Animal-friendly insulation

You want to insulate your home. Did you know that small birds and bats often live under roofs and in cavity walls of homes? Often without you knowing it. In Wassenaar, for example, many bats live in older homes and these animals can then lose their homes or be killed. Bats are a protected species. There is therefore the possibility of insulating your home in an animal-friendly way. To do this, we create a species management plan (SMP). 

What is a species management plan?

A species management plan (SMP) is a plan by the municipality to properly protect protected animals and plants throughout the municipality. This is done on the basis of extensive ecological research. The SMP not only ensures the legal protection of vulnerable species, but also helps to sustainably conserve them. With this plan, the municipality can apply for an area-specific environmental permit from the province.

Aqua-Terra Nova survey of bats, house sparrow and swift

By October 2025, basic flora and fauna surveys of properties throughout the municipality will have been completed. This is how we know where animals live. We did this survey so we know which animals (building-occupying bats, house sparrow, starling, swift and house swallow) are common in Wassenaar. As a result of the results of the study, there is an option for animal-friendly insulation. See more information below,

Do you want to get started insulating your home in the coming period? 

Then there are the following options:

  1. You may isolate yourself if you have research done by the E-Dna method.
    * If research with E-Dna excludes the presence of building-dwelling bats, you may isolate.
    * Is by E-Dna research the presence of building-dwelling bats demonstrated, it is necessary to have year-round flora and fauna surveys conducted. Then the Omgevingsvergunning flora en fauna can be applied for with a procedure of 14 weeks.
     
  2. Animal-friendly insulation may not.
    Then wait to insulate until SMP's animal-friendly process is established. After that, the process of animal-friendly insulation takes about 15 working days. We are currently in the process of preparing the SMP. Therefore, no isolation can be done under the SMP at this stage. 

More information about insulation and what options are available in Wassenaar can be found on Custom Advice. 

Frequently Asked Questions

I want to insulate now, What to do

You can directly insulate yourself, provided you do so in advance: 

  • have a survey with E-Dna method done and rule out presence of building-dwelling bats.
  • have a year-round ecological survey conducted in the presence of building-dwelling bats and apply for a permit.

Why should I wait to insulate until the municipality has applied for an area permit?

The advantage of insulating under the granted area waiver is a shortened procedure of 15 working days. A regular permit process is 8 to 14 weeks.

Which animals in homes are involved?

Animals such as house sparrows, swifts or bats. The house sparrow is on the red list of endangered breeding birds. Swifts in the Netherlands also need more protection. Bats are a protected species under the Omgevingswet. 

Are bats or other animals in my home dangerous?

No, these animals are not dangerous. In fact, bats are useful. One bat eats about 1,000 mosquitoes per night. 

Why is animal-friendly insulation necessary?

Insulating homes is often desperately needed to save energy. In regular cavity wall insulation, the insulation company injects insulating material into the cavity. In the process, animals are often killed and their habitats disappear. Nature-friendly insulation combines Health for protected species and the preservation of homes.

What home insulation is involved?

It involves insulation of roof and (cavity) wall. Placement of a possible dormer falls under the same permit.

How does animal-friendly insulation work?

In animal-friendly insulation, the insulation company first allows the animals to fly away, a few days before the home is insulated. In addition, the company makes sure to provide replacement habitats for the animals. For example, bats are given a new residence in the cavity: the cavity shelter (see image(s). 

Is my house properly insulated with cavity housing for bats?

Yes, research done by the municipality of Utrecht shows that homes with cavity houses are still well insulated. 

Are there any other things I should consider if I want to insulate animal-friendly?

Good ventilation is important if you are only insulating the cavity wall - and not the roof. The insulation company can help you with this. It is also important that your exterior wall is in good maintenance condition. 

Want to get started with animal-friendly insulation yourself? 

Then you must go through several steps. It also includes some steps that need to be reported to us. See below the 3 steps:

Step 1. Report it to the municipality at least 5 working days before starting step 2 below with your permit number:
1. Have the cracks and holes of your home sealed.
2. Have verification that no species have been left behind. If present, coordinate with ecologist necessary.
3. Hang alternative habitats for the animals.
4. After going through steps 1 to 3 and after at least 15 working days, you may start insulating.

Step 2. Do not disturb or kill bats, house sparrows or swifts.
Let them fly out of your cavity wall or under the eaves yourself, with the help of an animal-friendly insulation company, after which the site is sealed off from flying animals by the insulation company (see illustration). 

Step 3. You must hang or install your own alternative habitats in advance of the insulation, such as the temporary bat box or the masonry bat box (see images). This is mandatory.

I am a housing cooperative

Housing associations can use the Requirements from the Aedes Code of Conduct for insulation.