Bats In The Roof Or Eaves

What's happening?

Bats use the gaps buildings already have: under ridge tiles, behind fascias, in cavity walls and roof spaces. The Bat Conservation Trust says they do not build nests or cause damage to roost in a building. All bat species and their roosts are protected, and a roost stays protected all year, whether or not any bats are in it. Under Regulation 43 of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 you may commit an offence by damaging or destroying a breeding site or resting place, and under section 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 by intentionally or recklessly disturbing a bat in a place of shelter or obstructing access to it. That Act does not apply in Scotland. Because of this, a pest controller cannot simply treat or remove them.

What usually causes it?

• Droppings or staining under a gap at the ridge, soffit or eaves
• Bats seen leaving the same spot at sunset between May and September
• Bats keep turning up inside the house after dusk
• Cracks and crevices in the building, which bats use because they do not build nests
• A known roost that they return to each year at the same time

Is it dangerous?

The risk to you is low if you do not handle them. A small number of bats in the UK carry European bat lyssaviruses, so if you think you have been bitten or scratched, wash the wound with soap and water for at least five minutes and get medical advice, or call 111, even if you have had rabies vaccines before. The bigger risk is legal: sealing a gap, using insecticide in the roof or starting roof work with bats present can be an offence.

Can I fix it myself?

Do not seal holes, spray, fog or smoke the roof space, or put up deterrents. Do not enter the roof space to look for bats: the Trust says waking hibernating bats uses up energy they may not have, and mothers with pups need extra care in summer. To check, stand outside near the suspect gap around sunset between May and September and watch for bats leaving. Then call the National Bat Helpline on 0345 1300 228 or use the Trust's advice pages. The helpline is partly funded by Natural England to give free advice for homes with bats and can arrange a volunteer roost visit. If roof work is planned, stop and ask before anything is disturbed.

When should you call a pest controller?

Call the National Bat Helpline first. Call a pest controller only once bats have been ruled out, for example if the noise is mice, rats or squirrels. If a roofer, builder or loft converter has found bats, work should stop until a bat worker has advised.

What will the pest controller actually do?

• Rule bats in or out: droppings, staining, timing of the noise and what is seen leaving at dusk
• Refuse to treat or proof a roof that may hold a roost, and refer it to the helpline or an ecologist
• Treat other animals in the same building only after bats have been ruled out
• Wait for advice from a bat worker before any proofing near the roost, and time any work for when bats are not present
• Tell the householder where to get the free advice and survey route if work to the roof is needed

Questions people ask

Sources & References

1. Bat Conservation Trust: National Bat Helpline
2. Bat Conservation Trust: bats and the law
3. Bat Conservation Trust: do I have bats?
4. Bat Conservation Trust: I think I've been bitten by a bat