There are many threats to the bats in the UK and Cornwall.

• The intensification of agriculture, inappropriate riparian management and changes in land use leading to a decline of insect prey and loss of connective flyways which act as feeding and commuting routes.

• Misunderstanding of the legislation protecting bats, leading to loss or damage of roosts when consultation procedures have been ignored.

• Loss of and/or disturbance to winter roosting sites.

• Loss and disturbance of other roosts, particularly maternity roosts, through use of toxic timber treatment chemicals, intolerance by roost owners, inappropriate building practices, and tree felling.

            Mine workings.                  

Originally, bats were animals of woodland and river valleys, roosting in hollow trees and caves. With the destruction of woodlands, they adapted to living in buildings and, particularly in Cornwall, in old mine workings.

However, in recent years many such sites have been blocked up for safety or by the tipping of rubbish. Many mineshafts in Cornwall have been capped although some district councils, notably Carrick and Kerrier, have incorporated bat access routes in the caps.

                   Buildings

Roost sites in buildings have been reduced when access holes have been blocked up, while re-tiling and re-felting of old buildings have often resulted in the exclusion of colonies.

But one of the greatest threats is timber treatment. It is estimated that every year, ten thousand buildings are treated with chemicals which are lethal to bats and which, under certain conditions, can affect humans. If you want to see how dangerous these chemicals are, just read the directions on the containers.

Fortunately, permethrin, boron, and other chemicals available now, are efficient and less toxic to bats. Most pest control  firms use them please check to ensure that the chemicals being used are approved for use within bat roosts. 

However "bat friendly" these chemicals claim to be they should be allowed to dry before bats are likely to come into contact with them. If you need to have timber treatment to your property and know you have bats, please contact the helpline for advice.

Trees                  

Another threat to bats is the felling of dead trees. These are important to the species which roost and hibernate in them. The grubbing up of hedges and the use of herbicides reduce the supply of insects on which bats feed.