Bat Boxes for British Gardens: How to Attract Nocturnal Wildlife

Bats are some of Britain’s most important and overlooked garden visitors. Unlike birds and insects, they are active at night and help keep insect numbers under control. Installing a bat box in your garden or on a shed gives bats a safe place to roost and raises biodiversity in your outdoor space.

At BRDBX, our bat boxes are handmade in the UK by social enterprise RAW and designed to suit urban and rural gardens. They offer a secure, welcoming home for native species such as pipistrelle bats and blend naturally into walls, trees or sheds. Explore our bat boxes

 

Why Bats Are Valuable in Gardens

Most UK bats feed on midges, mosquitoes and moths. One bat can consume thousands of insects in a single night. That makes them natural pest controllers for gardeners.

Bats also indicate a healthy ecosystem. Their presence shows that your garden supports insects, has clean air and provides safe roosting spaces. Yet habitat loss, light pollution and modern building practices have reduced natural roosts, making bat boxes increasingly important.

 

How Bat Boxes Help

A bat box provides a sheltered daytime roost and a place to hibernate during cooler months. Unlike birds, bats do not build nests. They prefer narrow, dark spaces that feel safe and stable.

In urban or suburban areas, a bat box can replace cavities in old trees or buildings. It may take months or even years before bats occupy it, so patience is essential.

Related: Bird Boxes for UK Gardens

 

Best Placement for a Bat Box

- Correct placement is key for attracting bats:

- Mount the box three to five metres above ground

- Choose a wall or shed for stability and warmth

- Position it in some sunlight, ideally south or south east facing

- Keep it away from bright lights, as bats follow dark flight paths along hedges or tree lines

 

Safety and Wildlife Considerations

Bats are shy and avoid humans and pets. They are clean and pose no risk when a box is placed outside. Installing a bat box helps bats find a home outside buildings, reducing the chance they settle indoors.

All UK bats are legally protected. Avoid disturbing roosts inside roofs or trees, and only use licensed professionals if work is required.

Related: Bug Boxes for Garden Biodiversity

 

Supporting Nocturnal Wildlife in Your Garden

Bat boxes work best as part of a wildlife-friendly approach. Native planting, leaving hedgerows intact and reducing pesticide use all help increase insect populations. That attracts bats naturally.

Adding a bat box is a practical, simple way to make your garden a haven for nocturnal wildlife. Over time, you may enjoy watching bats swoop and hunt at dusk, knowing your garden is supporting life day and night.