Bats in houses: guidance for householders

There are 10 different species of bats in Ireland, some very rare, others still quite widespread. These fascinating mammals depend on buildings for roosts at different times of the year. Bats rarely cause any problems when they roost in houses and many householders all over Ireland have lived happily with their bats for many years.

Living with bats

Here are some ideas for ensuring happy co-habitation with your bats:

• Ensure that your water tank is covered.
• Place a polythene sheet on the attic floor where bat droppings regularly accumulate and gather up at the end of the season. Bat droppings are dry and easily swept up. They make great compost!
• Ensure that the attic door is not left open to prevent bats flying into the living space of the building.

Bats will only enter your living space accidentally. Common reasons are that bats mistake an open window for a roost entrance, or follow an insect through an open window. In some instances young bats exploring their roost will squeeze down through cracks around piping from an attic.

If you find a bat in your living area this is what to do:

• Never chase or try to catch a bat while it is flying.
• Close the door of the room in which the bat is seen and open any windows, draw aside any curtains and turn off the light. This may allow the bat to escape itself.
• Should the bat continue to fly, wait until it comes to rest (often in the pleats of curtains) or becomes grounded (some species find it difficult to take-off again from the floor).
• To avoid being nipped use gloves, a towel or cloth to remove the bat and carry it outside. Place it high, at arms reach, on a wall or tree. This should allow the bat to regain flight.
• However, some bats take their time so keep a watch on the animal for 10-15 minutes and if it fails to fly then recapture it, place it in a cardboard box with air-holes and contact your local NPWS office or Bat Group for further advice.

An online video showing how to safely catch and release a bat from your home can be watched here: http://www.corkcountybatgroup.ie/page/injured-bats

Read our Bats in Houses leaflet.

Free copies can be ordered from:
Species Protection Unit,
NPWS,
Ballybay,
Co. Monaghan.

Contact our freefone helpline for more information about bats in houses : 1800-405-000