Bat Houses: Supporting Roost Welfare in the Garden

Bat boxes provide critical roosting habitat as natural roost sites decline. Correct placement and design support bat welfare and population recovery.

Key Facts

UK bat populations declined by over 70% in the 20th century due to roost loss and insecticide use
Bats require different roost types across their annual cycle including maternity, night, and hibernation roosts
Bat boxes placed on south or southwest-facing walls provide optimal temperature gradients
Multiple boxes of different designs cater to the varied preferences of different species
Bats return to the same roost sites year after year, making roost protection and provision critical

Welfare Considerations

Bat welfare is inextricably linked to roost availability. A bat displaced from its maternity roost during the summer cannot successfully rear its single annual pup without returning to the warm, stable microclimate of an established roost. The loss of old trees, traditional buildings, and barn conversions has eliminated the roost sites that bat populations depend on. Garden bat boxes, properly installed and maintained, provide supplementary roost habitat that can make a meaningful difference to local populations. The welfare benefit of each successful roost is amplified by bats' extreme site fidelity over decades.

What You Can Do

Install at least three bat boxes of different designs on a south to southwest-facing wall or tree
Place bat boxes at a height of 3 to 5 metres in an unobstructed flight line
Leave bat boxes undisturbed from April to October during the active season
Plant moth-attracting plants like night-scented stock and evening primrose to provide bat food sources
Register your bat box with the Bat Conservation Trust for inclusion in national population monitoring