Bats are among the most misunderstood and vulnerable mammals in the UK. Of the eighteen species that breed here, several have suffered steep declines over the past century. Loss of roosting sites is a major factor. Old trees with hollows and crevices, barns with loose tiles, and draughty lofts have disappeared or been sealed up. Yet bats are not difficult to help. A simple wooden box on a sunny wall, combined with a few night-scented plants, can turn your garden into a vital refuge. You do not need a large plot or a rural location. Even a small urban garden can support pipistrelles, our most common bat, if it offers warmth, shelter, and a reliable supply of insects after dusk.
Not all bat boxes are equal. The best designs mimic the narrow crevices bats naturally use: a shallow, vertical slot with a rough landing area below. For British gardens, a crevice-style box with a 15–20mm entry gap suits pipistrelles. A larger box with a 40–50mm opening may attract brown long-eared or Natterer's bats. Avoid boxes with large, open cavities; these are more likely to be used by birds or wasps. Look for untreated, rough-sawn timber such as oak or beech. Treated wood can contain chemicals harmful to bats, so check that the box is marked as untreated. If you are handy, you can build your own from a single plank: a simple three-sided box with a slanted roof and a narrow entrance is often more successful than a shop-bought novelty.
Placement is everything. Bats need warmth to raise their young, so a south-facing or south-west-facing wall is ideal. It should receive direct sun for at least part of the day, but not be exposed to strong winds. Mount the box at least 3–5 metres above the ground, clear of branches or wires that could obstruct the bats' flight path. Do not position it above a door or window where light and noise will disturb them. If you have room, put up two boxes: one on a warm south wall and one on a cooler north or east wall. This gives bats a choice of microclimates. Use a sturdy bracket or screws into a solid wall. Avoid hanging boxes from trees; they sway and are less secure. Clean your hands before installation, and never use insecticides near the box.
Bats emerge at dusk to hunt. A garden rich in night-flying insects will keep them returning. Many moths, midges, and beetles are drawn to pale, night-scented flowers that reflect moonlight. Plant these near your bat box and along the route bats might take. Good choices include evening primrose, night-scented stock, sweet rocket, honeysuckle, jasmine, and tobacco plant. Buddleia is excellent for butterflies by day and moths by night. Lavender and bergamot add scent and attract a range of insects. Avoid double-flowered varieties, which often produce little nectar. Let a patch of long grass grow; it shelters caterpillars and other larvae. Skip pesticides entirely — even organic sprays can kill the insects bats depend on.
Bats need water for drinking and for the insects that breed in it. A small pond, even a sunken washing-up bowl, will help. Keep it free of fish, which eat larvae, and add a few stones for perching. A bog garden or damp border works too. Shelter is equally important. Hedgerows, mature trees, and climbers such as ivy provide commuting routes and extra roosting spots. Ivy is especially valuable because it stays warm and offers many crevices. Finally, reduce artificial light. Security lights and bright garden lamps can deter bats and disrupt their feeding. Use warm, downward-pointing lights with motion sensors, or switch them off after dusk. Darkness is a bat's ally.
Once your box is up, patience is key. Bats may take a season or two to find it. Watch at dusk from a distance, ideally with a red-filtered torch, which disturbs them less than white light. You might see a small, fast-flying shape darting around the garden — that is likely a pipistrelle. Listen for social calls using a bat detector, though you do not need one to enjoy the spectacle. Remember that bats and their roosts are legally protected in the UK. You must not disturb a roost, handle bats without a licence, or block access. If you suspect bats are using your box, leave it alone and record your sightings for your local bat group. Your garden can become a small but meaningful part of a national network of bat-friendly spaces. With a well-placed box, a few night-scented plants, and a little darkness, you are giving these remarkable animals a fighting chance.
Tawny Refuge shares practical, down-to-earth guidance on british wildlife gardening and backyard conservation for readers across the UK.
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