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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

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. 

questions and answers - Elfond

When does a bat need human help?

If

● The bat lies on the ground,

● The bat is located in bright light,

● The bat hit the premises in the house daily,

● The bat fell into the clutches of the cat,

● a flightless bat pup is outside the colony's shelter,

● bat stuck to sticky paper or burdock,

● bat caught on a fishing hook,

● bat fell into a bucket or any other narrow vessel with smooth walls,

● bat fell into the water,

● bat cover damaged.

Don't start "rescuing" a bat if it's in the attic, basement, or any other hiding place. If in doubt, ask an expert for advice.

Where to report bats and who to ask about bats? nine0003

If the bats or their sanctuary are in danger, or if something bad has already happened, you can report it to the Environment Department's 24-hour phone number 1313 . The operator will register the message and transfer the information to those who will continue to deal with it. who finds a dead bat is obliged to report it to Department of the Environment .

Bats are rare, so it's important to report your find to experts who research these animals. We can communicate by phone or email and give you more precise instructions. You can take several photos of bats and then it will be easier for specialists to understand what is wrong. nine0005

Estonian Foundation for Bat Conservation

team leader Lauri Lutsar, tel. kontakt

The bat expert can be found in the open Facebook group „Nahkhiiresõbrad”.

Mouse observations are collected in the nature observation database:

https://lva.keskkonnainfo.ee/

How to deal with a bat?

A bat should only be caught if it is in danger. You should act thoughtfully and take care of both your own safety and the safety of the animal! First of all, you need to find a suitable box for the bat. For these purposes, a shoe box is best suited, in the lid of which it is necessary to make small holes for ventilation. You can put a piece of cloth or a napkin in the box, as well as a bottle cap for water. A person who is not afraid of a bat should touch it. As soon as she froze, then you can immediately get down to business. Often a bat can be directed into a box without even touching it. nine0005

Warning! Bats should not be handled with bare hands as there is a VERY LITTLE RISK of contracting rabivirus, which causes rabies. It is necessary to use THIN GLOVES, rubber gloves are very suitable for this purpose. If you are still scratched or bitten by a bat, then immediately consult a doctor. To date, there is an effective rabies vaccine that provides protection even after a bite, but a visit to the doctor should not be delayed. nine0005

Briefly on how to catch a bat in the box

● The bat must be carefully covered with a box.

● After that, it is necessary to place the cardboard under the box so that the mouse is on the cardboard and inside the box.

●                      If the above fails, you can carefully lower a piece of cloth or a towel over the bat and place it in the box with it. A piece of cloth or a towel in a box is good because the bat can hide under it. nine0005

● Close the box with the lid.

●     Now is the time to report the bat to an expert and ask what to do next.

● Once the bat has calmed down, place a bottle cap with a couple of drops of water in the box.

● Next, act in accordance with the recommendations of expert on bat. Basically the recommendations are as follows: if the weather is warm, if the bat is healthy, it is getting dark or already dark outside, then the situation is ideal for the animal to fly away naturally - take the bat outside and set it free. The animal needs some time to get used to it, it will not fly right away. As soon as the bat climbs out of the box, you can bring it to a tree trunk or a building wall. Once there, she will decide when to leave. The main thing is to make sure that the cats do not get to the bat. An open box can also be placed at night in some secluded place (for example, on a woodpile under a barn) from which the bat can get out on its own. nine0005

What if the bat is sick or injured?

If a bat appears to be injured or ill, it is imperative that you report it to the Environment Department's emergency number 1313. One of the most common causes of injury in bats is falling into the paws of a cat. If the mouse has been there, then it is almost certainly damaged.

What to do if a dead bat is found?

In accordance with the Environmental Protection Act, a found dead bat must be immediately reported to the Department of the Environment (Environmental Protection Act § 63). nine0005

What to do with a bat hanging on the wall of the house for several days?

If nothing poses a direct danger to her, then you should leave everything as it is and try to disturb the bat as little as possible. The bat is a nocturnal animal, it does not want to fly during the day. If the time is warm, then it will fly away with the onset of night; in cold weather, it can remain in place for several days in a row.

How do you tell a bat pup from an adult?

Flightless bat pups can be found in Estonia in the second half of June or July, sometimes in early August. At any other time, the bat found is an adult, which may just be small (different bat species have different sizes). A bat pup has short or no hair, underdeveloped wings, and unlike an adult animal, the bones of the forearm and fingers necessary for flight are shorter but thicker. You can get a good idea of ​​the difference between the two by comparing the photos. nine0005

Do bats attack people?

No, not in our part of the world (the blood-feeding bats of Central and South America are a very rare exception [1]). It is sometimes said that bats fly into the hair. Bat researchers who have watched these animals a lot over many nights believe that young individuals who are not yet able to fly well are behind such rare cases. Also, it might seem to a person that the bat got into the hair, but in fact it just flew by very close. nine0005

What should I do if a bat flies inside the dwelling?

If it is dark outside, then she must be allowed to fly out of an open window or door. A bat in flight can find its way out of a room by itself using echolocation. Also, she can be directed to the exit by blocking her path with a towel. If the animal sits somewhere, then it is worth trying to catch it in a box (see “How to handle a bat?”).

If it's light outside, don't drive the bat away. It is worth trying to catch her so that she does not get lost among the things in the room. nine0005

Where can you find bats?

Bats are animals capable of flight, they can be found in very different places suitable for flights . It can be said without exaggeration that there are no places in Estonia where not a single bat has ever landed. In the warm season, these animals often fly where there are many flying insects - these are feeding places for bats. Shelters should be located near feeding sites during the daytime. Sometimes it is located at a distance of several kilometers from the feeding place. Different species prefer different feeding areas and types of hiding places. For many species, old trees in manor parks are a good summer residence, since the places of food and shelter in them are located nearby. Some bats prefer to use tree hollows as shelters, and the other part of the building, where they can settle behind cladding boards, in the attic, behind window hatches, in roof structures, in fugue slots. During migration, bats use a new hiding place every night. At this time, bat houses are very suitable for them. Bats spend winter at wintering grounds . In the Estonian climate, these are (semi) underground rooms where the temperature does not drop below zero degrees: cellars, caves, military concrete bunkers, shaft wells. The two-color leather is an exception and has never been seen in such places - most likely it winters in heated buildings (for example, in apartment panel houses, in large hospital buildings).

How to identify the type of bat?

Flying (adult) bats are the easiest to identify by their external features; recognizing non-flying pups is difficult even for experienced researchers. When determining the species, it is necessary to think first of all about how to disturb the animal in the least possible way. nine0031 A person who picks up a bat must be vaccinated against rabies in order to determine its species. On the Internet you can find a key to bats in English [3] and Estonian [4], there is also a key to Estonian mammals [5].

Using echolocation ultrasound to identify species, animals are not disturbed and there is no possibility of contracting rabies, but this requires a bat detector. This is a very interesting activity for nature lovers. nine0005

If you manage to take a photo of the animal, you can send it to specialists who will help in identifying the species.

How do bats get into the house?

Mostly through a hole or crack. On a summer night, for example, through an open window or door. If a whole colony of bats lives in the house, then they can get inside through the cracks in the building. For small species, a centimeter gap is sufficient. Sometimes bats enter the house through the chimney or ventilation pipes. nine0005

Do bats build nests?

No, they do not collect material for building and do not build nests (in Europe). In other parts of the world, there are bats that build their own shelters.

Is it possible to catch any disease from bats?

Bats, like other animals, can carry diseases. Most of these diseases are specific to a species or to a certain group of species and do not pose a danger to humans. For humans, only the rabies-causing rabivirus, which is also carried by bats, is dangerous. Rabies is always fatal, but fortunately there is a vaccine. Over the past decades, isolated cases of human infection with rabies from a bat have been recorded in Europe. Between 19From 77 to 2002, only four such cases are known in Europe, in none of them a person was vaccinated. Rabies in these cases is known to have been caused by the bat rabies virus EBLV1 or EBLV2 (EBLV = European Bat Lyssavirus ). This virus is transmitted through saliva if the animal bites through the skin of a person, and also if saliva gets on the mucous membranes, in the eye or on damaged skin. Through intact skin, the virus does not enter the body. Infection by bats is a very unlikely event. nine0032 Despite this, touching bats is only worth wearing gloves. If there is a suspicion that, upon contact with a bat, its saliva could get on the mucous membrane or a damaged area of ​​the skin, then you should consult a doctor for preventive vaccination.

What if there are bats in the basement?

Cellars are a good wintering place for bats, but they can find out about the presence of a cellar at other times of the year, and in winter they can only use this knowledge. There can rarely be more than ten individuals in the basement. If the basement is used in the traditional way for storage, as it has been for decades, then the bats won't be bothered. It is worth avoiding lights left on for a long time or touching animals, as well as long stays in the basement and noisy work. Basement repairs should not be done during the wintering of bats. When repairing, you should pay attention to the fact that the ventilation holes are not sealed, and the cracks in the doors and windows are not sealed too much - so that there is no situation in which the animals could not get into their wintering place. In the worst case scenario, the bats could be trapped in the basement. Therefore, in the spring it is desirable to ventilate the basements, while opening the vents clogged for the winter or slightly opening the door or window. nine0005

Who are the enemies of bats?

There are no animal species that feed on bats in Estonia. Predator-prey relationships do not have time to form because bats are good at flying and hiding, moreover, they are rare and not evenly distributed. Bats can become accidental prey for owls, martens, rodents, and even shrews. Therefore, in a sense, bats are at the top of the nocturnal food chain and are like apex predators. Of the natural factors for bats, indirect human activity poses the greatest danger - they often become victims of cats. nine0005

References

[1] Fernanda Ito, Enrico Bernard & Rodrigo A. Torres. 2016. What is for Dinner? First Report of Human Blood in the Diet of the Hairy-Legged Vampire Bat Diphylla ecaudata. Acta Chiropterologica, 18(2), 509-515.

[2] A. R. Fooks, S. M. Brookes, N. Johnson, L. M. McElhinney & A. M. Hutson. 2003. European bat lyssaviruses: an emerging zoonosis. epidemiol. Infect. (2003), 131, 1029–1039.

[3] Christian Dietz & Otto von Helversen. 2004. Illustrated identification key to the bats of Europe. electronic publication. Version 1.0. First released 12/15/2004

[4] Nahkhiirlased. Vespertilionidae. (Eestis ja naabruses) [määramistabel] https://www.terio.ee/failid/oppematerjal/nahkhiirlased_Eestis_naabbruses.pdf

[5] Mati Kaal (koostaja). 1981. Eesti imetajate määramistabelid. Eesti NSV Tallinn, 1981. https://www.terio.ee/failid/oppematerjal/maaramistabelid.pdf


©2017-2018 Estonian Foundation for Nature, project "Improving the habitats of pond bats (Myotis dasycneme) in Estonia". All rights reserved. The project is financed by the LIFE program of the European Union, the Center for Environmental Investments and project partners. The materials on this site may not reflect the official position of the European Commission. nine0005

What to do? if bats have settled in your home ....

All species of European bats and their habitats are subject to conservation in accordance with the provisions and requirements of the Bonn Convention, which the Republic of Belarus signed in 2003.

For violations of the legislation on the protection and use of wildlife (illegal capture, harm to wild animals, destruction of dwellings, etc.) administrative liability is provided for under Article 16.23 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Republic of Belarus:

entails a fine in the amount of

up to 20 basic units - for an individual

from 10 to 100 basic units - for an individual entrepreneur

from 20 to 500 basic units - for a legal entity

yourself if a bat flew into a house (apartment)?

At the end of July or in the second half of September-October during autumn migrations, bats can fly into a house, apartment, attic or other premises. nine0005

If this happens, you need to know a few rules that will help you in this situation:

  1. do not panic, the bat will not harm you;
  2. know that bats do not show aggression towards humans or pets;
  3. Keep bats away from pets. As a rule, this leads to mutual injuries;
  4. do not try to catch the animal yourself, as you may injure it. nine0213

If, nevertheless, it becomes necessary to pick up the animal (for example, the animal is on the floor or hanging on a chandelier), it is necessary to do this only with tight gloves, since European bat species can carry the non-classical rabies virus.

The animal should then be examined to make sure it is not injured and released.

If gloves are not available, you should carefully cover the animal with a box, slip a thick sheet of cardboard or something similar under the box and take the bat outside (in summer). nine0005

!!! FORBIDDEN !!! DROP an animal from a balcony or window - it may fall to the ground and become prey for cats, dogs or crows.

The best practice is to carefully land the bat on a tree trunk or some vertical surface and then make sure the animal flies away.

What should I do if bats have settled in the attic of a house, in an outbuilding, behind a window trim or in any other place?

Bats live in various cavities of natural origin (caves, tree hollows, cracks under the bark) or artificial (attics, cellars, cellars, vegetable stores, etc. ).

For wintering shelters, bats in the conditions of Belarus use exclusively shelters of artificial origin, since they maintain a constant temperature and there are no sharp changes in it.

I. First of all, it must be remembered that:

  1. a colony of bats that has settled will practically not harm a person; nine0213
  2. contrary to popular belief, bats will not attack humans and will not gnaw on electrical wires;
  3. As a rule, a colony of bats that settled in a house during the summer period is maternal, i.e. is a cluster of adult females with cubs. Such colonies inhabit well-heated parts of the building (attics). In chiropterans, cubs are born at the end of June. Then, during July, the development of the cubs occurs. Females with cubs are extremely vulnerable at this time and any disturbance can result in the death of newborns. Starting from the end of July, the colonies leave their summer shelters. nine0213
  4. do not disturb the bats until the arrival of specialists.

    Learn more