Go Batty This Halloween: Seedball Shares Spooky Wildlife Facts to Help Bats and Bugs

Halloween is here, and while bats and creepy crawlies might sound spooky, the rewilding experts at Seedball think they’re downright brilliant. So, this October, the wildflower company is shining a light on the creatures of the night, and sharing some fascinating facts to help us all appreciate them a little more. 

There are 18 species of bat in the UK, and every single one is protected by law. These flying marvels are the only true flying mammals in the world, and they play a crucial role in our ecosystem by keeping insect populations in check. A single pipistrelle bat can eat around 3,000 insects in one night; talk about an all-you-can-eat buffet! 

Sadly, though, bats are struggling. Their numbers have declined due to loss of roosting sites and a drop in insect numbers, which means fewer midnight snacks to go around. In fact, research shows that 41% of insect species are in decline, and more than a third of British wild bee and hoverfly species are shrinking in range. That’s bad news for bats, and for biodiversity. 

But, gardeners can lend a hand. Seedball’s Bat Mix is a simple way to help bats by supporting the bugs they depend on. Each little ball contains a mix of wildflower seeds including borage, cornflower, corn marigold, evening primrose, wallflower and night-scented stock, all chosen for their ability to attract nocturnal pollinators. These flowers release scent or bloom at dusk, drawing in moths and beetles that bats feast on. 

“Halloween felt like the perfect time to celebrate bats and bugs, two creatures that often get a bad rap but are actually amazing,” says Ana Attlee, co-founder of Seedball. “Our Bat Mix is one of our favourites. It’s such an easy way to bring life back to your garden, and to do something small that makes a big difference.” 

And bats aren’t the only ones to thank you for scattering these seeds. These wildflowers are great for bees, butterflies and other pollinators too, so by scattering a few Seedballs, you’re supporting an entire mini food web. 

Spooky wildlife facts from Seedball: 

• The UK’s smallest bat, the common pipistrelle, weighs less than a £1 coin. 
• Bats can live for up to 30 years. 
• There are more than 27,000 insect species in the UK — and many are nocturnal. 
• Wildflowers provide food and shelter for moths, beetles and other night-time pollinators that bats love to snack on. 
• Bats use echolocation to navigate and catch their prey. They do this by sending out a high-pitched call which bounces back from tall hedges or trees. If the call is interrupted, they are able to tell that an insect is in front of them. 
• Bats also have superb hearing which enables them to hear the high-pitched whine of a mosquito.  
• Bats roost in hollow trees or caves, disused railway tunnels and even the tops of houses, bat-roosting sites are now commonly protected. 

This Halloween, Seedball is encouraging everyone to skip the plastic decorations and treat the garden instead, by sowing wildflowers that will feed future bats and bugs. 

The Bat Mix is available from seedball.co.uk and lots of independent retailers across the UK. 

Autumn is also the best time to scatter seeds for flowers next year, so the timing is perfect to start looking after these not so spooky flying friends.   

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Editors notes

Seedball was founded by two conservation scientists wanting to boost biodiversity and help wildlife.

Seedball Ltd is an innovative organisation on a mission to help increase the abundance of British wildflowers and the wildlife that depends upon them.

Owned by Project Maya – a non-profit enterprise - Seedball manufactures wildflower seed balls using a unique innovation of wildflower seeds mixed with clay, peat-free compost and chilli powder to naturally protect seeds from predators. Its products are sold in over 500 stores in the UK, including Kew Gardens, The Woodland Trust and Blue Diamond Garden Centres, as well as online retailers such as Crocus and Marie Curie. Each year, Seedball also donates products to hundreds of schools and community groups to help support their nature projects.