Urgent Help With Bats

[ukanonymous]

I was closing the door shutter today which we haven't done for a while and about 10 bats fell on the floor. Some of them had babies also. Anyway I put a cardbord box down for them to go in but they flew off holding their babies. Just 1 remained which looked like an adolescent bat. It climbed up to near the roof. It looks fine there but there are load of ants near it all the time. Not really sure what to do. Just leave it?
One time a baby bat fell and got eaten by the ants before we found it. . anyway Any advice on what to do would be great. I like bats and wish I never disturbed them. If I had of known I would have stayed well away :(

I am in South France near Spain so I dont know of they are protected or what or who to call in case something like this happens again.

I have noticed that there are a few more bats behind the shutters too. I might try have something built for them as opposed to living behind shutters.

[Buenchico]

Perhaps someone at one of the groups listed here can help?
http://www.chauve-souris-auvergne.fr/liens/

or try calling the UK Bat Helpline: [phone]

[Smowball]

There's a bat helpline?? I'm thinking of Batman now!

[ukanonymous]

I called them and there is not much they can do as they in the UK. One of the bats is in trouble I think and dehydrated etc. I think it may die overnight as it is only small and hasnt moved :( The rest of the bats are like 1 m away litterally as they have started to return. The small one is close but just staying by itself. The people said get it in a box and feed it water but I am a little scared to do it by myself. Sounds pathetic but I cant do it :(

[ukanonymous]

well Good news. All the bats have gone with no casualties so far as I can see :) What I am doing is placing a bat box on the side of my house that can hold up to 60 bats. I dont want them to leave just to relocate.

[RetroChic2]

One word -Rabies - Leave them well alone.

[jomifl]

If these are pipistrelle bats then they are probably just occupying a summer roost. We had these a few years ago, they found their way from the roost under the eaves into the loft and thence into the bedroom and living room. I eventually found where they had got in and plugged the tiny hole.

[ukanonymous]

jomifl thats what the expert said last night. I want a big bat den though that would be so nice :) After seeing all the babies yesterday I am now in love with bats

[mushroom25]

//One word -Rabies - Leave them well alone. //

western europe has been rabies free for at least 20 years.

[RetroChic2]

http://www.who-rabies-bulletin.org/about_rabies/Bats/Facts_Figures.aspx

[wolf63]

Years ago I had to pick up a bat and I didn't want to. They are actually like little mice with wings on. Really cute and loveable.

Good luck with your French bats - the worst bit about them is their high pitched screech.

[deano1969]

best leave alone and let nature take its coarse

[RetroChic2]

I got bitten by a bat in Canada and it was tested positive for Rabies. I had to have a series of injections and it was not pleasant.

[Islay]

Don't be put off, please read this.

http://www.bats.org.uk/pages/-bats_and_rabies-1099.html

[RetroChic2]

lol! That link actually advises NOT to handle bats to avoid the chance of getting rabies and states a scottish bat worker (whatever one of those is) sadly died from a bat bite in 2002....

[jomifl]

UKnon, you must be no more than a couple of hours from me as we live in the new Occitanie between Agen and Montauban.We had baby bats crawling across the living room carpet, up the curtains and flying in circles in the bedroom. I quite like bats having helped a few in the past, Mrs. jom has a more instinctive approach to them.. :-(

[ukanonymous]

I have bought a Bat Box that goes on the side of the house. Apparently it can hold up to 60 BAts. I am excited about getting it :)