A Complete Guide to Helping Bats in the UK

Bats are a crucial part of the UK’s ecosystem, playing a vital role in controlling insect populations and pollinating plants. However, their numbers have been declining due to habitat loss, light pollution, and changes in farming practices. If you want to support these fascinating nocturnal creatures, there are many ways to make your garden or local area more bat-friendly.

This guide covers everything you need to know about helping bats thrive in the UK.

Why Do Bats Need Our Help?

There are 18 species of bats in the UK, all of which are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017. Despite this protection, bat populations have suffered due to:

• Loss of roosting sites – Many bats rely on old trees, barns, churches, and roof spaces, which are disappearing due to urbanisation and modern building practices.
• Decline in insect populations – The use of pesticides and habitat destruction reduces food sources for bats.
• Light pollution – Artificial lights disturb bats’ natural behaviour and feeding patterns.
• Climate change – Warmer winters and unpredictable seasons affect bat hibernation and breeding cycles.

By making small changes to our gardens, communities, and attitudes, we can help bats recover and thrive.

Make Your Garden Bat-Friendly

Even a small garden can provide food, shelter, and a safe environment for bats.

Grow Night-Scented Flowers

Bats feed on insects, so attracting moths, beetles, and other flying bugs will provide them with a natural food source.

• Best plants for bats:
  • Evening primrose
  • Honeysuckle
  • Jasmine
  • Night-scented stock
  • Buddleia
  • Marjoram

Planting a variety of nectar-rich flowers, shrubs, and trees will help maintain a healthy insect population.

Avoid Pesticides and Chemicals

Insecticides reduce the number of insects available for bats to eat. Instead, encourage natural pest control by:

• Planting flowers that attract ladybirds and lacewings (which eat aphids).
• Installing a pond to attract dragonflies and midges.
• Letting parts of your garden grow wild to create a diverse insect habitat.

Create a Bat Roosting Site

Bats need safe places to rest during the day and hibernate in winter.

• Install a bat box on a tree or building (more on this below).
• Leave old trees standing if safe to do so, as they provide natural roosts.
• Keep roof spaces and lofts undisturbed, as some bat species roost there

Install a Bat Box

Providing artificial roosting spaces can help bats find shelter, especially in areas with few natural sites.

How to Choose a Bat Box

• Made of untreated wood or woodcrete (a concrete-wood mix that retains heat).
• At least 4-5 metres above ground, facing south or southeast for warmth.
• Near hedgerows, trees, or water to provide easy access to food.
• Away from bright lights and disturbances.

Bat boxes take time to be used, so be patient and monitor them without disturbing any residents.

Reduce Light Pollution

Artificial lighting affects bats’ feeding, navigation, and roosting habits. To make your space more bat-friendly:

• Use warm-toned LED lights instead of bright white or blue lights.
• Install motion sensors to limit unnecessary lighting.
• Direct lights downward, avoiding trees and roosting sites.
• Plant dense hedgerows to block light pollution from nearby roads.

If you live near bat habitats, encourage local councils to use bat-friendly street lighting.

Provide a Water Source

Bats drink while flying over water, so ponds, streams, or birdbaths can help them stay hydrated.

• A wildlife pond is ideal, attracting insects for bats to eat.
• If space is limited, a shallow dish of water can help smaller bats.
• Avoid chemicals in ponds, as they can harm insects and the bats that eat them.

Create Bat Corridors and Safe Flight Paths

Bats rely on hedgerows, tree lines, and watercourses to navigate. If these are removed, bats may struggle to find food and roosts.

• Plant native hedgerows instead of putting up fences.
• Keep old trees as natural roosting spots.
• Avoid removing mature trees unless absolutely necessary.
• Encourage local councils and landowners to protect green spaces.

If you're involved in planning or development, support projects that maintain natural habitats for bats.

Protect Existing Bat Roosts

If you suspect bats are living in your home or a nearby building, do not disturb them. Under UK law, it is illegal to damage or block a bat roost, even if bats aren’t present at the time.

What to Do If You Find a Bat Roost

• Contact The Bat Conservation Trust (0345 1300 228) for advice.
• If you're planning building work, consult a licensed bat ecologist.
• Report suspected bat roost destruction to Natural England.

Help Bats in Your Community

If you don’t have a garden, there are still plenty of ways to support bats.

Volunteer with a Local Bat Group

Many conservation groups run surveys, rescue injured bats, and protect habitats. Find a local group via the Bat Conservation Trust.

Encourage Bat-Friendly Policies

• Support bat-friendly lighting schemes in towns and cities.
• Work with landowners and farmers to maintain hedgerows and ponds.
• Promote bat-friendly gardening in schools and community spaces.

Take Part in Bat Surveys

Recording bat activity helps scientists track populations and trends. You can get involved with:

• National Bat Monitoring Programme – Run by the Bat Conservation Trust.
• Bat walks and talks – Many wildlife organisations run night-time bat walks.

What to Do If You Find an Injured or Lost Bat

Bats sometimes get injured or lost, particularly young bats in summer.

Signs a Bat Needs Help

• Found on the ground, unable to fly.
• Cold, weak, or exposed during daylight.
• Injured, bleeding, or caught in netting.

How to Help

1. Wear gloves (bats can bite if scared).
2. Gently place the bat in a cardboard box with air holes and a soft cloth.
3. Keep it warm (a bottle of warm water wrapped in a towel helps).
4. Offer a shallow dish of water, but do not feed.
5. Call a bat rescue expert – Contact the Bat Conservation Trust helpline at 0345 1300 228.

Conclusion

Bats are an essential part of the UK's natural ecosystem, but they need our help to survive. By creating bat-friendly gardens, reducing light pollution, installing bat boxes, and protecting their habitats, we can make a big difference.

Whether you have a large garden, a small balcony, or no outdoor space at all, there are ways to get involved in bat conservation. By working together, we can ensure these fascinating creatures continue to thrive for generations to come.