Bats in buildings

  • 30th Apr 2022

Ten species of bat have been recorded in Scotland and most will roost in buildings. Each species occupies a different ecological niche, varying in the habitat they occupy, the prey they catch and the type of structure in which they roost.

Assessing a property for bats involves looking for signs of bat roosts (which are not always apparent), assessing the structure for the potential to be used by roosting bats, considering whether the surrounding habitat is suitable for bats and whether there are any records of roosting bats on site or nearby.

SIGNS OF BATS

Bat droppings often accumulate below the entrance to a bat roost or under the area of the roof where the bats accumulate.

Bat droppings are blackish, cylindrical and slightly knobbly. They are between 6 and 12mm long and 1-3 mm in diameter. Unlike mouse droppings, if squashed or rubbed they tend to crumble to powder.

Other signs include urine spots on glass, greasy smear-marks at the roost entrance and “chittering” noises in warm weather or in summer.

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