OT: Bat Boxes

Fullers Farmalls · May 28, 2014

I have been giving thought to building some bat boxes for my property. I live along a river and we have tons of mosquitoes. I know that bats will help take care of them and to be honest i think bats a neat. Any suggestions on what to build or what to do to help attract them to the boxes? Or would it be a waste to try?

Anonymous-0 · May 28, 2014

do a google search on the subject. Bats like the warm side of buildings, so put them there. That's about all I can remember.

john in la · May 28, 2014

This is way to big a subject to try and discuss here so like dave said it would be best if you just google the subject and start reading.

I have read that less than 50% of bat houses ever attract bats; mostly because most bat houses sold in box or feed stores are only decoration; they paint them the wrong color affecting the inside temperature; and people want to install bat houses where they want them rather then where the bats need them.

Lazy WP · May 28, 2014

We have 5 bat boxes here. Most of them end up behind the sliding doors between the insulated part of the shop and the uninsulated part. We have had them for well over 15 years, and invited them yearly.
I can get you pictures, of them, and where they are. I have never seen them in either of the boxes that are on poles outside. ours like either inside the shop, or under the lean too.
I still have to spray Tempo, or Mustang MaX, if we are going to be out in the yard a bunch, but close to the candles we can be out now.

NCWayne · May 28, 2014

I was looking into bat boxes the other day to give the ones that have decided to roost in the eave of my house somewhere else to go. I found quite a few great sites showing how to make the houses. The one thing that really surprised me was that you always think of bats in 'cold, dark' places like caves, but the reality is they like the heat, and actually need it to breed their young. For that reason the houses usually attract more of them when attached to something that retains heat, like the side of a building, etc.

Like another post said, there is a lot more to it than you'd think, so your best be is to do a search and get the info to do it right if your going to do build one or more of them.

jennifer408 · May 28, 2014

i noticed when i left the outside light on at night the bats were having a party.

showcrop · May 29, 2014

I have a bat condo complex that they like very well. It is 30ftx40ftx28ft at the peak. It is post and beam framed with lots of little nooks and crannies. I will sometimes be coming in to the house at dusk and as I walk by the bat condo I will see many bats flying out the main door which is almost always open. I have asked my wife many times if she would like to go out with me and watch the bats fly out but she has never taken me up on it.

Nancy Howell · May 29, 2014

Did some research on bats several years ago. They are voracious bug/mosquito eating machines. They eat far more insects than swallows or martins.

James didn"t much like the idea of having bats around, so I never pursued it.

I do enjoy watching them fly. They are truly aerial acrobats!! (giggle)

Dave H (MI) · May 29, 2014

I don't think anyone needs a bat house unless they are getting into the human house/barn where, by the way, they do a lot of damage and create a health risk. I have tons of bats but have not noticed any change in the bugs. If they are in your buildings, locate the entrance and build a bat friendly house with a similar entrance and get it ready to hang. Just after dusk when they have all left to feed, plug the original hole and hang your house so the opening is close to it. Might get them to use it. Never let them stay in your buildings though. Really bad idea.

NNP · May 29, 2014

If you are trying to attract them, like said, work on sealing your house first. If they are around at all, they will pick your house first.
Any crack or hole the size of your thumb...anywhere.. on your house, and they will move in.
And they will then find any thumbsized hole between the attic and your living space for some indoor swooping!
If you have outbuildings, you probably already have them.
On a hot day, you can smell them. That old 'musty' smell is probably bats.
I like bats, but after years of fighting and eventually winning to get them out of my old house.....the neighbors barn and my outbuildings are close enough.....

DENNIS MIN · May 29, 2014

Fullers,

A year or so ago I inadvertently created the bat-house of all time...a piece of plywood laying on the gravel of my trailer-parking-space.

They were not as startled as I was when I picked it up! They flew outta there like you know what.

Bat-liker, as long as they don't throw me into a tizzy.

D.

OT: Bat Boxes

Fullers Farmalls

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Anonymous-0

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john in la

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Lazy WP

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NCWayne

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jennifer408

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showcrop

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Nancy Howell

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Dave H (MI)

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NNP

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DENNIS MIN

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