Yesterday I found myself in a garden supply shop and I passed the bat house collection. I figured, hey, why not give it a shot? After my mosquito control post last year, I thought I should practice what I preach.
There were only three to choose from at the shop, but since it was an impulse buy, that was good enough for me. Upon doing some research when I got home, I didn’t make the wrong decision, but I kind of bought the single family of bat shelters as opposed to the luxury condo development.
I ended up with the Audobon single chamber cedar house. It has a wooden landing platform already built in and it does look well made.
A few tips I picked up when researching where to install this thing.
1. Ok, makes no sense if you don’t live near a water source. This is for the Beacon house. We live within 10 blocks of the Hudson. We really wanted one for Brookyn, but Bed Stuy may be too far from water.
2. The home should be placed at least 15-25 feet above the ground to keep the bats safe from predators.
3. Mounting the box in a tree may not be the best idea as the home should be in direct sunlight.
4. No shade means not under eves or in the shadow of your home.
5. Here’s the paradox. Ok, so you want it in direct sun, but you should not put it near any lights or reflective surfaces. I get that the sun is for heat, but if lights bother them, why is the sun ok?
6. Keep it away from air conditioning or any vents that may blow air or smoke.
7. Likewise, keep it away from noise. Not close to the road or loud, barking dogs.
8. Bats and hornets do not get along. The shelter should be inspected at least once a year for hornet nests. Um, protect yourself when doing this. I’ll do so by sending my husband in.
9. It may take up to 3 years to attract bats! They do sell bat guano, which may or may not be a gimmick.
10. Bats are cool as shit, even though they scare the bejesus out of me. You can adopt a bat from the Batworld rescue site.
3 Comments
You should also paint your bat house a dark color. Bats need the sun for warmth, but you don’t want light reflecting up into the roost. Painting the bat house a dark color – even black is appropriate for our latitude and climate – both reduces glare up into the roost and increases heat absorption.
Bat houses such as these are summer nurseries for bats. They need ready access to fresh water, no more than a half-mile, preferably under a quarter-mile. In urban areas, fresh water is often available from parks, fountains, even backyard ponds.
This is the second year for my bat house, and no bats yet. My home, and bat house, is just over a half-mile from Prospect Lake in Prospect Park, but I know there are backyard ponds much closer to me. I’m still hopeful.
More on my blog at http://flatbushgardener.blogspot.com/2009/03/bats-bat-houses-and-white-nose-syndrome.html
Excellent posts, Xris!
Ok, ok…I’ll paint the bat house.
I bought a couple of bat houses several years ago. They are, umm, still sitting in my garage. Oops.