Bats often go unnoticed by builders working on lofts, basements or outbuildings, but can you find the bat in this picture? It takes the average person 15 seconds!
National construction firm Burton Roofing created the brain teaser to raise awareness of the importance of bats.
In the UK, all bats and their roosts are protected by law. If you need to undertake any works that may affect a bat roost, you should seek advice on how these works should be undertaken. If you ever find a bat while carrying out building work, you should pause and contact your Statutory Nature Conservation Organisation for advice as soon as possible.
Dr Joe Nunez-Mino from the Bat Conservation Trust commented: “Bats often go unnoticed when they roost in lofts, basements, garages and external parts of buildings, but occasionally they accidentally stray into the living spaces of homes and workplaces. Sometimes in the summer, young bats, which are inexperienced flyers, will become exhausted before finding their way out. They may try to land on a wall or curtains, or they may crash land on furniture or the floor. If you do happen to find a bat has landed inside or around a property, then it is probably in need of some help.
“A grounded or injured bat needs to be safely contained. You can make a bat care box from a shoe box with small holes punched in the lid, a cloth or tea towel inside the box, and a plastic bottle cap filled with a few drops of water. Always ensure you are wearing gloves when moving the bat into the bat care box, where the bat will hide within the tea towel. Keep the water topped up regularly and ensure the box is kept indoors in a quiet dark place, and then call the National Bat Helpline on 0345 1300 228 for advice and next steps.
“If a bat is flying around your room or living space, you should never try and catch it as you are likely to injure the bat. If it’s a warm evening you can try and close the door to the room, open all the windows and dim the lights so the bat has the best chance to find its own way out. During the daytime or in the winter months, wait for the bat to land before containing it in your bat care box, then call the National Bat Helpline for further advice, as the bat may need to be assessed by a bat carer.”
