A bat house is a great way to get rid of mosquitos on your property as well as participate in bat preservation.The bats are picky about where they roost.Taking steps to make sure your bat house is in a prime location at the right height, painted the correct color and close to water and plants will help create an ideal bat environment and keep them coming back.
Step 1: The bat house can be placed on the side of a building.
The easiest place for bats to get to is a bat house mounted on the side of a building.The side of a pole works as well.The ideal height for a bat house is between 12 and 20 feet off the ground.
Step 2: If you put a bat house on a tree, be careful.
Since trees are too shady for most bats, it's best to keep bat houses off of them.They can mess with a bat's flight pattern.If you mount the house on a pole, bats will be more likely to roost in trees.
Step 3: The bat house should be near the water source.
There are sources of water where bats like to roost.You are more likely to attract bats if you live close to a pond, lake, or river.Adding a birdbath, fountain, or small pond to your yard is a good idea if you don't live near a body of water.
Step 4: The bat house shouldn't be near artificial light sources.
Bats like complete darkness at night.You should put the bat house away from the lights or lanterns that are outside of your home.Try to keep the bat house away from street lights.
Step 5: The bat house shouldn't be near windows, doors or decks.
Bat houses usually have an open bottom.Bat waste goes directly out of the house.You can check the ground underneath the bat house to see if you are attracting bats.Bat urine can ruin a deck.
Step 6: The bat house needs at least 6 hours of sunlight a day.
The ideal temperature for a bat house is between 80 and 100.If you want your bat house to get as warm as possible, you need to put it on a building that gets a lot of sunlight.The best place to put the bat house is on the south side of the building.The pickiest bats when it comes to temperature are the mother bats.There is a cooler resting place for male bats.
Step 7: It's a good idea to put your bat house up in the spring or early summer.
For an entire season, bats like to roost.The earlier in the season you build your bat house, the more likely the bats will be to find it.You should be patient if bats don't show up in the first season.It can take up to 2 years to build a bat house.
Step 8: The bat house should be painted in a recommended color.
Water-based paint is an exterior grade.The bat box's internal temperature and light absorption will be affected by the color you paint it.In northern and high-altitude regions of the United States, you should paint your bat box in a dark color, like black or navy.In the Midwest and South you can paint your bat box in a dark or medium shade of paint.In the desert, paint your bat box in a light color.If the average daily temperature is over 100 F in July, stay away from white paint.
Step 9: The bat house needs to be cleaned once a year.
The bat house needs to be cleaned every winter.It's a good idea to clean out the bat houses so they don't attract insects.Wear gloves and goggles and use a tool to remove dirt.If the paint starts to fade or peel, repaint the house and keep an eye out for any leaks or drafts that need to be caulked to keep the bat house warm.
Step 10: Plants attract bats, so surround the bat house with plants.
Bats like flowers that bloom at night.Try planting flowers like datura, moonflower, four-o'clock, yucca, evening primrose, night-blooming water lily, and jessamine, cleome.Plants native to your area might attract bats since they are most likely to be what the bats already look for.