Bat Box, Bat House What is a Good Design and Mounting Location?

[goeduck]

I searched and found some threads on Bat Boxes (bat houses?) but not as much information as I hoped for. Has anyone tried different designs and have a preference? Also post where you have had the best luck mounting them. I read at least 10 feet up on a south, southeast or east facing location that gets at least 5 hours of sunlight a day, particularly in winter. Not near branches, etc. I am wanting to put one up above my shop rollup door but wonder if the door motoring open will discourage them from nesting. Also if the motion sensor lights and dusk to dawn lights would discourage them. The closest fresh water creek (I live on saltwater) is about 1/2 mile down the beach. I would hope that is close enough.

 

[Old Retired Cop]

I put one up about 3 years ago on the south end of the barn, no other obstructions etc., and still not a bat. But did find a dead one on the electric fence surrounding my garden.

 

[cholland]

Lot of info here plans and kits, etc.
BCI

Bats swoop across water to drink. They don't land. 6-8 feet of unobstructed water surface is enough for smaller bats.
Livestock troughs can be a way to provide water for bats.

 

[ruffdog]

I tried bat boxes and never had luck. People say you have to smear bat poop on a new box to make them feel welcome but I never did that. I do have bats that fly out of my stacks of firewood when I mow past.

 

[goeduck]

I tried bat boxes and never had luck. People say you have to smear bat poop on a new box to make them feel welcome but I never did that. I do have bats that fly out of my stacks of firewood when I mow past.

Where would one get bat poop to smear on a bat box if you do not have bats? :laughing:

Some is probably going to say that Amazon sells it.

 

[nbking]

Had to do it

 

[3Ts]

I am wanting to put one up above my shop rollup door but wonder if the door motoring open will discourage them from nesting.

I don't know about the door motion, but if they do take up residence, you should expect bat guano on whatever is below the box.

 

[boomer1025]

I don't know about the door motion, but if they do take up residence, you should expect bat guano on whatever is below the box.

Not only will the bat guano get on stuff but it's also not something to be around.
Are bat feces dangerous to touch or breathe?

 

[Fuddy1952]

Where would one get bat poop to smear on a bat box if you do not have bats? :laughing:

Some is probably going to say that Amazon sells it.

Bela Lagosi

 

[MFWD]

Hello,
I made a real nice bat box years ago and attached it up about 20 feet on the side of a big pine tree. I never got any bats. Then I read somewhere that you never mount them on trees, always on a building. Hope this helps.

MFWD

 

[jimmychew]

I would not encourage bats to nest on or near any building. Once they move in they will be looking for any and all of the tiniest crevices to work their way into and you will spend years trying to get them to go away. Little brown bats are like flying mice and big brown bats are like flying rat's.

 

[SimS]

Hello,
I made a real nice bat box years ago and attached it up about 20 feet on the side of a big pine tree. I never got any bats. Then I read somewhere that you never mount them on trees, always on a building. Hope this helps.

MFWD

MFWD;

I have heard this advice about the tree vs building too. I always wondered where the bats lived in the many thousands of years before humans built our buildings? There must be enough caves and south/southeast facing cracks in nature. Regardless I have placed bat houses in all the recommended locations and the bat house rotted before it housed any occupants. But I built a new garage and within weeks both attic louvers were occupied! I guess the current evolution of bats need buildings. I'm looking forward to successful bat house installation stories.

SimS

 

[Gem99ultra]

I've had good luck with bat houses, and bad luck. The best was a rather tall, slender bat house, probably 8x8x30 tall, with probably 20 dowels inside that go about half way across inside the house. That one was mounted about 20' up in a pine tree, at the edge of a patch of trees. No major water supply nearby. Dozens of bats.

The worst was my current bat house, probably 4 Deep, 20 wide and 30 tall. Also with dowels inside. Mounted on the side of our pump house, for 6 years now. Nary a bat.

Obviously my predictions on location and design have a lot to be desired. We do still have bats - dozens of them nightly, but they aren't roosting in my fine looking bat house. I have no idea where they roost, but they are certainly the world's best mosquito control.

 

[lomita]

Maybe these two PDF Bat Hose Plans will help.

 

[Kenlew]

The 釘at Bible?.. lots of good info developed thru research.

 

[tradosaurus]

I've got a homemade bat house a fellow from work gave me. His son made it for boy scouts years ago and it weighs about 60 lbs.

From attached bat ebook:

The place you choose to attach your bat house should be free from obstructions with at least 20 feet of open space. This will allow the bats to locate the house and easily fly in and out. In order to provide a secure and undisturbed roosting location, bat houses should be placed at least 15 feet high. At this height, the bat house will also be exposed to more sunlight throughout the day, especially if it is facing southeast to take advantage of the morning sunlight.

View attachment Bat-House-E-Book.pdf