Bats - a query

[afcbm]

Hi, we have bats nesting behind a fascia board on a gable end of the house

The time has come to paint the house including this gable end. Is there anything you'd recommend or alert me to? I don't particularly want to disturb them, and certainly don't want to harm them. Could I slap a coat of paint on in the day and they'd be none the wiser?

Thanks very much

[posie]

Hello, I cannot answer fully, but bat experts will be here to help you soon..Welcome to WAB.

Posie..

[posie]

Please don't give up waiting for a reply, guess all the bat experts are out for the weekend studying bats..

[Kayleigh]

I am no expert but they tend to have different roosts through the summer so can you leave the painting till later they will disperse and go off and hibernate in the Autumn so cant you paint when you know they have gone..
They are protected by law so maybe best to contact your local bat group for further advice..

Welcome to WAB..

[thunder]

Originally Posted by afcbm

Hi, we have bats nesting behind a fascia board on a gable end of the house

The time has come to paint the house including this gable end. Is there anything you'd recommend or alert me to? I don't particularly want to disturb them, and certainly don't want to harm them. Could I slap a coat of paint on in the day and they'd be none the wiser?

Thanks very much

If the bats were 'at home' they'd certainly hear the paint being applied, and smell any fumes. Much better to wait until autumn, when they will most likely vacate your fascia and move elsewhere. An approach to your local bat group would be the best bet, they will be able to give you advice first hand as to an appropriate time.

henrya

[nightshade]

The fumes may kill bats, it is illegal to kill bats or disturb their roost, please wait until October when the roost (they do not nest) breaks up and the bats leave to swarm and hibernate. Alternatively you could leave it to early Spring.
Thank you for your concern and asking for advice

[afcbm]

Thanks guys. I'll wait til later on. All the best

[nightshade]

Will you get your local bat group around to see what type of bats you have, it all helps with national figures (and I would love to know what they are)
A roost near me has bats under tile cladding and there were 320 souls

[The Woodman]

Hi afcbm

To get some free advice from a trained, insured and licensed bat worker, contact your local Natural England or via the Bat Conservation Trust, some good advice on their webpage here....Building / Remedial Work - Bat Conservation Trust

SNCO stands for Statutory Nature Conservation Organisation. If you live in England it will be Natural England.

Contact with the BCT Helpline will steer you in the right direction.
Contact Us - Bat Conservation Trust

As said, your local bat group should be eager to help, too. Please don't be concerned about contacting the larger organisations, they are there to help and have good resources. Good luck.

[Uv moth notingha]

WARNING , bats are seriously protected creatures . The laws concerning their welfare are extensive , to even handle a bat you must have a liscence and any possible disturbance of a roost could be treated as a serious offence . Also bear in mind that bats are extremly sensitive to all paints , varnishes and wood treatments and will die if they come into contact the fumes emmiting from them .
My advise would be to get in touch with the bat conservation trust as soon a possible and get a trained bat worker on the scene .
Certainly do nothing until the trust have been consulted ,
on a brighter note , the bat conservation trust will be very pleased indeed to hear about your bat roost , !!!

Hopefully that was some sound advice .
UVMOTH Seth