Aberdeen woman discovers hundreds of bats living in her home

Aberdeen woman discovers hundreds of bats living in her home

A homeowner in Aberdeen, Scotland, has been facing a challenging situation where she discovered hundreds of bats residing in her house, leaving her with no option to remove them. Anne-Marie Murchie, the homeowner, expressed her distress over living with more than 500 protected bats inhabiting the walls and roof of her residence. Initially hearing flapping noises within the walls, Ms. Murchie later found a bat concealed in her toilet roll holder, with subsequent discoveries in her living room and kitchen.

Despite seeking assistance from the NatureScot agency, Ms. Murchie was informed that the bats, categorized as soprano pipistrelles, were expected to depart at the end of the “maternity season” in August or September. With the constant movement of the bats causing anxiety and disrupting her sleep, Ms. Murchie shared her struggle with the overwhelming noise, comparing it to running water and highlighting the challenges of residing in a bat-infested home.

NatureScot clarified that while the agency’s bat workers can offer advice and information regarding bat-related issues, they are unable to physically remove or exclude the bats from the property due to their protected status. The agency emphasized the significance of adhering to European protection laws and Scottish and UK regulations that safeguard the bats as well as their roosts. Ms. Murchie is hopeful for a resolution, awaiting an officer’s return to assess the situation and potentially provide a special licence allowing her to seal entry points to prevent future bat invasions.

Experiencing the distressing impacts of cohabitating with bats, Ms. Murchie resorted to sleeping in her car at times to escape the noise and discomfort within her house. Expressing her concerns about the rules governing the removal of bats, she questioned the feasibility of implementing a humane relocation method facilitated by licensed professionals. Despite the challenges faced, Ms. Murchie remains hopeful for a solution as she prepares to follow the necessary steps outlined by NatureScot to secure her home from future bat infestations

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