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Original poster

HELP! Bat in bedroom!!

50 replies

paperandpaint · 19/07/2017 23:34

We're in a holiday cottage in Herefordshire and there's a bat in our bedroom!!! Help! It's going craz. How can we get it out - anybody???

OP posts:
Original poster
paperandpaint · 19/07/2017 23:35

Crazy I mean!

OP posts:
TupperwareTat · 19/07/2017 23:35

Leave window open. Close door.

Sleep on sofa. Move out tomorrow.

Open wine NOW

Spudthecat · 19/07/2017 23:36

Gosh rather you than me

Hotheadwheresthecoldbath · 19/07/2017 23:36

Open the window and turn the light off and leave the room for a bit.They usually find their way out but some very young ones get lost.

SealSong · 19/07/2017 23:37

As above, open window and leave the room, shutting the door. Keep calm and don't scare it, it will find its own way out.

DramaAlpaca · 19/07/2017 23:39

Open window wide, turn off lights.

Someone stands outside & shines a torch up at the window.

Bat will fly towards the light out of the window.

Or it might not but it's worth a try.

Original poster
paperandpaint · 19/07/2017 23:43

Thanks all! We have vacated the bedroom, the teenager is up and excited and the baby is in his carrycot in the living room and we're fri king tea.. It's like the blitz. But with bats!

OP posts:
CremeFresh · 19/07/2017 23:45

Shave all your hair off so it doesn't get tangled up !

Original poster
paperandpaint · 19/07/2017 23:45

Drinking tea - not friking tea!!

OP posts:
mistrals · 19/07/2017 23:46

This happened to me, the cat brought it in through the cat flap then ran away leaving me hopping about and the bat skating around on the floor. The RSPCA helpline advised me to throw a tea towel over it and gather it up and put it on an upstairs window sill. Apparently they can't take off from the ground and have to sort of fall off somewhere and start flying mid air. It worked and the bat launched itself off into the night. Good luck. Smile

seesensepeople · 19/07/2017 23:46

Bats are not attracted to lights, they use sonar. However opening the window is a good idea as they will see this is the clear exit route...

Catzpyjamas · 19/07/2017 23:49

Advice from Bats.org website

centreyourself · 19/07/2017 23:51

I had this OP. Apparently it's the little ones, whose sonar isn't as well-practiced.

I left the room with the hood on my hoodie up. Very quickly.
Didn't go into the room for a few weeks days (window was left open)
But I do empathise Grin

thesleepingdogsarelying · 19/07/2017 23:52

Someone I knew regularly had bats in DC's bedrooms - they became adept at hooking them out of the window with an empty washing basket.

youcantakethegirloutof · 19/07/2017 23:55

We had this one year on holiday - as other suggested just opened the window and wine. My partner was less relaxed about the whole thing and wasn't convinced it had left so started checking the drawers and cupboards! Not quite sure what kind of bat he thought it was Grin

Original poster
paperandpaint · 19/07/2017 23:56

He's gone - thank you so much mumsnet!!

He did get in my hair! I was actually filming the little creature at the time and the film then cuts to a very horror film esq section where I drop the phone and scream "oh god it's in my hair"! Ahem. A little dramatic but I've never had a bat in my hair...

OP posts:
Original poster
paperandpaint · 19/07/2017 23:58

Washing baskets are a great idea. If I ever fulfill my dream of living in the country I'll position one in every room!

Ps - Herefordshire is beautiful. I've never been before but bloody love it 😊

OP posts:
CremeFresh · 19/07/2017 23:59

Told ya Grin glad he's gone

Original poster
paperandpaint · 20/07/2017 00:03

Thank you!

OP posts:
UtterlyBatty · 20/07/2017 00:07

I'm a bat carer. Turning off the lights and opening the windows was totally the right thing to do. I would suggest that you check the room thoroughly, though, especially folds of curtains etc, as sometimes they hide rather than fly out of the window.

If you need to catch a bat, put a soft cloth or tea towel over it to scoop it up, and put it in a box with air holes in, and a milk bottle top of water.

you can always ring the BCT helpline and they will advise you and put you in touch with a local carer if necessary.

Pinklady301 · 20/07/2017 00:08

Am I the only one that wants to see the video? Grin

I had this myself a few years ago in my attic bedroom one hot night. The bat flew straight in through my window and perched upside down on my curtain rail! I totally shit myself, dived under the duvet and when I finally got some courage to emerge it had gone!

Lunenburg · 20/07/2017 00:10

Regular occurence here as I have a Maternity Roost in the loft above my bed.

I keep a small fishing net under the bed. Gently scoop them up and leave them on the window ledge to fly off.

UtterlyBatty · 20/07/2017 00:11

It must have been a very panicky youngster to get caught in your hair, btw - their echolacation is so good that that very rarely happens.

i would urge people to ring the Bat Conservation helpline rather than the RSPCA, though - they don't always give very good advice. A bat (or bird, or anything, frankly) that has been catted needs antibiotics or it will die from a bacterial infection - cats carry some very nasty bacteria in their mouths (and on claws).

UtterlyBatty · 20/07/2017 00:12

*echolocation

pieceofpurplesky · 20/07/2017 00:13

Just as an aside - bat shit really stinks (just in case there is a smell!)

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