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Bat boxes for trees


Bat houses: a guide to creating a roosting box for bats

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Adding bat houses to your garden is one of the easiest jobs you can do to help to transform your backyard into a nature-friendly plot.

Of course, we all know the importance of wildlife garden ideas – they are a key part of our ecosystem and a vital part of protecting the planet. And while you might already have been feeding birds or – in the UK – have set up hedgehog houses – it is also important to spare a thought for bats. 

These winged mammals have so much to offer. A single bat can eat up to 1,200 mosquitoes each hour – which makes a significant impact on mosquito population control – and surprisingly, bats are important pollinators for many plants, even some that are not pollinated by any other species.

There are 47 species of bat across the United States, but one of the most commonly sighted is the little brown bat as they habitually roost in buildings. However, they are also one of the most endangered. In many countries around the world, bats are protected species meaning that it is illegal to disturb roosting bats. 'In North America, bats have protections in their natural environments and some laws protect bats when they occupy a home or building,' explains experts at Bat Conservation International .

Here, we look at the benefits of bat houses and roosting boxes.

Why should I install bat houses?

You should install bat houses in your garden because they offer a safe place for bats to roost and raise their young. Bat populations are on the decline and therefore, it is more important than ever to protect them. 

Like so many animals, bats are becoming increasingly at risk due to deforestation and urbanization. ‘Bats roost in a variety of different places, from holes in trees, to churches and other buildings, to caves, mines and railway tunnels,' explains Ness Amaral-Rogers, science communications executive at the RSPB . ‘But as old trees are cut down, buildings disturbed and mines filled in, bats are left with very few natural roost sites. ’ 

Thankfully, we can help to combat this by providing artificial roosts, also known as bat houses.

Unfortunately, if you already have bats roosting in your roof, adding bat houses are unlikely to lure them away, says Douglas Kent, technical and research director at the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings . ‘However, it’s still a good idea, especially as it’s generally considered that the loss of bats’ natural habitat is what leads to them using buildings in the first place.’

(Image credit: Getty Images)

What is a bat box for?

A bat box is similar to a bird box in size, however, instead of having a hole in the front opening to a large box, it is composed of several small rectangular boxes (between 15mm and 25mm deep) which have been joined together. This replicates bats' natural roosts as the small spaces help to protect them from predators. 

It is also vital that the wood used for your bat box has not been treated, as bats are very sensitive to chemicals, and that it has a rough, sawn surface, as this will give the bats purchase when roosting. If your wood is not already rough, use the teeth of a saw to create a surface on which the bats are able to grip. 

Where should a bat box be placed?

A bat box should be placed in a sheltered location about 4m above the ground. 

Whether building your own bat houses – The Wildlife Trust has a useful guide – or installing a ready-made box – Amazon sells a whole range of bat houses – its location is key. 

The Bat Conservation Trust recommends that bat houses be placed in areas where bats are known to feed; positioned at least 4m above the ground, ideally on a tree trunk; away from artificial light sources and sheltered from strong winds. Ness also recommends ‘positioning your bat houses so they face between southwest and southeast and make sure there is a clear flight line in’. 

If you don’t have a tree available, you can place your bat houses under the eaves of your house; bats are attracted to eaves and many older houses will already have bats roosting in their roofs.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

How do you attract bats to bat houses?

You attract bats to bat houses by placing the bat box in good location: 4m above the ground and in a space where they are known to feed.

However, encouraging bats to your bat houses requires patience, it can take months or even years for a bat to find your box. However, there are a few tips and tricks to make it even more enticing. ‘Putting up more than one is recommended. Research has shown that bats are more likely to roost if you put up several boxes near each other,’ advises Ness, ‘and some foliage around the box will encourage use, such as climbing rose or honeysuckle.’  

Even though it may take a while for bats to find your bat houses, they are creatures of habit. ‘Once bats find a bat box, they tend to return regularly but only use them for a few days at a time, so they need lots of roosts’ says Matt. 

You will be able to tell that your bat houses are being used if there are droppings underneath it. ‘The droppings (like mouse droppings made of crumbly stock cubes) are also a very good fertiliser for your garden,’ continues Matt.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

When should you put up a bat house?

You should put up a bat house in early spring or early fall. Bats rely on bat houses throughout winter, while hibernating, and during summer when they are raising their young. Therefore, you should put up your bat houses just before these busy periods when bats are searching for a space to roost. However, there is no reason you can't put them up at another time of the year, it just may take a little longer for your bat houses to become occupied.

Do you have to clean bat houses?

No, you do not have to clean a bat box, unless it has been used by a bird. Some smaller birds like to try and build their nests in the lower part of the bat box. If this is the case, leave the birds be until the end of summer and then remove the nest, clean and rehang for bats to make use of during the coming winter.  

Disadvantages of bat houses

There are few disadvantages to having bat houses on your property – however, be careful not to site yours above windows or doors – the bats' droppings will make a mess around and below them; anywhere above or around a patio or decked area should be avoided for the same reasons. Away from the house where the bats can roost peacefully is best.

Having graduated with a first class degree in English Literature four years ago, Holly started her career as a features writer and sub-editor at Period Living magazine, Homes & Gardens' sister title. Working on Period Living brought with it insight into the complexities of owning and caring for period homes, from interior decorating through to choosing the right windows and the challenges of extending. This has led to a passion for traditional interiors, particularly the country-look. Writing for the Homes & Gardens website as a content editor, alongside regular features for Period Living and Country Homes & Interiors magazines, has enabled her to broaden her writing to incorporate her interests in gardening, wildlife and nature.  

Where to Put a Bat House in Your Yard

If you’ve been having mosquito or insect control issues, then buying a bat house may be on your mind. Bat houses offer one of the best ways to control mosquitoes throughout your backyard and property.

Just like everything else in life - you have to install a bat house properly for it to work. Sadly, this is where many people end up going in the wrong direction. Many cheap bat houses don’t offer any advice about where to put a bat house in your yard.

At Big Bat Box, we understand that your bat house is worthless without proper installation. So we dove into the details and developed a system. Using this unique system, we can help you attract more bats than ever before.

More bats equal less mosquitoes and insects. But don’t take our word for it! Just listen to what one of our satisfied customers had to say after installing a Big Bat Box:

"Your bat house came highly recommended from my brother in law. We last counted 70 bats. ..talk about bug control.  We went from constantly needing bug spray to needing absolutely nothing - ever.  Thanks for making and selling these!" - Dave, Colorado

Alright, let’s dive in and find out where to put a bat house in your yard!

Where to Put a Bat House in Your Yard

We’re confident in our bat attracting systems here at Big Bat Box, but we must point out one thing. Bats are wild animals. There’s no guarantees in the bat house game. By following these directions, you simply give yourself the absolute best chance at attracting bats.

Here’s exactly where to put a bat house in your yard:

Ideally, you have a natural source of water within 1,500 feet of your property. If you do, then there’s a great chance you’ll attract more bats than you could ever imagine. Do you have a stream, lake, pond, creek, or other source of natural water nearby?

If you do, you’re in luck. We’ll try to place the bat box as close to the water as possible, but at least 25-50 feet away from the shore. This also means you can buy a big bat box. Bats form colonies near water. As such, you’ll have a great chance of filling a Big Bat Box with up to 200 bats or more.

If you don’t have a natural source of water within 1,500 feet, that’s ok. You can still attract tons of bats, but you’ll need to take a different route. First, you’ll want to invest in 1-3 bachelor bat boxes. These smaller boxes can house up to 20 bats at a time, all bachelors.

This means a colony won’t form around your property, but you can still get over 60 bats living on your land with these types of bat boxes. That’s more than enough bats to completely eliminate your mosquito issues.

To entice bachelor bats, make sure you have some type of artificial water source fairly close to the houses.  Koi ponds and birdbaths both do well here.

Trees play an important role in where you’ll place your bat house. Bats houses must be at least 20-30 feet away from any tree line. Why? Because bats do NOT like to be near tree branches. Tree branches make it easy for predators to snack and prey on bats all day.

If you have a tree line, not just a few trees, then you’ll want to place the boxes about 20 feet ahead of the tree line as close to the water source as possible. We’re getting close to finding the perfect place for your bat house.

Think about it like this:

Bats need a lot of heat to survive, especially at night. There’s a reason hundreds of bats sleep together in one tiny house. It’s because they can stay warm together through their body heat. They like bat houses for this reason.

To ensure you attract more bats, make sure your bat house is facing SE or SW. When facing in these directions, a bat house will receive ample sunlight during the day. Many locations will get 2-8 hours of sun when facing these directions.

The sunlight will warm the bat house up to an ideal temperature for bats. As well, a warm bat house will attract mama bats looking to nest. Female bats refuse to nest in locations they deem too cold.

A bat house should generally be 12-20 feet off the ground. Bats like to be far away from other animals and humans, especially predators like cats. We’ve found a height of 20 feet tends to be ideal.

If your home can meet all the conditions laid out above, then mounting the bat house on your home isn’t a bad idea. However, most homes aren’t perfectly situated to attract bats. Thus, other options should be considered.

Most people find mounting their bat house on two 20' posts to be ideal. By using posts, you give yourself a great deal of flexibility when thinking about where to put a bat house in your yard. This flexibility typically results in more bats if you do things properly.

While this doesn’t have a lot to do with location, the color of the bat house will help attract bats, too. See, paint color plays a huge role in how hot and cold the bat house gets - and we already know how important temperature is for female bats.

As such, you’ll want a bat house that’s painted darker in cool climates. In warmer climates, a light color is ideal.

Where to Put the Perfect Bat House: Everything You Need to Know

By following the instructions above, you’ll give yourself the absolute best chance to attract bats. Put your Big Bat Box in the proper location and you may find more bats on your property than you could have ever imagines.

The best way to do just that? Grab a Big Bat Box by clicking here and install it

DIY bat box; natural mosquito repellent

The bat box is a simple design to provide a home for our bat friends who, by being discreetly present, reciprocate by clearing the surrounding area of ​​insects, especially mosquitoes, during their nocturnal "raids"

Usually artificial shelters such as such as the DIY bat box presented here are used in the scientific field to study the habits of bats, but building and installing such a shelter in a protected area of ​​​​the garden can be very useful: bats are completely harmless and represent an excellent system in the biological control of mosquitoes, which are increasingly number inhabit summer evenings. nine0003

The material used to make the DIY bat box is 15mm thick marine plywood, plus some 20x30mm battens for the frame and an 80x10mm board for the top cover. The finished bat shelter should measure approximately 600x350x50mm; the front is in two parts, separated by a ventilation slot of approximately 10mm, and the interior space should be 25mm from top to bottom, tapering at the bottom opening for bats to enter and exit. nine0011 Inner lining with mosquito net helps bats cling to the inner surface.

The best time to install such a shelter coincides with the end of winter, around the middle of March, so that the animals, as soon as they finish hibernation, can perceive the bat box bat box as a friendly structure and populate it within summer, when they are in full activity due to the abundance of insects. If it seems convenient to them, it is possible that, despite the fact that they are accustomed to spend the winter period in caves and gorges, they will decide to consolidate their stay in it even during hibernation, so it is better not to remove it with the onset of an unfavorable season. nine0003

Build a box for bats with your own hands in no time

  1. Construction took place in the "Manualità, un gioco da ragazzi" laboratories in Gavi. The main characters were students of classes 3A A and 3A B, divided into two groups, in total 4 shelters were made. They had the back and front panels of the bat boxes already cut out (600 x 350 and 400 x 350 mm), and based on them they made a design, drawing and cutting out parts of the frame and the remaining boards. nine0028
  2. Sanding the edges and chamfering the corners was first done by hand with a pad and sandpaper, but it is also helpful to learn how to use a hand sander to avoid over-deleting.

  • After marking the equidistant points for inserting the screws, the invitation holes are drilled with a hand drill.
  • When the frame slats are well aligned, stacked on the bench and covered with adhesive, and the back panel is laid on top of each other, proceed to connect them with screws. nine0002

  • In order to make it easier for bats to "climb" indoors, the original models proposed by the Natural History Museum of Florence included a series of horizontal cuts on the inner surfaces of the panels, 2-3 mm deep and 10 mm apart, from top to bottom. In order to make the construction feasible for young apprentices, it was decided here to cover the inside with a mosquito net fixed with staples.
  • A thin layer of glue and two screws on each side to fasten the bottom board to the front, then the overlay of the "roof", slightly protruding from the side and front: the structure is complete and can be finished with a wood preservative, strictly water-based. All that's left to do is make a rear mount for the suspension, depending on where you decide to place it. nine0028

    If you have doubts about the size of this bat box and how it works, you will be interested to know that from a similar box installed on the facade of a house in Tuscany, between Florence and Siena, at the end of July at dusk up to 65 bats were seen hunting at night!
    A film documenting this event can be viewed below:

    Bats: flying helpers in your garden

    Bats are active at night and therefore often remain invisible. These are predators that actively eat insects, some of which are garden pests or simply annoying insects such as mosquitoes. Over the past half century, the number of bats has decreased significantly. So try putting in a little effort to make your gardens more animal friendly. Bats are recognized as indicators of biodiversity, and their presence is an indication of a healthy, insect-rich environment. nine0003 photo: pixabay.com

    1. What do bats need?

    Feeding

    Bats feed on insects, especially those that are active at dusk and at night. In addition to moths, bats eat other insects such as mosquitoes, midges and flies, certain types of beetles, and other nocturnal insects. Bats primarily grab insects on the fly, using echolocation to locate their prey. Some bats pick up insects that rest on the foliage. nine0003

    Shelter

    During the day, bats hide in dark places, such as hollow trees, under roofs, under tiles, in loose bark on trees, or in splits in tree trunks and branches. At different times of the year, bats can move between several places of rest, which are used as daytime overnight stays, a kind of maternity hospital, and also shelters for the winter months.

    Water

    Some bats specialize in attacking their prey near ponds and other bodies of water where they feed on insects. nine0003

    Landscape

    Landscape features such as hedgerows are important to bats, both as feeding areas and for navigation. They are used by bats when they travel between different feeding grounds.

    photo: pixabay.com

    2. What can be done to make the garden more bat-friendly?

    Increasing the food base is the main factor in attracting bats. Some features in your garden, such as compost heaps and ponds, are especially good for supplementing the diet of bats, as they attract insects that are their food. Grow flowering plants that can attract moths and other nocturnal flying insects. White or pale colored flowers are more likely to attract nocturnal insects. Be more tolerant of insects in your garden. A few caterpillars won't do much damage, but they will turn into a great one for bats. Avoid using pesticides wherever possible. nine0003

    Finding a home for bats is relatively easy. They usually find their own hiding places, but special bat boxes resembling birdhouses can be placed in your garden on tree trunks or building walls. They can be purchased at garden centers or made from leftover wood that has not been treated with chemicals.

    photo: pixabay.com

    Unlike birds, bats mostly fly to warm sheltered places. This should be taken into account when placing shelters. Therefore, choose illuminated places on the south or west side. Avoid placing shelters over doors or windows, or anywhere where bats can be disturbed by people or pets. Be aware of the places that bats use as shelters and do not touch them unless absolutely necessary. Keep old trees with hollows, loose bark or splits, but only if safety reasons allow. nine0003

    3.

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