At my house our Mosquito Magnet broke and we want to go natural. So how do you make a bat house, where do you install it for maximum effect and how do you do so?
2007-03-26 11:42:43 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
Ten years ago, I was serving as the Boy Scout lesion officer to several of the local Cub Scout Troops and assisted them in making bat houses as part of a service project.
I found the included web site in 'Boy's Life' and used the plans on the website to help the Cub Scouts build their bat houses.
One minor alteration I made to the original plans is to use treated lumber, instead of the untreated lumber the BSA recommends. I figured that if the bats were happy living in between the treated cedar shingles of my house, then they would have no difficulty living in between treated pine slats. By using treated lumber, in conjecture with weatherproof screws, you can significantly extend the life of the structure.
When I visited my parents about six months ago, I noticed that several of the houses were still standing and appeared to be occupied and in good condition.
2007-03-26 14:52:56 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Here is a plan for the type of bat house i used. I bought mine premade at the local hardware store, but this is for the same thing. It works quite well.
We had a problem with bats getting into the house so we put the box up near the roof close to where the bats were getting in. They like it and don't really come into the house any more.
There is even a page describing ways of attracting bats. Since you want to use them as pest control this may be handy for you too.
2007-03-29 05:29:49 · answer #2 · answered by veruca_psycho 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
James, Bats are not prone to be rabid as any other mammal species, Actually less prone to be, they are clean and are very beneficial to any habitat. Dave It's too long to type here , but I suggest Googling Bat Houses or further resesrch. Their houses are larger thab birdhouses ( they are communal so several want to live together. Also they enter from the bottom and like rough sawn wood. Another point is to put three houses together on a tall pole. They'll move from house to house as to escape or gather the sunny side of the houses to gathher or neglect heat.
2007-03-26 13:05:14 · answer #3 · answered by daffyduct2006 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
bats are mosquito vacuums so you are on the right track.
i have one out back that we bought. they are open on the bottom, so it is a 5 sided cedar box. it is about 12" tall, about 8" wide and about 7" wide. there is a center board [across the width, and top to bottom] with chicken wire on it. this creates two compartments for our little buddies.
the bottom opening needs to be narrow to keep predators out.
it is installed on the southeast side of a tree about 9' off the ground and the outside is painted black [to absorb heat i'm told].
note: DO NOT use treated lumber for a bat house as another suggested. not good for the occupants
2007-03-26 14:33:29 · answer #4 · answered by buzzards27 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
In your quest for a bat house, remember that it needs to be big to be a good habitat for bats. Little bat houses that are the size of bird houses are a waste of time and money. It also needs to be rough on the inside so that bats have somewhere to hang.
2007-03-26 13:58:35 · answer #5 · answered by Gypsy Girl 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They're really easy to make.... they just need a wire mesh material inside to cling onto, and they need to be larger than most. Many people make the mistake of getting them too small. It's key to have one big enough for a family. If you type "bat houses" in any search engine, I'm sure you could find one to use as a guide to make your own....
Good luck!!
2007-03-26 19:21:54 · answer #6 · answered by maricolley 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I just saw an episode on HGTV about this very same thing. Here is a link, but you may want to search the HGTV site to see if you can find anything else.
http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/gl_wildlife_birds/article/0,,HGTV_3652_1381664,00.html
I also saw that you use about a tablespoon of guano and add it to a gallon of water. Let it sit overnight then use it to fertilize.
2007-03-26 12:23:29 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I built one a few years ago! I had it mounted on the outside of my house near the roof. This is the best time to build one, I think they start to nest in the spring.
The website I've listed has some good info on how to build one and where to mount it.
2007-03-26 11:55:32 · answer #8 · answered by coyote 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Cater to homeless bats, if you have enough bugs in the evening they will come and take care of it.
2007-03-26 16:27:00 · answer #9 · answered by lilabner 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Id not build houses for bats. The US is not a rabid free country, sadly so, unlike the lots of the Islands around the Equator. . Bats in USA are infested with rabbies so stay away from that idea and as you know Rabbies is an incurable disease if bitten.
2007-03-26 11:51:42 · answer #10 · answered by James M 6 · 0⤊ 6⤋