Gone batty

tagwex · Posted: Wed May 14, 2014 9:35 pm Post subject: Gone batty

Found out this evening that I have a colony of bats in the attic. Counted 42 of them leaving the tiniest hole in the fascia at dusk. So what with swallows in my workshop and starlings on the other gable end in behind a fascia too it is becoming a right sanctuary here lately. Dam bats are protected species too so now what do I do?

medieval knievel · Posted: Wed May 14, 2014 9:39 pm Post subject:

enjoy the fact that you have bats?

tagwex · Posted: Wed May 14, 2014 9:42 pm Post subject:

Why? First cousins of rats. Doesn't their waste be high in ammonia? They are in a part of the roof that cannot be accessed, a hole in a wall will have to be broke through just to see how may thousands are in there. They are over the kitchen. I could hear them crawling, thought it was rodents.

medieval knievel · Posted: Thu May 15, 2014 7:57 am Post subject:

unlike rats, they will not be crawling through your walls or kitchen cabinets chewing through wires or your food.

Wes · Posted: Thu May 15, 2014 9:45 pm Post subject:

I'm sure youve seen, but if not...

http://www.npws.ie/publications/leaflets/Bats_in_Houses_leaflet.pdf

tagwex · Posted: Thu May 15, 2014 10:12 pm Post subject:

No I hadn't seen that leaflet, thanks Wes, it was an interesting read. I didn't know that they were seasonal, should be gone by end of September. I was reading a couple of websites and found out that they can get through a hole 15 * 20mm, a knot hole would suffice at that rate. The hole that they are getting in here is tiny, must get a ladder out tomorrow and measure it and try and get a photo of them too if they are to be found. My main concern is the build up of faeces and the smell if one should die.

tagwex · Posted: Fri May 16, 2014 10:56 pm Post subject:

OK I went up the rickety ladder today to see the size of the hole, couldn't believe it - 30 * 15mm at most, use finger as a scale. They are getting in at the end of the timber, between that and the blockwork of the chimney.

kindredspirit · Posted: Fri May 16, 2014 11:08 pm Post subject:

A good "Mouser" of a cat left up "accidentally" into the attic might change the situation.

tagwex · Posted: Fri May 16, 2014 11:13 pm Post subject:

Are you following me around tonight Kindred Spirit?
They are tucked away in the soffit at almost the highest point with a double block wall for protection so it would want to be some cat. Protected species anyway, cannot do anything to endanger them. You have your lizard and I have my bats.

tunnelsofhens10 · Posted: Sat May 17, 2014 12:35 am Post subject: bats

Block the bloody hole tagwez. Rolling Eyes

tagwex · Posted: Sat May 17, 2014 1:38 am Post subject:

"Protected species". They will be gone by October, I will block it then.

tippben · Posted: Sat May 17, 2014 4:24 am Post subject:

They are definitely Pipistrelles. Blocking the hole in October is the right way to go. Please could you report the roost to http://records.biodiversityireland.ie/index.php as it may help with conservation work.

tagwex · Posted: Sat May 17, 2014 7:44 am Post subject:

I was thinking about doing that anyway Tippben as I think it is a 'must do' for people that care. Ten varieties in Ireland and you sound very confident. I will see if I can get up to the attic today and get a photo but I think that is unlikely if they are where I think they are. Maybe they are not so bad to have around. 3000 insects a night each I read somewhere. Hard to believe.

Good guy · Posted: Sat May 17, 2014 10:00 am Post subject:

Think of how many midges a hungry bat would eat!
I'm convinced that midges' only reason for existence is to provide bats with take-away suppers.
Bring on more bats, I say!

medieval knievel · Posted: Sat May 17, 2014 1:50 pm Post subject: