Where Do Bats Live?

Bats are found all across Jersey. They live in a roost – not a nest, and they need different roosting conditions at different times of the year and will move around to find a roost that meets their needs. In summer, female bats form maternity roosts while in winter, bats use hibernation roosts.

Exactly where bats can be found depends on the species of bat, the time of year and what they’re doing.

All bats in Jersey are insectivourous, meaning they eat insects. In order to survive they need foraging habitats in which to hunt insects, water to drink, places to sleep, raise their babies and hibernate and safe commuting routes between these locations.

All known roosts in Jersey are within buildings, however it is likely that bats are also roosting in trees. In July 2014 two Juvenile Natterer’s were caught during a trapping session in St Catherine’s woods, indicating a possibility of a maternity roost in the woodlands.
They may also be hibernating in caves around the island.

Bats can use many different roost locations through the year but they often return faithfully to the same ones ever year. Unlike rodents bats will not chew through cables and are very quiet so most people are unaware that they have bats living in their property!
In Jersey bats are commonly found roosting under fascia boards, inside soffit boxes, in loft spaces and in barns. There are a few signs that you can look for if you think you have bats.

Bats and their roosts are protected by law, learn more here.