Contact Us at (804) 729-0046 or toll-free at (888) 824-7383
The little brown bat is a small insect-eating bat found across most of Virginia and is one of the species most likely to use buildings. It was once one of the most common bats in the state, but populations have declined due to white-nose syndrome.
If you have little brown bats or other bats in your attic, vents, or living space, we provide safe, humane bat removal and bat exclusion statewide in Virginia.
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/window and turn off interior lights.
- If the bat won’t leave, call a professional.
If a bat was found in a bedroom (especially with a sleeping person, child, or pet), contact a medical professional for guidance.
Identifying Characteristics of the Little Brown Bat
Virginia DWR notes adult little brown bats are about 3.2–3.8 inches long, weigh about 0.2–0.45 ounces, and have a wingspan of 8.7–10.7 inches.
Common ID clues:
- Dark brown back with a lighter underside (gray to white)
- Large feet with heavily furred toes (a helpful way to separate it from some similar Myotis bats)
Where Little Brown Bats Live in Virginia
Virginia DWR reports little brown bats are found throughout most of Virginia, except for a few portions of southeast Virginia.
They commonly:
- Hibernate in caves in western Virginia
- Form maternity colonies during warm months (often in manmade structures such as old buildings, churches, and bridges)
- Use a wide range of habitats and can use human-made structures as resting and maternity sites
What Little Brown Bats Eat
Virginia DWR lists midges as a staple, and also notes tiny flies, moths, mosquitoes, and beetles.
Maternity Season and Why Exclusion Timing Matters
When bats are roosting in a building, the long-term solution is exclusion (not trapping or repellents). But timing matters.
Virginia DWR advises the best time to exclude bats from a building is before they enter in spring or after they leave in fall, to avoid trapping young inside.
The Wildlife Center of Virginia notes many bat species in Virginia give birth in May or June, and pups often remain in the roost about 4–6 weeks until they can fly well.
Our Virginia Bat Removal and Exclusion Approach
1) Inspection and species-aware plan
We locate entry points, roost areas, and signs of activity.
2) Safe removal (when a bat is inside)
We help remove bats from living spaces safely and reduce the risk of repeat entry.
3) Humane exclusion (best long-term fix)
- Seal secondary gaps
- Install one-way exit devices (when seasonally safe)
- Confirm bats are out
- Permanently seal the final openings
4) Cleanup guidance (when needed)
If guano is present, we’ll explain safe options and next steps. Learn more about bat guano removal.
Conservation Note
Virginia DWR lists the little brown bat as a Species of Greatest Conservation Need (Tier 1a) and notes white-nose syndrome as the primary threat.
FAQ: Little Brown Bat in Virginia
They were historically very common, but Virginia DWR notes declines due to white-nose syndrome.
They can. USFWS notes they often use human-made structures for resting and maternity sites. If you suspect attic activity, see Bats in the Attic.
Virginia DWR recommends bat exclusion either before bats enter in spring (before pups are born) or after the pups can fly and leave the roost. If bats leave the building in the fall, exclusion can also be done then.
Virginia DWR lists midges, tiny flies, moths, mosquitoes, and beetles.
Yes. We provide bat removal and exclusion statewide throughout most of Virginia.
Related Bat Pages
You can also compare this species on our Virginia Bat Species page or learn about another common house-roosting species on our Big Brown Bat page.
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 Little Brown Bats in Virginia
Please complete our simple contact form below:
Contact Us at (804) 729-0046 or toll-free at (888) 824-7383