How to move bats out of the loft?
Discussion
Had the rat catcher in the other day thinking rats in the loft but he see's evidence of bat poo, so we think we have bats in the loft (old house hard to see beyond chimneys etc). Now the little buggers are noisy during the night and waking me up from ones beauty sleep.
I believe they're a protected species but is there a friendly way to move them on, the way they scratch around up there i swear they'll come through the ceiling (i have garlic and a cross on the bedside table in anticipation for this)
Genuinely though is there a way to move bats on without causing harm?
I believe they're a protected species but is there a friendly way to move them on, the way they scratch around up there i swear they'll come through the ceiling (i have garlic and a cross on the bedside table in anticipation for this)
Genuinely though is there a way to move bats on without causing harm?
Yes, they're protected (and endangered).
Might be worth a call to the Bat Conservation Trust to confirm how best to proceed.
Might be worth a call to the Bat Conservation Trust to confirm how best to proceed.
Best to call the Bat Conservation Trust or a local ecology consultancy for advice.
Its illegal to disturb/destroy a roost, although you could possibly perform a legal exclusion it would require someone with a bat licence, and providing a replacement roost/mitigation through bat boxes etc.
Its illegal to disturb/destroy a roost, although you could possibly perform a legal exclusion it would require someone with a bat licence, and providing a replacement roost/mitigation through bat boxes etc.
outnumbered said:
Just out of interest, does anyone ever actually get done for disturbing bats ?
For all they are supposed to be endangered, they seem pretty common everywhere I've lived.
Do you live in a cave or belfry? On a serious note they need our protection. ;-) I'd love them in my attic.For all they are supposed to be endangered, they seem pretty common everywhere I've lived.
At risk of stating the bleedin obvious, they're more soundly asleep than you are at this time of year (and in the summer are out hunting when you're in bed).
It's therefore reasonably unlikely that what's scratching around keeping you awake are bats. More likely to be rats, mice or squirrels (the latter only partially hibernate).
It's therefore reasonably unlikely that what's scratching around keeping you awake are bats. More likely to be rats, mice or squirrels (the latter only partially hibernate).
Equus said:
At risk of stating the bleedin obvious, they're more soundly asleep than you are at this time of year (and in the summer are out hunting when you're trying to get you're in bed).
It's therefore reasonably unlikely that what's scratching around keeping you awake are bats. More likely to be rats, mice or squirrels (the latter only partially hibernate).
I was just going to say exactly the same thing. It's therefore reasonably unlikely that what's scratching around keeping you awake are bats. More likely to be rats, mice or squirrels (the latter only partially hibernate).
Yes people do get "done", some species might be fairly numerous but they are vulnerable to habitat loss, from people such as yourself wanting to move them on. As others have said it is winter and they are hibernating so any current noises won't be bats. Even in summer I would doubt it is bats that you can hear, because of their roosting patterns/behaviour. Most people are unaware they have bats in their loft unless it is vast numbers, in which case any disturbance/roost destruction would cost you dearly...
If you are wanting to do a loft conversion, then fair enough you would need to move them on, with a licence in place.
If you did fancy breaking the law (which I would not recommend!) by knowingly blocking up entrance holes probably best doing it in winter, when they've left for hibernation sites rather than blocking them in to die during summer, as someone suggested.
My partner is bat person/ecologist hence my boring bat knowledge
If you are wanting to do a loft conversion, then fair enough you would need to move them on, with a licence in place.
If you did fancy breaking the law (which I would not recommend!) by knowingly blocking up entrance holes probably best doing it in winter, when they've left for hibernation sites rather than blocking them in to die during summer, as someone suggested.
My partner is bat person/ecologist hence my boring bat knowledge
Equus said:
037 said:
Do not call the bat people.
Wait till summer then remove the nest / block up opening, or just leave them.
Wait till summer then remove the nest / block up opening, or just leave them.
Spot the bat expert (not)!
It's also an offence to block up any opening that bats use, and they can squeeze through small holes. The potential fine for each offence is £5,000. If more than one bat is involved, the fine is £5,000 per bat. In England and Wales an offender can also be imprisoned for six months.Gassing Station | Homes, Gardens and DIY | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff