WWYD - Bat!

[BlakeCarrington]

Hello all

Please can you tell me wwyd regarding my unexpected visitor 🦇

I moved to a really rural little cottage earlier this year which is surrounded by nature, with birds, hares, bats, pheasants, deer, owls etc galore, and I absolutely love all the wildlife.

Trouble is I walked into my kitchen early yesterday evening to find a lone bat flitting about inside. Eek! I obviously slammed the door in horror then spent 5 mins hyperventilating before bravely venturing back in. Bat was gone. Top window in kitchen was open so I thought it had probably found it’s way out.

Not so I’m afraid…..

I went to the loo around 3am, was walking back along the landing when suddenly the bat appeared flitting around that confined space. OMG I freaked out. Lucky I’d already been to the loo - I sprinted along the landing to my room and slammed the door. I’d had more than enough bat bother by then so went back to sleep to deal with today.

No sign of the bat this morning or this evening. I looked everywhere. Dog isn’t sniffing anything out either.

Do you think it’s gone? Where? I left windows open before and after work so I’m hoping it’s found it’s way out. I’ve looked in all the cupboards and crannies I can access. I reaaally hope it’s gone as I can’t cope with that again tonight.

I also hope it’s ok. They’re lovely but I don’t want it dive bombing me in the middle of the night! I know there are none in my loft, but they roost(?) in a neighbours barn up the road where they have a lovey gaff. I wouldn’t ever hurt it.

wwyd? Thanks!

I'm of no use to give advice.
But...i feel this is an ideal opportunity for us all to remember this bat video from a few years ago.
Take a look at this video, 'bat video ireland' https://share.google/xaDvmfwZvOALyHujB

You need these people: www.bats.org.uk/our-work/national-bat-helpline

And if it's been trapped in the house overnight, you might want to get a rabies booster, just in case?

Up the chimney? I had one fly down a chimney…

I am often visited by bats too. Last one was flying around upstairs. I shut all the bedroom doors and left the landing window open hoping that it would go outside.
Next day at around 5pm I discovered the bat was clinging onto the curtains in my living room near the top.
my curtains are 3 metres long. My husband had to go and get the ladders and gently wrap it in a towel and let it go outside.
The bat must have been there all day, we were in and out the living room but just hadn’t noticed.
When they are roosting, it’s like they are in a deep sleep. Much easier to safely catch.

It’s highly unlikely that the bat will have bitten OP. British bats are insectivorous and will do all they can to avoid humans. There is a chance of them biting if handled, which is why licensed bat workers wear gloves.

But I agree that giving BCT a call for advice is a good idea. I suspect it’s found its own way out but still good to know what to do if it hasn’t!

Don't freak out. It's probably left by now, as it's had peace, quiet and an open window. If not, it'll be having a kip somewhere quiet and can make its own way out tonight instead.

Lovely creatures, completely undeserving of the way they're viewed and treated by some.

@Justmuddlingalong, you have performed a great service there. Thank you