Bat Box

• There are several designs of bat box, from wooden boxes you can make yourself to ready-assembled boxes you can buy. Try to buy good quality boxes from reputable suppliers such as the RSPB shop, or Ark Wildlife.

• Boxes can be made of wood or hard wearing woodcrete.

• Different bat species need different types of box. A Schwegler 2F Bat Box is an ideal `starter` box to see if there are bats in your area.

• If possible, make/ buy boxes with an entrance slit along the bottom so that accumulated bat waste can drop out.

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Bat boxes from reputable suppliers suitable for common species range from around £20 to £70, depending on the size and material it is made from.

• Boxes can be put up at any time of year and can be positioned on buildings or trees.

• Bats use different quarters for roosting, breeding and hibernating. Boxes for summer roosting should be positioned sheltered from the wind, facing South or South East and unshaded for most of the day.

• Try and provide several options for bats by grouping 2/3 boxes together with different aspects.

• Locate near good foraging habitat, such as hedgerows/tree lines.

• Place them away from artificial lighting. 

• Ensure the approach to the box is unobstructed and clear underneath. 

• Most bat species will use higher positioned boxes (around 4m up); place the box as high as it is safe to do so. 

Bats numbers have declined due to loss of habitat and roosting sites loss, as well as declines in insect prey. Providing additional roosting opportunities  can help to address this issue, especially when combined with planting to help create bat friendly habitat (see useful links), which will also benefit birds, hedgehogs and insects.

• IMPORTANT: Bats and their roosts are protected by law. It is an offence to deliberately disturb, handle or kill bats. You can undertake non-invasive checks (see below); however, boxes must not be opened by anyone except a licensed bat worker.

• To check if the box is being used, look for droppings and urine-staining on the vertical ‘bat ladder’ below the box and listen for ‘chattering’ during the day in summer. Watch the box around sunset to observe any bats leaving to feed. Bats can be observed by looking up into the box from below, however no light should be used as this may disturb them.

• Boxes should be checked at least annually and after high winds to ensure they are still secure and safe.

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https://cdn.bats.org.uk/uploads/pdf/Bat-Box-Information-Pack-Sept-2020-JF.pdf?v=1600095860

BCT’s ‘Encouraging Bats’ leaflet for more information on how to attract bats to your school grounds (www.bats.org.uk\publications)