I Have Bats In My Loft What Should I Do: A Complete Guide

There are specific steps you need to follow because bats are a protected species under UK law. You can't just remove them yourself, and there are some important things to know about how to handle the situation legally and safely.

Here's what you should do:

1. Do Not Disturb the Bats

• Legally, bats are protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, so it's illegal to harm them, disturb them, or interfere with their roosts.
  
  

• Don’t try to physically handle the bats or disturb their roosting area. Any attempts to remove or disturb them could be illegal, especially if it affects a maternity colony (with babies).
  
  

2. Assess the Situation (Are They Roosting or Hibernating?)

• Spring/Summer (Maternity Season): If it's spring or summer, the bats might be there to raise their young, which is a particularly sensitive time. You cannot remove them until the young are capable of flying (usually late summer or autumn).
  
  

• Autumn/Winter (Hibernation Period): If it’s colder, they may be hibernating. In that case, you can likely wait until they’re inactive and remove them (though you still need professional help).
  
  

3. Hire a Professional

• Contact a bat conservation group or a licensed pest controller who is experienced with bat removal. The Bat Conservation Trust (BCT) has a list of licensed professionals who can help.
  
  

• The person you hire should hold a bat licence issued by Natural England (or equivalent in other parts of the UK). This ensures they can handle bats safely and legally.
  
  

4. Wait for the Right Time

• If it’s maternity season, you must wait until the young bats are fully capable of flying before you can take action. This is typically late summer to autumn.
  
  

• If it's during the hibernation period, action can be taken with the right precautions.
  
  

5. Bat Exclusion

• Once you’ve got a professional in, they’ll likely perform a process called exclusion, which means allowing the bats to exit the loft but not allowing them back in. This involves fitting one-way exclusion deviceson entry points (like vents or cracks) so the bats can leave but can’t re-enter.
  
  

• You may be asked to leave the bats for a while, to make sure they exit and don’t get trapped inside.
  
  

6. Seal Entry Points

• After the bats have exited, the next step is to seal all potential entry points. This includes repairing any cracks, gaps around the roof, vents, chimneys, or other areas where bats could enter.
  
  

• This should be done after the exclusion process to ensure the bats aren’t trapped inside.
  
  

7. Bat Houses

• To encourage bats to roost elsewhere, you could install bat boxes or bat houses around your property. This gives them a safe alternative place to live and may keep them from seeking shelter in your loft in the future.
  
  

• Bat boxes can be installed high up on trees or buildings, away from human activity.
  
  

8. Cleaning Up Bat Droppings (Guano)

• If there’s bat guano in your loft, take precautions when cleaning it up. Bat droppings can carry histoplasmosis, a fungal infection, so it’s important to wear gloves, a mask, and dispose of the droppings properly.
  
  

• If the guano is widespread, consider hiring a professional cleaning service, as they will know how to handle it safely.
  
  

9. Maintain Regular Inspections

• Once the bats are gone, make sure you have regular inspections of your loft or attic to catch any future potential entry points or re-infestation.
  
  

Quick Summary:

1. Don’t disturb the bats—it’s illegal.

2. Contact a licensed bat professional (search the Bat Conservation Trust for help).

3. If it's maternity season, wait until the young can fly before removing them.

4. Install exclusion devices to allow bats to exit but not re-enter.

5. Seal up entry points to prevent future visits.

6. Consider installing bat boxes to provide alternative homes.

7. Clean up bat droppings carefully (wear protective gear).

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