Our buildings play an essential part in providing shelter and protection for an integral part of our ecosystem, the 18 species of bat that live in the UK. Creating roosting spaces for bats is an important conservation action as all UK species are known to roost in buildings, with some species relying on them more than others.
People have been sharing their homes with bats for thousands of years. UK bats don’t construct their own roosts, so are often reliant on man-made structures that are already available to give them a suitable habitat. Land development caused a decline in bat numbers, but thanks to conservation work and greater awareness, these numbers are on the rise for some species.
All bats and their roosts are protected by law and it is an offence to deliberately disturb, handle or kill bats. The potential fine for destroying a roost is £5,000 per bat, or six months in prison. Any structures that bats use for shelter are protected from damage or destruction, whether they are occupied or not. Planning authorities have a legal obligation to consider whether bats will be affected by a proposed development and this legislation should be incorporated into their planning policies.
Taking bats into consideration before starting any work protects you from prosecution, whilst also minimising any costs or delays later down the line. Having bats doesn’t mean that building work, roof repairs, pest control or timber treatment cannot take place. Your local SNCO (Statutory Nature Conservation Organisation) can offer advice on how to proceed if you suspect bats are in the area. Non-invasive checks into roost areas can be done without needing a licenced bat worker, but closer checks and any work on an existing roost should be completed by a Natural England EPS licenced worker.
There are benefits to having bats around and the presence of bats is a sign of a healthy environment. UK bat species eat insects in gardens and also pollinate flowers. They aren’t rodents so homeowners need not worry that they will nibble on timber, building materials or wires.
Bats are quite particular about where they choose to roost at different times of the year, often preferring a warm space in the summer to rear their young and a cool space in winter to hibernate. Bats often use roof areas to shelter but different bat species require different kinds of spaces.
Pipistrelle bat species will rarely enter a roof void but will use building features such as soffits, fascias, hanging tiles, gaps between roof tiles, roof lining and lead flashing for shelter. In the winter they might use cavity walls or crevices deep in solid walls. Brandt’s bats and whiskered bats are also crevice dwellers but may enter roof spaces to fly around. These crevice dwelling bats only require a small 15-20mm high gap to crawl into their roost. Serotine and Leisler’s bat don’t tend to use the roof void, preferring crevices in buildings.
Long-eared bat species prefer older buildings and will occasionally roost in the open within the roof void. During the summer they will use crevices in the roof structure and under the ridge. Horseshoe bats use buildings during the summer months but as they as poor crawlers they need roof spaces with easy flight access rather than bat boxes.
