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Is your garden full of mosquitos? A great way to keep flying insects at bay without harmful chemicals is to recruit bats to eat them. Providing the right habitat for bats encourages them to settle nearby.
Bats like to live in narrow crevices in wooden structures, such as under the bark of a tree or even in window frames and attics. Some locations are less ideal than others, so providing a bat box or bat house is an excellent way to encourage them to live in a desirable place.
An ideal bat house will mimic the natural characteristics that they are looking for. It has a narrow wooden room with some surfaces for bats to hang upside down during the day as they sleep, groom, and interact with other bats. Bats then leave the shelter at dusk to look for food.
Can i build my own bat house?
Many models are relatively easy to build if you are just a little handy. There are also numerous pre-built bat houses that you can purchase.
Cedar wood is an excellent choice because it is so durable and naturally prevents rot and rot. Avoid using treated wood, which could be undesirable or even harmful to the bats.
This video guides viewers through making a bat box from cedar fence posts and requires a circular saw.
You can download a free bat house blueprint from the Bat Conservation International website.
What color do I need for bats?
The color of the bat box depends on where you live. If you find yourself in a cold climate, including the Northeast and parts of the upper Midwest and Northwest, use a black or dark box. In much of the United States, a medium-colored box is ideal. Refer to this map to determine the best color for your area.
Where should I hang a bat box?
Finding a good location for your bat box is crucial in order to have the best chance of attracting a bat colony. So let’s examine some of the most important factors to consider.
Sunny location
Bats like a sunny spot where the box can get six to eight hours of direct sunlight. Direct sunlight is especially critical in colder climates where sunlight is needed to keep things warm. So avoid hanging the bat house on a shady tree or on the north side of a house or garage. The east or south sides of structures are best.
Installation site
The best place to hang a bat box is on a pole (in temperate or tropical climates) or on the side of a structure. Trees usually offer too much shade and the branches can hinder flight, making them a less attractive location.
Mount the house at least 12 to 20 feet in the air. The bat colony must be able to fall when exiting the box so that vegetation and other obstacles block its flight. Bats are also afraid of owls and climbing predators, so hang your bat shelter at least 20 feet from trees if possible.
Proximity to the water
Bats prefer to live near a source of water such as a stream, lake, or pond. Such places are also more likely to have a lot of insects to eat.
A quiet location
Like most wildlife, bats prefer to stay in low-traffic areas. So avoid places where the bats will be disturbed, e.g. B. near a busy motorway or a hunting ground for cats.
How long does it take for the bats to move into the bat box?
This varies greatly depending on the accommodation needs in your region. When the need is greatest, bats can move in within a few days. Often times, bats can take months or even years to take up residence. If you have a good quality bat box and it’s hung in a good place, be patient.
Why are bats so important to ecosystems?
Bats play several important roles, including spreading seeds, controlling insect populations, and pollinating plants. Hence, bats play a vital role in ecosystem health and agricultural productivity by reducing the need for insecticides and preventing crop damage.
Unfortunately, bat populations have been declining for decades, in part due to white nose syndrome, a fungal disease that has killed millions of bats. Other major threats to bat populations are wind turbines and habitat loss.
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