A Reader’s Tale:
The Bat and the Barn – A Tale of Courage in the Quiet of Night
It was a quiet evening at Sophie’s resplendent barn conversion, a haven of tranquility, a bastion against the relentless march of the world outside.
But this peace, so cherished, was shattered in an instant, when it became clear that we had an intruder. Not just any trespasser, mind you, but a bat—a winged beast of formidable size—that had taken up a commanding position on a beam just outside young Dotty’s bedroom. Fortunately, Dotty was away, for had she been present, the cries of alarm might have echoed far beyond these quiet walls.
The sight of this creature, clinging to its perch, filled the air with an undeniable tension. Sophie, ordinarily the picture of calm, glanced toward me, her eyes filled with both concern and a silent plea. The task was clear, and it fell upon my shoulders to restore order to this embattled domain. I stood a little taller, summoning all the fortitude I could muster. “Fear not,” I declared, a grin betraying the gravity of the situation. “I shall handle this.”
The experts had been consulted, of course. Their advice was delivered with the solemnity of those who understand the nature of such confrontations. But no amount of counsel could truly prepare one for the moment of action. Armed with little more than a pair of sturdy gardening gloves and a fishing landing net—an improvised but worthy armament—I approached the beam where the bat had stationed itself. It was still, watching me, as if daring me to make the first move.
SCROLL DOWN FOR WHAT YOU SHOULD DO IF YOU FIND A BAT IN YOUR HOUSE
I took my position beneath the creature, my heart racing. But now was not the time for hesitation. In that moment, I knew, courage must prevail. Slowly, steadily, I raised the net, knowing full well that success or failure would hinge on this single decisive stroke. With a swift motion, I captured the beast, which flapped violently in protest. But I held firm, undaunted by its frantic efforts to escape. The battle, for now, was won.
Yet the task was not complete. The bat, captured but not yet subdued, needed to be released. With Sophie watching from a distance—her expression a mixture of admiration and amusement—I carried the net toward the garden, where a solitary wooden post stood as a sentinel. Carefully, I guided the bat onto the post, allowing it a moment to gather its bearings. The night air was still, and the tension, though not entirely gone, had begun to lift.
The next phase, as prescribed by the experts, was to contain the creature in a shoebox, a modest vessel for transport. I hurried back inside to fetch it, confident in my ability to see this mission through. But alas, as I returned, the bat—perhaps sensing the finality of the shoebox—had other plans. With a sudden, magnificent spread of its wings, it launched itself into the night sky, a shadow against the moonlit horizon. It flew with purpose, arching gracefully toward the woods beyond.
I stood there for a moment, watching it vanish into the night, a sense of triumph swelling within me. The battle had been hard-fought, and order had been restored. As I returned to Sophie, her smile spoke volumes. “You truly are fearless, aren’t you?” she quipped, though beneath her playful tone was a glint of genuine respect.
It may not have been the grandest of heroic feats, but true heroism, dear reader, is often found in the quiet moments. In rising to the challenge, however unexpected, we find the measure of our resolve. And tonight, I had risen.
ADVICE FROM THE RSPCA IF YOU FIND A BAT IN YOUR HOUSE OR IN TROUBLE:
Bats are protected by law
Bats and their roosts are protected by law in the UK – so you mustn’t disturb or harm them in any way. Visit the Bat Conservation Trust’s website for more information about laws protecting bats.
I’ve found a bat on the ground
Bats can’t take off from the ground, so they’ll need help. They may be sick or injured too, so sometimes they will need to be checked by a vet or bat carer before they can be released. Bats need highly specialised care, so please don’t try to look after a sick or injured bat yourself. Instead, contact the Bat Conservation Trust on their website or by calling their helpline on 0345 1300 228. They will tell you how you can help the bat, and how to handle and transport a bat safely.
You should avoid touching or handling bats unless it’s absolutely essential, and always wear thick gloves if you do need to handle them. If you think you might have been bitten or scratched by a bat, follow the Bat Conservation Trust’s advice as bats can carry diseases that can pass to humans.
Cat has caught a bat
If a bat has been caught by a cat, then it should always be treated as if it’s injured. Being in a cat’s mouth can cause injuries that we can’t see, so even if the bat seems fine, it will still need treatment by a vet or bat carer as a precaution.
A bat has flown into my house
If the bat is flying around your house and it’s night time, then keep the room calm and quiet to stop the bat from becoming stressed. Close the door to contain the bat in one room, then open all the windows as widely as you can. Move anything that might block the bat’s way out the window, such as the curtains. Finally, dim the lights and the bat should make its own way out of the room.
You should avoid touching or handling bats unless it’s absolutely essential, and always wear thick gloves if you do need to handle them. If you think you might have been bitten or scratched by a bat, follow the Bat Conservation Trust’s advice as bats can carry diseases that can pass to humans.
Remember to check that the bat has left and isn’t hiding behind furniture or curtains.
If the bat isn’t flying, or it’s during the day, contact the Bat Conservation Trust on 0345 1300 228 for advice on what to do if a bat has entered your living area. Don’t try to catch a bat that’s flying, as this will put both you and the bat at risk.
Bat roost in your house
If you’re worried about a bat roost in your house, or you think you’ve accidentally disturbed a bat roost, please contact the Bat Conservation Trust for detailed advice.
If you often find bats in your house, especially baby bats, then they might be roosting in your roof. Bats and their roosts are legally protected and it’s important to know whether a bat is an adult or juvenile. Please contact the Bat Conservation Trust if bats are in your living space.
I’ve found a baby bat
It’s easy to mistake an adult bat for a baby, as people don’t realise how small they can be! Baby bats, called pups, are found between June and August. They will be smaller than a 50p coin, have no fur and their eyes will be closed. Juvenile bats will be a bit bigger, have their eyes open and have short, velvety-grey fur.
Young bats need specialist care if they’re orphaned, so contact the Bat Conservation Trust which can put you in touch with your local bat carer for more advice. Remember where you found the bat, as it may be possible to return it to its mother. Treat baby bats very carefully – if you’re told to pick them up, handle them with gloves or use a soft towel.
Why Bats Might Be the Perfect Houseguests You Never Knew You Had
For most people who share their homes with bats, these tiny, nocturnal lodgers go completely unnoticed. Surprisingly, living with a bat roost usually causes no issues at all – in fact, many homeowners remain blissfully unaware of their presence!
Let’s clear up one big myth right away: bats are not rodents. They don’t nibble on wood or chew through wires, and they won’t be dragging bedding or food into your attic.
These clean, sociable creatures spend much of their time grooming, and their habits are far from troublesome. All UK bats feed exclusively on insects, and their droppings, composed of dried insect remains, pose no more of a nuisance than dust.
That said, there are times when a well-established or awkwardly placed roost can cause minor inconveniences, particularly if it’s large or located in an unfortunate spot. However, these issues are generally seasonal, as bats tend to disperse to other sites in the winter, and most problems can be easily managed.
If you find yourself needing advice on how to handle a bat roost, don’t panic! Plenty of guidance is available online, and many common issues can be resolved with minimal fuss. For any challenges that can’t be handled with free advice from the Bat Conservation Trust, further support is just a click away.
What You Need to Know About Bats
Bats, being nocturnal creatures, are rarely seen by humans, especially since they hibernate during the winter months. As the only true-flying mammals, they are often misunderstood. However, having a bat roost in your property is typically nothing to worry about, and bats are unlikely to cause any problems. In fact, many homeowners and tenants share their homes with bats without ever realising it. By providing a safe space for bats to return to each year, you are contributing to their survival, especially as many of their natural habitats have been destroyed.
Bats pose little to no health risk and are generally present only during the summer months. Once the season ends, they usually disperse to other locations. Since bats are nocturnal, sleeping during the day and foraging at night, they rarely come into contact with people. Additionally, they hibernate through the winter, further limiting any potential interactions.
Are Bats Protected?
Yes, all bats in the UK are protected by law. This means it is generally illegal to remove or rehome bats. However, if you encounter issues related to a bat roost, assistance is available. Most problems can be easily resolved, and more information can be found on our website.
Can I Encourage Bats to Move into a Bat Box Instead?
While offering a bat box as alternative accommodation may seem like a solution, bats are incredibly loyal to their roosts and typically return year after year. This roost fidelity is one of the reasons bats have suffered from habitat loss. Though bat boxes are great for providing additional roosting opportunities, they don’t mimic the exact conditions of a bat’s chosen roost in your property. As a result, bats are unlikely to relocate to a nearby bat box.
In some development projects, bat boxes are used as a form of mitigation, but this is only done under the guidance of an experienced ecological consultant and requires a special license.
Can I Use Ultrasonic Devices to Deter Bats?
No, bats and their roosts are protected in the UK, whether or not bats are present at the time. Any attempt to deter bats, including the use of ultrasonic devices, risks breaking the law. Using such devices near a bat roost could disturb the bats, which is illegal. Additionally, the effects of ultrasonic devices on bats are not fully understood.
What About Companies That Claim to Remove Bats?
In the UK, there are no legal services that can remove or rehome bats due to their protected status. If you come across companies offering these services, they are likely referring to bats outside the UK, where such actions may not be illegal.
Support for Bat Conservation
The advice provided by the National Bat Helpline is made possible thanks to the generosity of supporters. Their team helps thousands of people each year, providing free advice that ultimately saves many bats. While they receive partial funding from Natural England, they rely on donations to continue their work. Your support ensures they can keep providing this vital service.
For more information from the Bat Conservation Trust or to donate to them, please click here.
DID YOU KNOW? We are lucky enough to have 18 species of bat in the UK, 17 of which are known to be breeding here – that’s almost a quarter of our mammal species.