With Halloween just around the corner, many of us will be getting out the decorations, planning an evening of trick-or-treating or carving a pumpkin with the family.
One of the most well-known symbols of this spooky time of the year is of course the sight of bats, adorning everything from plush toys to children’s costumes. The only true flying mammal in the world, bats are fascinating animals, with over 1,400 species known to us, with more discovered all the time. Over 25 per cent of all mammal species in the UK are bats.
Unfortunately, the bat population in this country has decreased significantly over the last century, in part due to a loss of habitats. This Halloween, Barratt David Wilson Homes Exeter is taking the opportunity to make its residents and buyers aware of our often-misunderstood flying friends, and what can be done to support their revival.
Nicki Reid, sales director for Barratt David Wilson Homes Exeter, said: “Although bats are often associated with this time of year, many of our developments now have bat boxes installed to welcome our nocturnal neighbours all year round. We’re confident that our buyers moving into their new homes across Devon will love having bats next door.
“The boxes installed across our developments – which includes more than 275 across Devon alone – will provide a boost to the local bat population by giving them a safe place to call home. This is just one part of our ongoing drive to enhancing biodiversity at all our new communities, creating a wildlife-rich environment which we know is so important to our buyers.”
While many homes have bat boxes already installed, it’s simple for anyone to build their own homemade habitat for them. Bat boxes or tubes – either homemade or shop-bought – should be secured either on mature trees within hedge-lines, or on houses close to hedgerows and tree lines. They should generally be installed at least four metres above the ground, in a spot where they are sheltered from strong winds and placed in a south-facing direction to keep them warm. Try and keep boxes away from street or security lights to protect bats from predators.
To learn more about bat boxes and how to put up your own, visit the Bat Conservation Trust’s website.
Barratt David Wilson Homes Exeter is currently building new homes at Hampton Mill and Okement Park in Okehampton, Berry Acres in Paignton, Victoria Heights in Alphington and Fairfax Heath in Tiverton.
For further information visit www.barratthomes.co.uk or www.dwh.co.uk
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