By Vera Vida.
Brown long-eared bat (Plecotus auritus)
2020 wasn’t easy for anyone, and it sure did not go easy on bats. These magnificent creatures faced even more threats and negativity than they usually do, not to mention all the misinformation regarding COVID-19. It’s important to mention how precious and essential they are in our ecosystems, helping us with pollination, pest control, research; the list goes on. Many species are threatened or endangered, and spreading fake news and facts is only making it worse for them. Luckily, there are some simple ways we can help them out – and you don’t have to be a bat conservationist or biologist to do so. I encourage bat lovers everywhere to spread the word, because they still need us – now more than ever.
1. Make sure your garden is bat-friendly
This Bat Mix from Seedball is perfect for attracting insects to your garden that bats feed on!
Spring is slowly approaching, so if you have a garden, there are a couple of things you can do to invite bats. First of all, a bat box is a great idea – you can buy or even make one for some of your late-night visitors! Some bats struggle with finding a good place to roost, so a nice bat box will probably do the trick. Make sure it’s high up on a wall of your house or a tree.
Another thing to keep in mind for a bat-friendly garden is to attract moths and other insects that bats eat. If you have a little pond and plants like Jasmine and Honeysuckle, they can attract insects and consequently, bats! A pond is also a good idea so you can provide some water for the bats to drink.
Last but not least, if you have pets, keep them away from bats. If your visitors do show up, pets should avoid possible droppings under the bat-box. Also, as cats and dogs are good hunters, we probably don’t want them around in the same garden anyway.
2. Help save injured bats
The Bat Conservation Trust have brilliant advice and resources on their website, as well as the National Bat Helpline to answer any questions.
Many people don’t know (understandably) what to do when they come across an injured bat. There are two golden rules we always have to remember: Firstly, don’t touch the bat unless it’s absolutely necessary, and especially not without wearing gloves. After all, you want to protect yourself as well as the bat. Secondly, don’t try to take care of the bat on your own if you have no experience – leave that to the professionals. Call your local wildlife rescue service immediately. Thankfully, these days it takes a few minutes to look up these numbers and services.
However, if you would like to know more about saving injured bats (just in case) you can read more about it in this excellent resource by Bat Conservation Trust here.
Remember – do not touch bats and if you think you have found an injured animal, always call trained professionals for help.
3. Educate yourself
I know now that one of the best things I could possibly do in 2020 was to educate myself on these misunderstood but beautiful animals. You can always do some research, read books, attend webinars, and talk to bat conservationists and scientists – as there are millions of fascinating facts to learn about bats. I have always loved them, but the knowledge I acquired during the past year has truly made me even more amazed. Also, who doesn’t love sharing cool facts at parties or meet-ups? This question leads us right to the next tip:
4. Educate others & spread the word
The greater horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum).
Even though learning more about bats is a huge amount of fun in itself, why would you keep all that information to yourself? Spreading the good word and cool facts about these misunderstood and unappreciated creatures is one of the best things we can do to help and end the spread of misinformation, and ultimately, chiroptophobia (the fear of bats). People need to know just how gorgeous and useful bats are and that their fear is mostly based on myths.
I’m a teacher so I’m lucky enough to do this while doing my job – trying to educate a new generation of bat lovers, so they grow up respecting and not fearing or blaming bats (read more on this in my previous Creature Candy blog post here).
I also enjoy sharing these facts with my friends and family. Other than chatting to them, you can use your platforms to campaign for bats: post positive news, fun facts, cute pictures and videos and your personal opinions – just do it with passion. Believe me, people will notice.
(Speaking of, you can follow me on Instagram @verasbattyblog).
5. Volunteer, donate or help wherever you can
Last but not least, you can take this whole thing one step further and take action. Volunteer, donate, adopt, or spread the word about bat organisations and their work.
In some instances, you can help the work of an organisation by volunteering. Look up your local services, contact them and see if there is anything you can help with. If this is not possible, the best idea is a donation. Sometimes even the smallest amount helps, and just the thought of helping can make you feel nice.
You can also symbolically adopt a bat, so you support bat conservation and also get a certificate and sometimes even a cute gift. I have personally done this, and I have to say, it makes me proud to say that I’m a bat mum.
(Since you’re here, don’t forget that Creature Candy supports the work of Bat Conservation Trust – they donate 10% of the sale price of each bat product. Take a look at their shop!)
Of course, there are many things you can do for our hand-winged friends, you just have to find the most suitable way for you to help. Trust me, sometimes even the simplest things can make a big difference.
Find more from Vera:
Take a look at our bat ranges below
We donate 10% of the sale price of our bat products to Bat Conservation Trust.
PRE-ORDERS (posted early September)
A slightly bigger mug than our old one - we’ve listened to our customers requests!
Dimensions: H 94mm, D 84mm, capacity 14oz.
There is no better way to enjoy a cup of tea or coffee than from an English fine bone china mug. Our Creature Candy fine bone china mugs feature a beautiful hand drawn image of a brown long-eared bat Plecotus auritus, including descriptive text about the species.
Designed and made in England.
Dishwasher & microwave safe.
10% of the purchase price will be donated to the wildlife charities we support.
Did you know? Bats are the only true flying mammals in the world.
Invite nature inside with our Creature Candy print featuring a beautiful hand drawn image of a brown long-eared bat Plecotus auritus. Each print is presented on textured G. F. Smith paper, giving the image a sense of depth and realism. Available in A4.
Designed and made in England.
Prints are unframed and printed on sustainably sourced paper.
10% of the purchase price will be donated to the Bat Conservation Trust.
Did you know? Bats usually only have one baby a year and can live for up to 30 years.
Keep in touch with your loved ones with our range of Creature Candy greetings cards. This bat card features a beautiful hand drawn image of a brown long-eared bat Plecotus auritus. Cards are A6 size, blank inside and come with a light grey envelope.
Printed on FSC certified paper.
Designed and made in England.
10% of the purchase price will be donated to the Bat Conservation Trust.
Did you know? Bats are most active in the summer months when they come out of hibernation, hunt insects, give birth and raise their young. You are more likely to see bats around sunset or sunrise in warm, dry weather.
Send happy birthday wishes with our range of Creature Candy birthday cards. This card features a beautiful hand drawn image of a brown long-eared bat Plecotus auritus. Cards also feature silver foiled lettering, are blank inside and come with a light grey envelope.
Size 15cm x 15cm
Printed on FSC certified paper & packaged in biodegradable cello bags.
Designed and made in England.
10% of the purchase price will be donated to the wildlife charities we support.
Did you know? In the UK, bat populations have declined considerably over the past century. Threats include: loss and fragmentation of habitat, diminished food supply, destruction of roosts, disease and hunting or killing of bats.
PRE-ORDERS (posted early September)
A slightly bigger mug than our old one - we’ve listened to our customers requests!
Dimensions: H 94mm, D 84mm, capacity 14oz.
There is no better way to enjoy a cup of tea or coffee than from an English fine bone china mug. Our Creature Candy fine bone china mugs feature a beautiful hand drawn image of a pipistrelle bat Pipistrellus sp., including descriptive text about the species.
Designed and made in England.
Dishwasher & microwave safe.
10% of the purchase price will be donated to the wildlife charities we support.
Did you know? A tiny pipistrelle bat can eat up to 3,000 insects in one night.
Keep in touch with your loved ones with our range of Creature Candy greetings cards. This bat card features a beautiful hand drawn image of a pipistrelle bat Pipistrellus sp. Cards are A6 size, blank inside and come with a light grey envelope.
Printed on FSC certified paper.
Designed and made in England.
10% of the purchase price will be donated to the wildlife charities we support.
Did you know? Bats play an important role in many environments around the world. Some plants depend partly or wholly on bats to pollinate their flowers or spread their seeds, while other bats also help control pests by eating insects.
Invite nature inside with our Creature Candy print featuring a beautiful hand drawn image of a Pipistrelle bat Pipistrellus sp., Each print is presented on textured paper, giving the image a sense of depth and realism.
Available in A4.
Designed and made in England.
Prints are unframed and printed on sustainably sourced paper.
10% of the purchase price will be donated to the wildlife charities we support.
Did you know? Bats wings are actually hands that have adapted for flight, which means they are very flexible and able to move independently.
