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Most people
are concerned and understandably worried, when they first discover that they have
bats roosting in their property. However, these creatures will do you, or your
property, no harm.
Bat Facts
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All bats in
the U.K. are very small, ranging from 5-30g, but they can live for up to 30 years.
Bats are very useful as they eat copious quantities of insects. They are not
rodents and will not gnaw at cables, insulation or other areas of the property.
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Bats do not
build nests and do not bring bedding material into
the property. Bat droppings are brown or black, 4mm-8mm in length and they
are often confused for mouse droppings. However, they quickly dry and do not
smell.
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Bats are
clean animals and also prefer to live in clean, relatively draught free roost.
They are often found in lofts, under tiles or flashings.
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Most bats are
only seasonal visitors and they regularly change roosts (although
they will often return). Female bats have only one baby per year.
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Bats are protected by law. As
they tend to return to the same
roosts every year, these are also protected, whether bats are present or not.
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Finding bats
in your property does not mean building work, repairs or timber treatments cannot
take place, but you will need to contact English Nature and follow their advice
before any works proceed.
The Law
All 16 species of British bat are
protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. The Conservation (Natural Habitats etc.) Regulations 1994 (Schedule 2)
reinforces this Act and removes the word ‘intentional’ from the clause relating
to damage to places used by bats.
These make it illegal to: kill, injure, capture or disturb bats, obstruct access
to bat roosts, damage or destroy bat roosts.
In this context ‘damage’ means make worse for the bat and so would include such
operations as treatment with toxic chemicals found in wood preservatives, or
chemicals used to eradicate pests such as cluster flies.
Under the law, a roost is any structure or place used by bats for shelter or
protection. It is important to note that the roost is protected, whether the bats are present at
the time or not.
Although defences are provided by the Act so that building, maintenance or
remedial operations can be carried out in places used by bats, these cannot be
relied on unless the relevant Statutory Nature Conservation Organisation
(English Nature in England) has been notified and allowed time to advise on
whether the operation should be carried out and if so, the method to be used
and the timing.
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.
What to Do
If you discover bats on your property -
don't panic - contact Natural England (www.naturalengland.org.uk)
Download the:
Bat guide
Bats and people
Bats and Human Health (Adobe PDF Files)
Click here
for a quote and to instruct your survey online
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