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Where should I hang my bat house?
The most successful bat houses are those mounted on a building or a chimney at a height of 15
feet or more. For most of the continental USA, the houses should be placed facing to the southwest.
However, the southern states have proved that other directions can be successful also.
The house should face a clearing and be located away from branches or power lines. Bat houses
with ventilation slots on the side should be mounted so the slots will not be obstructed by the eaves of
the building. Bat houses can also be mounted on poles, but are not as successful as those mounted on
buildings. Bat houses mounted on trees are the least successful because bats that naturally roost in
trees are solitary and roost openly on branches (colonial, socialistic, crevice-dwelling species use bat
houses).
How can I attract bats to my bat house?
There is no known substance or plant that attracts bats or increases the chances of bat house
occupation. However, bat houses that are mounted within 1/4 mile of a body of water (e.g. creek, pond or
lake) are more quickly inhabited than those that are not. Also, houses that are located in areas where
colonies of bats already exist in buildings or caves are more likely to be occupied.
Can bats be purchased or relocated to my bat house?
It is
illegal to buy or sell bats, in part because over 56% of bat species in the US are
endangered or official candidates for listing with the United States Fish and Wildlife Department. Bats
cannot be relocated and introduced into a bat house because they are highly territorial and will simply
attempt to fly back to where they came from.
Will a bat house interfere with my bird house?
No, birds and bats do not compete for food or space.
Can a bat house on my home be dangerous?
Although bats rarely contract rabies, those that are found on the ground are more likely to be
sick (or injured) and may bite in self-defense when handled. Consequently, children should be taught to
never handle bats and pets should be vaccinated against rabies. If a bat is found grounded do not handle
it with bare hands. Use leather gloves or a thick cloth to gently gather up the bat. Place the bat into
a ventilated box, put the lid on and call a wildlife rehabilitator or organization for help. Keep the
box in an area away from children or pets until help arrives. If the bat has already been handled
without gloves or has had (or is suspected of having) contact with children or pets, please call your
health department as well as animal control. Bat droppings (guano) pose no more of a health threat than
the droppings from birds or other mammals. Be careful not to place plants directly under your bat house
as guano is a very potent fertilizer and is likely to ‘burn’ plants receiving a large amount!
Will a bat house attract bats to live in my home?
If bats were attracted to your home they would probably already be roosting there.
I already have a bat house and have had no luck, what's wrong?
It is not uncommon for a
bat house to go unoccupied for months or even years, although the
average time for first occupancy is 6 to 12 months. If you feel
that the timeline has become excessive, it could be due to the
house not being mounted in a good location, direction, height or
it may even be a poor design. Be wary of bat houses that seem
small, offer no ventilation or do not have screened/grooved
surfaces giving proper foot holds (roughed wood alone is not an
adequate surface). If you have already purchased a bat house that
you suspect is a poor design, try modifying the house by adding
the above recommendations.
How can I tell if bats have found my bat house?
Colonial bats are often noisy throughout the day as they change roost mates or compete for a
favored spot in a roost. Another indication that bats are occupying your bat house is evidence of bat
droppings on the landing platform or on the ground beneath the bat house.
Will predators bother bats living in a bat house?
Bat houses mounted on buildings probably offer the safest location from predators. To prevent
animals from climbing, predator guards or tin should always be wrapped around poles that bat houses are
mounted on.
Instructions for Mounting a Bat House
LOCATION and PLACEMENT:
For best results in gaining
occupants for your bat house, choose an area that is 60 feet or more from trees
and within ¼ mile of a body of water such as creek, pond or lake.
When choosing a direction to face the house (in
the continental U.S.) results show that southwest facing houses do better than
those facing other directions.
The higher you place your house the better.
Preferably 15 to 25 feet. |
