What Happens if I Have Bats in My Roof?

Bats frequently take refuge in roofs, as these structures provide a secure, warm, and protected environment that resembles certain features of their natural habitats.

In the UK, all bat species are protected by law due to their ecological importance and their vulnerability to habitat loss, human disturbance, and environmental changes. These laws prohibit the intentional killing, injuring, or disturbing of bats, as well as the damaging or blocking of their roosts.

Why are Bats Important to the Ecosystem?

Insect Control

Bats are essential for managing insect populations, especially pests and midges.In just one night, a single bat can consume thousands of insects.

Pollination and Seed Dispersal

Bats, much like butterflies and bees, play a crucial role in pollinating flowers

Indicators of Ecosystem Health

Bats are highly attuned to shifts in their surroundings, making their presence or absence a key indicator of ecosystem health. A decline in bat populations can point to problems like habitat loss, pollution, or the impacts of climate change.

Potential Damage bats could cause

Structural Damage

They may slip through tiny gaps, causing damage to roofing materials, siding, and insulation along the way.

Guano Accumulation

Bat droppings, commonly referred to as guano, can build up in your attic. These droppings may harbor harmful pathogens when inhaled.

Noise

Bats can be quite loud, particularly at night when they’re most active. The noise from their fluttering wings and scratching can interfere with your sleep and daily activities.

Pest Infestation

Bats can draw in other pests, like bat bugs or mites.

Health Risks of Bats

Bats can be carriers of diseases such as rabies, which can be passed to humans through bites or scratches. Although the majority of bats do not carry rabies, it’s important to seek medical advice immediately

UK Bat Protection Laws

In the UK, bats are protected by law due to their vital role in the ecosystem and their status as endangered species.

Engaging in the following activities may result in a criminal offence:

• Deliberately capture, injure, or kill a bat.
• Deliberately disturb a bat.
• Damage or destroy a breeding site or resting place of a bat (bats do not have to be in occupation at the time).
• Possess or control a bat.
• Transport a bat.
• Sell or exchange a bat.
• Intentionally or recklessly disturb a bat occupying a structure or place used for shelter or protection.
• Intentionally or recklessly obstruct access to any structure or place used for shelter or protection by bats.

Signs You Might Have Bats in Your Roof

If bats choose to roost in your loft, they can lead to structural issues, bad smells, and potential health hazards. Here are some signs that could suggest you have bats in your roof:

1. Bat Droppings
2. Noise / Bat Chattering
3. Seeing bats at sunrise or sunset

Differences between bats and other common roof dwellers like birds or rodents.

The main differences between bats and birds are that bats are mammals with fur, teeth, and they give birth to live young. Bats belong to the order Chiroptera, which consists solely of bats, making them the only mammals capable of sustained flight. While bats can live up to 35 years, some rats only live for 1 to 2 years. Rodents are primarily ground-dwelling animals that burrow and climb.

Legal Protection of Bats in the UK:

In the UK, bats are highly protected species under two key legal frameworks:

Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981

• Protection from Disturbance or Harm:
• Protection of Roosts:
• Prohibition on Sale or Trade

Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017

• Protection of Habitat Sites
• Disturbance Offenses
• Licensing Requirements for Certain Activities

These laws create strong protections for bats in the UK, which means that developers, landowners, and the public must take bats and their habitats into account when planning and managing land.

Disturbing bat roosts can result in criminal charges, including fines and possible prison time. If you encounter bats, it’s crucial to stop any work and consult your SNCO or an ecological expert for guidance.

What to Do If You Discover Bats in Your Roof:

Contact the experts – If you find bats it’s important to pause any work and seek advice from your SNCO or an ecological consultant.

Bat surveys can help prevent expensive delays. It is recommended to have a qualified ecological consultant conduct surveys of the site for bats.

People and bats have been co-inhabitants for centuries. A bat access tile allows bats safe passage through a roof to help them into roosting areas in lofts and roof voids whilst maintaining the watertight integrity of the roof.

Preventive Measures

To keep bats from getting into your roof, it’s important to seal off any possible entry points and make the area less appealing to them. You might also consider putting in roof vents that have grills to block their access. Additionally, installing bat boxes can offer them a safe alternative place to live.

Bats are vital for keeping our ecosystems in balance as they consume insects and help pollinate flowers. It’s important to protect bats for the sake of ecosystem stability, human health, and biodiversity. Conservation efforts involve safeguarding their habitats and educating the public about their significance to ensure that bat populations thrive and remain strong..

For further help visit The Bat Conservation Trust who also have a National Bat Helpline devoted to ‘helping people, helping bats’.