Ireland is currently home to nine species of bat. All our bats are totally harmless, much smaller than people imagine and very dependent on humans for their survival. All Irish bats eat insects; some prefer chunky beetles and moths while others catch large numbers of small flies and midges. However, during winter when insects are scarce, Irish bats hibernate; they lower their body temperature and heart beat, which enables them to survive for periods without feeding. In Ireland, as throughout the rest of the world, they account for almost a quarter of all mammal species.

Female bats form nursery colonies in summer in order to raise their young. A female bat gives birth just once a year to one baby, usually in June. Once the young are independent, the females move off to join male bats that have roosted singly or in small bachelor groups during the summer.

Mating takes place in autumn. This is a busy time for the males, as they need to perform elaborate flights and emit special signals, often audible to humans, to attract females.

Bats live in a variety of places or 'roosts', both natural and man-made. Bats move between roosts throughout the year, needing warm sites in summer for rearing the young and cold sites in winter for hibernation. Most bats like to live in roofs of occupied houses, which are warm and dry. Most of our bats fly up to a building, land and then crawl through a small opening. Bats do not make nests; they simply cling to the timber, felt or stonework of the building. Usually the first clue to the presence of bats in a house is their droppings. These are similar to mice droppings but consist of dry insect remains that crumble to a fine powder, while those of mice are smooth, sticky when fresh and hard when old.

All Irish bats are protected under the 1976 Wildlife Act and also by The European Habitats Directive. It is an offence to intentionally kill, disturb, handle or keep bats without a licence. Never block up access holes in summer as this will have disastrous consequences for the mothers and young.

If you come across bats in your attic, don't panic! In the vast majority of cases, you need do nothing. However, if the bats are giving rise to concern, you need to liaise with a professional pest control technician or a bat group, on ways to alleviate the situation.

HOW TO TACKLE BATS

Bats are a protected species in Ireland so don't kill them. If you come across a bat in your house, call in the professionals to remove it.