Built a bat house today

[maisymouser]

We live next to a creek and the mosquitoes have been eating up our 2yo despite liberal application of citronella and deet-free bug spray. Got to thinking, my parents have a bat box. Couldn't hurt to put one out and further encourage bats to decrease the skeeter population, so I threw one together for free using scrap wood today. I'd post a picture but for some reason the forum isn't allowing my attachment...

I was surprised to find in my research that the kind my parents have, which is more like a bird house, probably isn't terribly attractive to bats. I learned about how most species prefer long narrow spaces with multiple chambers.

I'm proud that I found a half-day project that doesn't require me leaving the house. It's been hard not having productive things to preoccupy me. I'm not very handy so this was a low-risk endeavor (unlike, say, making built-in bookcases that might end with me destroying our entire living room).

Now to anxiously await and see if any bats find it hospitable enough to call home!

[Financial.Velociraptor]

If you want bats, it will help to get some "bat attractant", which is a vial of bat urine.  You make the structure smell like home.  Also, they are most likely to move in during March/April when the fledgelings are leaving the mother nest and looking for new accommodations. 

[Abe]

That’s a great idea. We’re moving to Houston and would like to make one. What plans did you use?

[Roots&Wings]

Great job! How did you mount it? From what I've heard, it needs a dedicated post at least 15' tall. A neighbor explained this after no one moved into the bat house I mounted 12' high on a tree (where they'll have predator issues from snakes/raccoons).

[Luke Warm]

the bugs are so bad here. i wonder if i could hang a bat house like a necklace?

[wenchsenior]

Oooooo cool!  Once we got a Hoary Bat (they are badass...eat centipedes etc.) that roosted in our front crepe myrtle during a migration stopover for a day.  I was home alone and I was so damn excited that I was yelping and bouncing around the house with no one to share the joy with.

Keep us posted if you get occupants!

[maisymouser]

That’s a great idea. We’re moving to Houston and would like to make one. What plans did you use?

I created something along these lines (https://www.nwf.org/garden-for-wildlife/cover/build-a-bat-house) but didn't follow the directions to a T since I was limited by the scrap wood available. I looked at several bat house plans and made something of a hybrid, with two chambers since only one isn't much for a full colony. I read that single-colony bat houses are more like "bachelor pads" and don't encourage raising of young.

As for mounting... I plan to mount it to a nearby tree where there aren't branches for a solid 30 vertical feet. Mounting to a tree isn't recommended but my options are fairly limited. It's apparently quite critical to place it appropriately, not too low, not too close to predators, not too shaded, ...

Great job! How did you mount it? From what I've heard, it needs a dedicated post at least 15' tall. A neighbor explained this after no one moved into the bat house I mounted 12' high on a tree (where they'll have predator issues from snakes/raccoons).

Yeah, bats apparently can't fly from the ground and have to climb a bare minimum of 5' to take off and get in the air.

the bugs are so bad here. i wonder if i could hang a bat house like a necklace?

I think you need something a bit sturdier that won't swing in the wind, but that's a total guess. I didn't see any 'hanging' bat houses in my research as I built this one.

[ctuser1]

What tools do you have for carpentry?

I’m just launching on a deck gate and railings project. Do you think I’ll need anything other that
N the basic drill + miter saw?

[Roots&Wings]

As for mounting... I plan to mount it to a nearby tree where there aren't branches for a solid 30 vertical feet. Mounting to a tree isn't recommended but my options are fairly limited. It's apparently quite critical to place it appropriately, not too low, not too close to predators, not too shaded, ...

On a tree can still work apparently, but may take longer for it to be occupied: http://www.batcon.org/resources/getting-involved/bat-houses/install

Logistically, I haven't figured out how to do a pole mount without renting a truck or spending a massive amount of money for a telescoping pole.

[DragonSlayer]

We built an "official bat house" to all specs, mounted correctly, facing the right direction, etc. and... Lizards moved in. Never had a single bat, just lizards. We built the house for the bats after they tried moving into the gable vents. We wanted to give alternative accommodation, but they never wanted it. Well, at least the lizards eat bugs, too.

[geekette]

We've had bats at least temporarily move in between our frieze board and siding on one gable end (we have ridge vents, not gable vents).  I'm not sure I care because yes, the mosquitoes are fierce, and I think they've moved on, but we've been quoted $1000 to seal up all 5 gables.  If they can't get in the house, should I care?

[MDM]

I'd post a picture but for some reason the forum isn't allowing my attachment...

Posting images in the Bogleheads forum should apply here also.