Contact Us at (804) 729-0046 or toll-free at (888) 824-7383
The Hoary Bat (Lasiurus cinereus) is Virginia’s largest bat and is known for its frosted, “hoary” fur. It is a tree bat that roosts in foliage and is rarely found in houses, but a bat can occasionally end up in a garage, porch area, or inside a home by accident.
If you have bats in your attic or a bat in your living space, we provide statewide Virginia bat removal and exclusion (wildlife removal + pest control).
Bat in the House in Virginia? What to Do First
- Keep people and pets away and close interior doors to isolate the bat to one room.
- If safe, open an exterior door or window and turn off interior lights.
- If the bat won’t leave, call a professional.
If a bat was found in a bedroom or there’s any chance of contact (sleeping person, child, or pet), contact a medical professional for guidance.
Hoary Bat Identification (Key Characteristics)
Virginia DWR notes hoary bats are the largest bat in the Commonwealth, measuring about 5.1–5.9 inches long and weighing 0.75–1.5 ounces.
Common ID clues:
- Long fur with white-tipped hairs that create a frosted/hoary look
- Distinct color pattern with banded hairs and pale patches near the shoulders/wrists
- Short, rounded ears with a dark edge
Where Hoary Bats Live in Virginia
Hoary bats are a tree-roosting species. They spend the day well-hidden in foliage and tend to roost near woodland edges and clearings. They are also migratory and move seasonally.
Because they’re tree bats, they almost never form attic colonies the way some building-roosting bats do.
What Hoary Bats Eat
Hoary bats are insect-eaters that hunt on the wing. They often feed over forests, forest edges, clearings, and water. Their prey commonly includes moths and other flying insects.
Do Hoary Bats Live in Houses?
Most of the time, no. Bat Conservation International notes hoary bats are solitary and seldom enter houses, since they prefer roosting in trees.
If you have bats consistently using your attic, it is more likely a building-adapted species (like big brown bats or little brown bats). We can inspect and identify what’s happening.
Our Virginia Bat Removal and Exclusion Approach
1) Inspection and species-aware plan
We identify likely species, entry points, and roosting signs.
2) Safe removal (when a bat is inside)
We remove bats from living spaces safely and help reduce the chance of repeat entry.
3) Exclusion and prevention (long-term fix)
When bats are using a structure, the long-term solution is professional exclusion:
- Seal secondary gaps
- Install one-way exits when appropriate and seasonally safe
- Final seal after bats are confirmed out
If you suspect attic activity, see Bats in the Attic. If guano is present, see Bat Guano Removal in Virginia.
FAQ: Hoary Bat in Virginia
Yes. Virginia DWR calls the hoary bat the largest bat found in the Commonwealth.
Usually not. Hoary bats are tree bats and Bat Conservation International notes they seldom enter houses.
They may be hunting insects near lights or traveling during migration. A single bat sighting outside is often normal.
Isolate it to one room if possible, keep people/pets away, and call for help if needed. If contact may have occurred (bedroom situation), seek medical guidance.
Yes. We provide statewide Virginia bat removal and exclusion.
Related Bat Pages
You can also compare this species on our Virginia Bat Species page and see other tree-bat pages such as Eastern Red Bat and Silver-haired Bat.
Service Area: Statewide Virginia
We provide service across the Central Virginia, Northern Virginia, Tidewater / Hampton Roads, and the Shenandoah Valley / Southwest Virginia regions.
For the full list of the cities, counties and towns where we provide service, visit:
If you don’t see your city listed, contact us—we often serve nearby areas and can confirm availability quickly.
Contact Us About Bats in Virginia
Please complete our simple contact form below:
Contact Us at (804) 729-0046 or toll-free at (888) 824-7383