Bats may have gained a negative reputation around the world, but London Network for Pest Solutions (LNPS) firmly supports the conservation and protection of these cute and cuddly creatures. They are a protected species in the UK, so getting rid of bats is the one thing we won’t do.

Read on to learn why we’re proud to follow London pest control guidelines to protect the livelihood of this species and avoid getting rid of bats.

Bats in the UK

While there are more than 1,300 bat species worldwide, the UK is home to 18 varieties. Despite the infamous depiction of blood-sucking bats in British horror fiction, bats in the UK only eat insects. The fluffy creatures have worked hard to hang onto their natural habitats, but unfortunately their population in the UK has experienced a sharp decline in recent years. Several national groups and voluntary organisations now work in partnership with the Bat Conservation Trust to support the survival of bats across the UK.

Protecting bats in the UK

Working closely with scientists and environmental experts, bat groups can record and map their locations and monitor the progress of British bat conservation projects. The protection of their natural habitats, roosts and feeding areas is also required to ensure the population continues to thrive in the wild. Fortunately, these efforts are paying off and bats have maintained a presence in the UK. You may be surprised to learn that they now account for almost a quarter of the entire UK mammal species. Other popular British mammals include rodents, rabbits, hares, deer and those found in and around our waters, such as otters and seals.

Bats and viruses

Following the recent global coronavirus outbreak, bats have gained a bad reputation in wider communities. Reports quickly spread that Covid-19 stemmed from Chinese residents who contracted the virus by eating infected bats in China, where the winged mammals are reportedly available to purchase from wet markets.

Bat-borne viruses have been loosely credited to SARS and Ebola outbreaks in the past, yet this remains to be scientifically proven. The only virus that bats in the UK are known to carry is rabies and the risk to the public remains astoundingly low. The UK has only ever experienced one reported case. There are no other known diseases associated with bat populations in the UK.

How to protect bats

If you want to learn about bats in your local area and how to protect them, why not join a community bat group? Look out for fascinating bat walks and webinars during summer, when International Bat Night takes place across the country on Saturday 29th August 2020.

To learn about our humane pest control services and our experience as a longstanding London pest control company, click here.

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