Wildlife and animal intruders
Bats in the loft: a protected species you must not disturb
All UK bats and their roosts are strictly protected by law. It is a criminal offence to kill, injure or disturb bats or to damage or block a roost, even when no bats are present. If you find bats in your loft, do not try to remove them: contact the Bat Conservation Trust helpline for free advice, and use a licensed ecologist before any work.
- Also known as
- bat roost, protected bat species (all UK bats)
- Easily confused with
- birds nesting in the eaves, rodents in the loft
- How serious
- High legal duty: strictly protected, so never disturb a roost
- Typical cost
- Usually no cost for DIY control
How to identify bats in the loft
Signs of a bat roost include small, dry, crumbly droppings (which unlike rodent droppings turn to powder when rubbed) gathered below entry points, and bats seen leaving the roofline at dusk.
Bats are quiet and clean, do not gnaw or build nests, and do not chew wiring, so the absence of gnawing damage helps distinguish them from rodents or squirrels. Roosts are often in roof spaces, behind soffits, or in wall cavities.
How serious is it?
High legal duty: strictly protected, so never disturb a roost
The seriousness here is primarily legal, not structural. Bats do not damage timber or wiring, but disturbing them is a criminal offence.
Because all UK bats 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 deliberately kill, injure or disturb a bat, or to damage, destroy or obstruct access to a roost, even if it is empty at the time. Any loft conversion, reroofing or treatment work near a roost must follow the legal process.
How to fix it yourself
- Do not attempt to remove, deter or block bats, and do not carry out roof or timber work near a roost, as this is likely to be a criminal offence.
- Leave the bats undisturbed and avoid using the immediate roost area until you have taken advice.
- Contact the Bat Conservation Trust National Bat Helpline, which gives free advice to householders on living with bats and what the law requires.
- If you plan building, roofing or timber treatment work, arrange a bat survey by a licensed ecologist before starting, as the work may need a licence from the relevant statutory body (such as Natural England).
- Keep cats indoors at dusk if a bat is grounded, and follow the helpline advice for safely containing a single bat that has come inside.
When to call a professional
- Always, before any work that could affect a roost: this is a legal requirement, not a choice.
- When you find a roost, a grounded bat, or are planning a loft conversion, reroofing or timber treatment.
Who to call
- The Bat Conservation Trust National Bat Helpline for free initial advice.
- A licensed ecologist or bat consultant for a survey, and the statutory nature body (for example Natural England) where a licence is required.
Frequently asked questions
Is it illegal to remove bats from my loft?
Yes. All UK bats and their roosts are strictly protected, so it is a criminal offence to kill, injure or disturb bats, or to damage, destroy or block a roost, even when empty. You must not remove or deter them yourself. Contact the Bat Conservation Trust helpline and use a licensed ecologist.
Do bats damage a house?
No. Unlike rodents and squirrels, bats do not gnaw timber or wiring, build nests, or cause structural damage. They are quiet and clean. The reason to take a roost seriously is legal protection, not damage, so the response is to leave them undisturbed and take advice, not to control them.
I am planning roof work and have bats. What do I do?
Stop and take advice before starting. Any work that could affect a roost may require a survey by a licensed ecologist and a licence from the statutory nature body, such as Natural England. Contact the Bat Conservation Trust helpline first, then arrange a survey, so the work is done lawfully.
Sources
Editor, HomesAndHedge
Oliver leads HomesAndHedge's editorial coverage of home and garden problems. He researches and writes the plain-English explainers on pests, invasive plants, damp and mould, drainage and wildlife, drawing on guidance from bodies such as the Property Care Association, the RHS and the NHS, and is clear about when a job needs a qualified professional.
Last reviewed: 8 June 2026