That said, there have been reports of occurrence in southeastern Virginia.
If you’re dealing with bats in a Virginia building, the exact species often matters less than using the right humane exclusion solution. Therefore, the best next step is a professional inspection and a humane exclusion plan.
What to do if you suspect free-tailed bats in a building
If bats are inside a structure:
- Do not seal entry points immediately (you can trap bats inside).
- Avoid repellents and “bat deterrent” gadgets that don’t solve entry gaps.
- Schedule an inspection so a pro can identify entry points and roost areas.
- Use humane bat exclusion, which lets bats exit and prevents re-entry.
- Seal and repair gaps, vents, soffits, and roofline openings.
- Address guano and odor if needed, so the site is less attractive in the future.
If you suspect attic activity, start with Bats in the Attic.
Humane Bat Removal in Virginia
For fast, safe, and humane Virginia bat removal, call (804) 729-0046 or toll-free (888) 824-7383. We can answer questions about bats in attics, bat exclusion timing, guano cleanup, and prevention.
You can also compare this species on our Virginia Bat Species page.
Service Areas: Statewide
We provide bat removal and bat control across the Central Virginia, Northern Virginia, Tidewater / Hampton Roads, and the Shenandoah Valley / Southwest Virginia regions.
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