As well as being one of the most threatened types of mammal in Britain, bats are also among the most misunderstood. Far from being nasty dangerous animals, they are attractive small, furry insect eaters who need all the help they can get. In return they will help to control a large range of garden insects. Bats need a range of roosting sites, including summer daytime roosts, winter hibernation ones and breeding sites. You can help them find a suitable roost by putting up a simple bat box - this one is finished in black (for absorbing heat to keep the bats warm during hibernation), with the words 'Bat Box' etched into the front panel. Shallow grooves have been cut into the inside of the back panel, allowing bats grip to gain entry. The best place to position a bat box is on a tree, ideally, in groups round three sides of a tree - bats like to move from one box to another during the day and from season to season as temperatures change. A steel hanging loop is attached to the rear of the bat box, and two screws are included to assist with mounting.