Bat Fact Sheet

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Infestation Identification:

Alcathoe Bat have reddish-brown fur and short brown ears. It is very similar to the Brandt's Bat.

Brandt's Bats are up to 50mm in length, a wingspan of up to 240mm and has dark grey or light brown fur on their backs with pale grey fur on their abdomen.  

Brown Long-Eared Bats grow up to 52mm and their wingspans are up to 285mm, weighing only a maximum of 12 grams. Adults have light brown fur and paler abdomens, their young have greyish fur, their ears are nearly as long as their bodies.

Common Pipistrelle have brown to dark brown fur with darker faces. They grown up to 45mm and their wingspan can grow to 235mm but weighing up to only 8 grams.  

 

Common Names:

Myotis Alcathoe (Alcathoe)

Myotis Brandtii (Brandt’s Bat)

Plecotus Auritus (Brown Long-Eared Bat)

Pipistrellus pipistrellus (Common Pipistrelle)

 

Diet:

Almost every species of bats feed on moths, spiders, beetles, earwigs and small insects low to the ground or in trees. Common Pipistrelle Bats will mainly feed on mosquitos and small flies on and around water surfaces.

 

Habitat:

All bats in the UK are nocturnal so they like to roost in all kinds of woodlands, hedgerows, houses, shed and garages. Bats hibernate in over winter and will choose a place where they will not be disturbed and can stay at a consistent temperature, preferably in caves and tunnels but in rural areas they will use derelict buildings, lofts, shed and garages.

 

Prevention:

We recommend you check your property regularly for any small holes in external walls and eaves. If you discover any holes, we recommend sealing them to prevent bats from gaining entry, however if bat are already inside your property please contact the Bat Helpline https://www.bats.org.uk/our-work/national-bat-helpline

 

Life Cycle:

During the summer, females form maternity colonies and have just a single pup. Pups are weaned at 6 weeks old and begin to forage. Bats can live for up to 30 years in the right environment.

 

General Information:

Bats can live up to 30 years in colonies sizes between 10 and 50 and are protected by law in the UK. Never try to catch a bat you are likely to injure it severely and it may even bite in self defence.

 

Treatments:

All bat species, their breeding sites and resting places are fully protected by law. If you think you have bats inside your property or in your garden, do not disturb or try to move them, please contact the Bat Helpline which is a free service, their website address is: https://www.bats.org.uk/our-work/national-bat-helpline or you can phone them direct on 0345 1300 228.

If a bat is flying around in a room, close the door and open the windows so that it can fly out.

 

Quick Facts:

• Brown Long-Eared Bats can hear a ladybird walking on a leaf with its sensitive hearing.

• Common Pipistrelle Bats are the most common species in the UK.

• Do not try to catch a flying bat you are likely to injure it severely and it may even bite in self defence.

• The Bat Helpline provides free help and advise.

• If a bat is flying around in a room, close the door and open the windows so that it can fly out.

• Females on have one pup a year.

• All bats in the UK are nocturnal so they like to roost in all kinds of woodlands, hedgerows, houses, shed and garages.

• Bats hibernate in over winter.