Call (804) 729-0046 or toll-free (888) 824-7383
The tri-colored bat is also known as the eastern pipistrelle and is one of Virginia’s smaller bat species. Its scientific name is Perimyotis subflavus (it was once classified as Pipistrellus subflavus).
Bats are important for insect control, but bats should not be living in your attic, walls, or vents. If you have bats in your home, we provide safe, humane bat removal (bat exclusion) throughout Virginia.
Quick ID – What Makes the Tri-colored Bat “Tri-colored”
Tri-colored bats are small, and their fur hairs often show three bands of color (dark base, lighter middle, darker tip), which is where the name comes from.
They are one of the smaller bats in the eastern U.S. and can be hard to identify without experience—especially because juveniles and adults can look different.
Where Tri-colored Bats Live in Virginia
Tri-colored bats occur across Virginia. They typically use caves/mines for winter hibernation, and may roost in trees/foliage, rock crevices, and sometimes buildings during warmer months.
What Tri-colored Bats Eat
Tri-colored bats eat small flying insects (often including flies, moths, beetles, and more).
That’s why they’re beneficial outdoors—but they can still create major issues when they roost in structures.
Important Note – White-Nose Syndrome and Conservation
Many bat species in the East have been heavily impacted by white-nose syndrome (WNS), and the tri-colored bat has experienced severe declines in parts of its range.
That’s one reason humane exclusion matters.
Bats in the Attic or a Bat in the House
If a bat is in your living space:
What to do right now
- Keep people and pets away from the bat.
- If you can do so safely, close the bat into one room.
- Do not try to catch it with bare hands.
- If there is any chance of contact (especially with a sleeping person, child, or pet), follow local public health guidance about rabies testing and medical advice.
If you suspect attic activity, start with Bats in the Attic.
Our Humane Bat Removal Process (What Works)
1) Inspection and entry point identification
We locate where bats are getting in (roofline gaps, vents, siding gaps, dormers, and other construction openings).
2) Humane exclusion (getting bats out safely)
We use exclusion techniques that let bats leave and prevent re-entry.
3) Seal-out and prevention
We seal the structure with bat-resistant materials so the problem doesn’t repeat. In many cases, this is part of a broader animal exclusion service plan.
4) Optional guano cleanup and restoration
If needed, we provide guidance and services for guano cleanup and contaminated insulation concerns.
FAQ – Tri-colored Bats in Virginia
The tri-colored bat has faced major threats from white-nose syndrome, and conservation status can vary by agency and time.
They can roost in or on structures at times, but many tri-colored bats also use natural roost sites. If they’re using your home, exclusion and seal-out is the right fix.
In most real-world attic situations, repellents don’t solve the problem. The lasting solution is exclusion + sealing entry points.
Not until you’re sure bats are out. Sealing too early can trap bats inside and create a much bigger problem.
A trained professional using humane bat exclusion and proper seal-out steps. Contact us.
Related Bat Pages
You can also compare this species on our Virginia Bat Species page, and for more common structure-roosting species see Big Brown Bat and Little Brown Bat.
Service areas: 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.
Request Service
Please complete our contact form below:
Call for Bat Removal in Virginia
Call (804) 729-0046 or toll-free (888) 824-7383