Signs that show you may have bats in the house and how to deal with the issue

Some of the most obvious signs of bat activity include social calling, scratch marks, oil and urine stains, and pungent odours.

Homeowners could also check for any bat droppings, which appear similar to mouse droppings. They can usually be foundin loft spaces, near windows, walls, chimneys, gable ends and roof ridges.

Older properties are especially valuable to bats seeking shelter as they often have suitable roost sites such as lifted tiles, open eaves, gaps in stonework, under fascia and within soffit boxes.

If homeowners suspect they may impact an active bat roost, it’s crucial they contact an ecologist for advice on how they should lawfully proceed. One way to do this is by contacting a volunteer bat organisation so that a licenced ecologist can enter the roost and check.

Andrew Ward from Arbtech said: “As the colder months approach, bats are actively searching for hibernation roost sites and many homes provide the perfect conditions.

“Because bats don’t generally make much noise, many homeowners may be unaware of them roosting in their lofts or cellars.

“Signs to check for are small animal droppings, unusual odours or oily smudges near gaps in your walls.

“If you suspect there are bats on your property, it’s crucial to be mindful and never take matters into your own hands as bats are legally protected in the UK and any issues regarding bats should be handled by professionals.

“While some homeowners don’t mind bats, it can be an issue when you want to carry out works to your property, as renovations can damage bat habitats. In this case, you may need to get a bat survey to secure planning consent.

“Bat surveyors can then provide you further information on the measures you can take to legally deal with your bat issues.”

Here signs you may have bats in your house: Bats don’t generally make much noise, you can still occasionally hear their social vocalisations, especially early in the morning or late at night since they are nocturnal creatures. They often make high-pitched squeaks, alongside rustling noises.

Bat droppings are a sign of bat activity. Guano is small, dark and crumbly, often resembling mouse droppings.

When bats squeeze through small holes to enter the property, they can leave dark, oily stains around the entry points.

If you smell unusual, pungent odours in your home, it may be a sign of bats. A mix of bat droppings and urine can develop into a smell like ammonia.

Bats can leave scratch marks on various surfaces as they navigate through small cracks and crevices.

If you see a bat flying around your property during sunrise or dusk, it can be an indicator that bats have also found their way into your home.