HOMES for bats as well as humans are high on the agenda for a South Warwickshire developer.
David Wilson Homes has put up bat boxes at new developments at Bishops Hill in Bishops Itchington, Beaumont at Warwick Gates and Heritage Grange in Lighthorne in a bid to support the creatures and provide them with new habitats.
The move was also in time for International Bat Night tonight (Sunday) organised by the Bat Conservation Trust.
Bats make up more than a quarter of mammal species in the UK and around 20 per cent of those worldwide – with over 1,400 species in total.
David Wilson Homes spokesperson Steve Barton, said: “It’s important we provide homes for wildlife as well as people and bats are certainly no exception, which is why our Warwickshire developments now have bat boxes installed to welcome our nocturnal neighbours.”
Tips for residents looking to attract bats to their gardens include planting a diversity of flowers including night scented ones such as evening primrose, moonflower and honeysuckle. Bats also like linear features like hedgerows and tree lines as not only are these a navigational aid, but they are ideal perches for feeding and roosting.
Bat boxes are available to buy but are also simple to make. However, make sure they are well insulated as bats do not like draughts and a ‘bat ladder’ must be installed adjacent to an entrance of no more than 15 to 20mm wide to prevent predators from entering.
Avoid lighting gardens with artificial lights. While cat owners should limit the amount of time they allow their pets to roam outside in the evenings as cats are one of the biggest causes of bat casualties.
Mid-June to the end of August is the key time to keep cats indoors at night as this is when bats will be looking after their babies.
