Bonny Bats — Bat advice, surveys & humane exclusion · National Bat Helpline 0345 1300 228
🦇 National Bat Helpline — free advice
🦇 Free advice · Licensed surveys · Humane exclusion National Bat Helpline 0345 1300 228 Mon–Fri 9am–5pm
Bonny Bats · Bats & buildings, beautifully handled

Bats in your building?
Let's sort it — humanely.

We're Bonny Bats, your neighbourhood bat specialists. We help homeowners share their homes with our protected winged neighbours — legally, safely, and without harming a single bat.

Get free advice Why you can't "remove" bats

or call the National Bat Helpline — 0345 1300 228

0UK bat species
0Insects per bat / night
0%Protected by law
0345 1300 228National Bat Helpline
A cosy cottage at dusk with bats flying beneath a golden crescent moon — the bat that started it all. 🦇 Bat approved
Artist's impression of the bat that started it all.
The story

Why "Bonny" Bats?

Bonny Bats is named after my mum, Bonny. In Scots and Northern English, "bonny" means lovely, beautiful and good — the word for something that makes you smile. It fits her perfectly.

It all started when a bat turned up in her loft. While everyone else reached for the pest-control number, she said: "Can't we do something nice about it?"

So I did my homework — and found that bats aren't pests at all. They're protected, fascinating, and in genuine trouble, having lost most of their wild places to live. That bat got a one-way valve, a bat box, and a warm goodbye. And Bonny Bats got its name.

Today we treat every home the way Bonny would treat it: with kindness, patience, and no fuss.

— The founder of Bonny Bats

Who we are

Meet Bonny Bats

Because they are bonny — the Scots and Northern word for lovely. And once you understand them, people almost always agree.

Bats aren't pests, and we won't treat them like ones. They're a protected, threatened group of little insect-eating machines who've simply run out of wild places to live — so they've moved into our roofs instead.

Our job is simple: help people and bats share buildings beautifully. We give honest advice, carry out licensed surveys, and where exclusion is genuinely needed, we do it to the letter of the law — and to the highest welfare standards for the bats.

— The Bonny Bats team

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Night-time pest control

Every UK bat eats insects. A single pipistrelle scoffs up to 3,000 a night — moths, midges and crop pests, free of charge.

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Seasonal tenants

Most roosts are used in summer only — maternity season — then bats hibernate elsewhere in winter. Often the "problem" solves itself by autumn.

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Tiny but mighty

The smallest UK bat weighs less than a £1 coin (3–8g). Some live 30+ years. They deserve our care — they're amazing.

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No harm to bats — everEvery job puts the bats' welfare first.
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Licensed & legalAll work follows UK law to the letter.
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No jargonPlain-English advice you can actually use.
01 · Spot the signs

How to tell if you have bats

Bats are quiet, discreet tenants. These are the most reliable signs — best spotted at dusk, or in the loft.

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Bat droppings (guano)

  • Small, dark pellets, roughly 4–8mm long
  • Dry and crumbly — crumble to dust when pressed (mouse droppings stay firm & moist)
  • Found on windowsills, loft insulation, or piled below a roost exit
  • Made of dried insect remains — often moth-wing fragments nearby
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Sounds & sightings

  • Squeaking, chattering or scratching from the loft or walls at dusk & dawn
  • Bats flying out from roof edges, gables, soffits or lifted tiles at sunset
  • Urine staining or dark smears around entry gaps
  • Bats seen on warm evenings, spring to autumn
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What it is NOT

Bats don't gnaw wood, cables or plastic — no chew marks, no shredded nesting material. That's rodents or squirrels. If you see gnawing, it's a different problem entirely.

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Not sure? Get it checked

A licensed bat worker (like us) can confirm whether you have bats, which species, and how many — often free, by watching at dusk. Start with the National Bat Helpline 0345 1300 228.

02 · Stay safe

Are bats dangerous? Not really.

Bats are shy and non-aggressive. The risks are extremely low — but a few sensible rules keep everyone safe.

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The reassuring facts

  • UK bats do not attack people and won't chase you
  • They do not drink blood — vampire bats live only in the Americas
  • Echolocation means they never get tangled in your hair
  • They aren't blind — they can see, and use sonar to hunt in the dark
  • Contact with people is rare: roosting by day, hunting at night, hibernating in winter
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What to be careful about

  • Never handle a bat with bare hands — it may nip if frightened
  • An extremely small number of UK bats carry European Bat Lyssavirus (a rabies-type virus; under 40 positive bats ever found in the UK) — any bite or scratch must be taken seriously
  • Avoid breathing dust when cleaning up large amounts of droppings
  • Keep children and pets from picking up grounded bats
If you are bitten or scratched by a bat: wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water for several minutes, then seek medical advice promptly (call 111 or see a GP / A&E) — you may need rabies post-exposure treatment. Keep the bat contained if you safely can, so it can be tested.
Bat in a room? Close the door, open a window or external door wide, dim the lights, leave the room and watch. Bats always find their own way out — usually within minutes. Never chase, swat or throw things at it — that only frightens it.
Grounded or injured bat? Do not touch it with bare hands. Wearing thick gloves, place a small box or tub over it, slide card underneath, tape the lid, add air holes — then call the National Bat Helpline 0345 1300 228 for a trained volunteer near you.
03 · Know the law

Why you can't just "get rid" of bats

This is the part most people don't expect: in the UK there is no legal way to remove or kill bats. Anyone offering "bat removal" isn't operating legally.

🛡️ The protection

All 18 UK bat species and their roosts are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017.

It is an offence to:

  • Kill, injure, capture or handle a bat (without a licence)
  • Damage, destroy or obstruct a roost — even when bats are absent
  • Disturb bats, or block their access to a roost
  • Possess, sell or advertise bats

⚖️ The penalties

  • Breaking bat law can mean an unlimited fine and/or up to 6 months in prison
  • Fines are commonly calculated at up to £5,000 per bat affected
  • Disturbing a roost can also halt building work — a bat survey is required before most roof work, conversions or demolitions
  • The largest UK wildlife-crime fine to date (destroying a bat roost during demolition) was £600,000
Bottom line: Bats are not a pest you can treat like rodents. The legal, humane and only route is advice first → licensed survey → professional exclusion where appropriate. The good news: this route works — and it's exactly what we do.
04 · Our process

How we exclude bats — legally & humanely

"Getting rid of bats" done properly means one-way exclusion: bats leave as normal at dusk, but can't get back in. Then the building is proofed so they can't return. Here's how it works:

Step 1

Call & survey

Call us or the National Bat Helpline 0345 1300 228. A licensed survey identifies the species, roost size and exactly where bats get in — telling you what's legal and what timing is safe. Often free of charge.

Step 2

Time it right

Exclusion can only happen outside the maternity season (roughly June–August) when flightless young would be trapped. The ideal window is September–October. Valves fitted late in the year stay in place over winter.

Step 3

One-way excluders

Licensed professionals fit one-way valves over each entry point. Bats fly out at night and can't re-enter. Valves stay for several days of suitable weather so every bat leaves — all without harming a single animal.

Step 4

Seal & proof

Once the roost is empty, gaps are permanently sealed with the right materials — mortar, timber or small-mesh metal bats can't squeeze through. Roof, soffits and gables are all checked for future entry points.

Step 5

Offer an alternative

Good practice (and often a licensing condition) is installing a bat box nearby so the colony has somewhere to go. Bats often accept them readily — and you keep the free pest control.

Never do these: ❌ seal or block holes while bats are inside  •  ❌ use poison, glue traps or pesticides (illegal & inhumane)  •  ❌ "trap and release" bats far away (they return from hundreds of miles, and it's illegal)  •  ❌ rely on ultrasonic devices or bright lights (unproven — and may be illegal if it disturbs a roost).
Planning roof work? Any work on roofs, soffits, fascias, weatherboarding or chimneys can disturb bats. You're legally required to check for bats first — we can carry out a survey and advise on mitigation (including bat-access tiles) before you start.
SeasonWhat's happeningCan exclusion be done?
Jun – AugMaternity season — females roost together, young are born (June/July) and learn to fly❌ No. Young bats can't fly and would be trapped. Disturbance is illegal.
Sep – OctYoung can fly, roosts break up, bats move toward hibernation✅ Best time. Excluders can be fitted now.
Nov – MarHibernation — bats are torpid in cool roosts (caves, lofts, cellars)⚠️ Very limited. Work must not disturb hibernating bats.
Apr – MayBats return from hibernation, maternity groups form⚠️ Careful. Only before young are born, and only with professional advice.
05 · Clean up safely

Cleaning up after bats

In the UK the health risk from bat droppings is very low — the fungus behind "histoplasmosis" isn't found in British bats. Still, dust can irritate, so follow these simple precautions.

✅ Do

  • Wear gloves and a dust mask (FFP2/FFP3) when handling droppings
  • Dampen droppings with a light water spray first — never sweep them dry into the air
  • Scoop or vacuum with a HEPA-filter vacuum, then double-bag the waste
  • Wipe surfaces with warm soapy water or an enzyme cleaner; wash hands afterwards
  • Ventilate the room while you work

❌ Avoid

  • Sweeping or vacuuming dry piles of droppings (stirs up dust)
  • Using bare hands, or letting children / pets near droppings
  • Working in heavy accumulations without a proper respirator
  • Touching your face before washing hands
Large accumulations? If a loft or outbuilding has years of droppings or contaminated insulation, don't DIY it — call a professional bio-hazard / waste removal service. We can recommend trusted local partners.
What we offer

Our services

Everything is done by licensed professionals, to the letter of the law — with the bats' welfare first, always.

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Free initial advice

Not sure if you even have bats? Call us — we'll talk you through the signs, or point you to the National Bat Helpline for free, expert guidance.

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Licensed bat surveys

Species identification, roost assessment and dusk watches. Confirms what you're dealing with — and what's legally possible — before any decision is made.

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Humane exclusion

One-way excluders, season-safe timing, and permanent proofing so bats can't return. No harm to a single animal — guaranteed.

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Bat boxes

Alternative roosts installed nearby, so the colony has somewhere to go — and you keep the free insect control.

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Guano clean-up

Safe removal and decontamination of droppings and soiled insulation, with proper PPE and disposal.

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Building-work guidance

Pre-surveys for roofers, conversions and demolitions — including bat-access tiles where a roost must be preserved.

Bonny Bats were brilliant from the first call. They explained everything in plain English — including the legal bits — and the bats were gone by the second week, all safe.

Anna, Liverpool Exclusion & proofing

We thought we'd have to "get rid" of them. Turns out there's a right way to do it — and Bonny Bats made it feel easy. Lovely people, lovely bats.

David, Wirral Survey & advice

Five stars. The bat box went up, the babies were safe, and my mum was happy. What more can you ask for?

Priya, Southport Bat box installation
Quick answers

Frequently asked questions

I found a bat in my house — what do I do right now?
Stay calm. Close the door to the room, open a window or external door wide, dim the lights and leave the room. Watch quietly — the bat will find its way out, usually within minutes. Don't chase, swat or throw things at it. If it's grounded or injured, contain it in a box (thick gloves, cardboard under, air holes) and call the National Bat Helpline 0345 1300 228.
Can I just block up the hole where bats get in?
No — this is illegal and dangerous for the bats. Blocking access to a roost is an offence under UK law, and if bats are inside, they'll be trapped and die. Exclusion must be done with one-way valves by a licensed professional, at the right time of year.
Will bats attack me, my pets, or my baby?
No. UK bats are insect-eaters and non-aggressive; they avoid people. They don't attack pets — cats and dogs may occasionally bat at a grounded bat, which is why you should keep pets away and get an injured bat to a volunteer carer. Bats carry no risk to unborn babies from simple cohabitation.
Is bat droppings (guano) dangerous?
In the UK, the risk is very low. Histoplasmosis — the fungal disease linked to bat guano elsewhere — is not present in UK bats. Precautions are simple: wear gloves and a dust mask, dampen before cleaning, and ventilate. If you have a large accumulation, use a professional service.
Why do bats choose my house?
Buildings mimic the natural roosts bats have lost: warm, sheltered gaps under roof tiles, behind soffits, in lofts and cavity walls, near water and good insect habitat. Once a roost is established, bats are very loyal to it — which is why proofing must be done properly.
I'm doing roof repairs — do I need to worry about bats?
Yes. Roof, soffit, fascia and chimney work can disturb bats, and the law requires you to check first. A licensed bat worker can carry out a survey (usually at no cost) and advise on mitigation — including bat-access tiles where a roost must be preserved.
Can't I just catch the bat and release it far away?
No. Handling bats without a licence is illegal, and bats have been known to return to a roost from over 400 miles away. Excluded bats also need somewhere to go — that's why professional exclusion includes sealing and alternative roost provision, not "relocation".
How much damage do bats cause?
Very little. Bats don't gnaw or nest-build like rodents. The main issues are droppings and urine marking below the roost, occasional smell from a large colony, and rare cases of bat fleas/mites after bats leave — none of which are harmful with basic cleaning.
What if I find a bat during winter?
Bats hibernate from around November to March and should not be disturbed. If a bat is roosting in an unheated part of your home, leave it alone and call the helpline for advice — in spring it will usually move on naturally. Never try to evict a hibernating bat.
Is it true bats are good for the garden?
Absolutely. A single pipistrelle eats up to 3,000 insects a night, and a summer colony can consume millions — including moths, midges and crop pests. Many people deliberately put up bat boxes to keep the free pest control.
Help & resources

Where to get help

Free, expert advice is one phone call away — use it before doing anything. The helpline is run by the Bat Conservation Trust and answered by trained bat experts and volunteers.

🦇 National Bat Helpline — Bat Conservation Trust

Free advice on anything bat-related: roosts in your home, injured bats, building work, exclusion, or just "is this a bat?"

📅 Mon–Fri 9:30am–4:30pm  ·  Out-of-hours emergency line (May–Sep): weekdays 6–10pm, weekends & bank holidays 10am–10pm
✉️ enquiries@bats.org.uk  ·  🌐 www.bats.org.uk

Call free for advice 0345 1300 228 Local-call rate from UK landlines & mobiles

🏛️ Regulators

Licensed bat work & building queries:
• Natural England (England)
• Natural Resources Wales (Wales)
• NatureScot (Scotland)
• DAERA (Northern Ireland)

🤝 Local bat groups

Volunteer bat groups across the UK offer free advice, dusk surveys and injured-bat rescue. Find yours via the Bat Conservation Trust website.

🏠 Your council

Your local council or planning department can advise on building work and signpost licensed bat workers in your area. They can't "remove" bats either — but they can help.

Need help with bats on your property?

Every job starts with a free conversation — and follows the law to the letter. So you, and the bats, are protected.

The quickest way to free, expert help is the National Bat Helpline, run by the Bat Conservation Trust — they'll talk you through anything bat-related.

🦇 National Bat Helpline 🌐 bats.org.uk