Bat House Forum

[KenA]

Hi all,

I am thinking of building another house to place in my yard.  I live in Denton, TX just north of the DFW metroplex.  I have had a 2 chambered house up in my backyard for 4 years with no takers.  Yes, I see a couple of bats flying around each night so they are here.  I assume they are free tails but a couple of times they have swooped near me and look quite large.

Anyway, is a rocket style box being occupied in this area?  Or should I stick with the flat chambered variety?  I had the old one mounted on a telescoping aluminum pole that woud sway a bit in the wind.  In retrospect, that probably didn't help my chances any.  The new one will be mounted on a 4x4 post solidly installed.  I believe the bats I see must be roosting in hollow trees because nobody else I know of has a house mounted around me.  I suppose they could be using a soffett or loose siding somewhere too.

Any advise is welcome.  I really would like to have some takers soon.  I know that they will be moving on south again soon, but I want to be ready for them next spring.

Thanks

KenA

[cloudman75]

Two chambers would be fine provided the house is large enough and constructed
right for your bats. How about some details on your existing house which may give a clue why it is not occupied. How tall is it ,how wide, baffle spacing and material? Are they rough or have screening to assist the bats  to hold on? How high is it mounted, and which direction is it facing? What color is it if painted? Do the bats have a clear drop from the box and a path to fly away? These are some thoughts I have when considering a new house location.  I think my second house was too large for a multiple use house  in spring and summer. My little browns like a smaller house in early spring to have pups when temps are cool, then move into the bigger house when it gets hot. When I say smaller it is three chambers about 20 inches high chambers plus a landing,  and 14 inches wide. The big one is 36 inches high and 24 inches wide with 5 chambers. It is heavy and requires a strong pole to hold it. All mine are around 20 ft high on steel and aluminum poles. I have a smaller 5 chamber that has been up 2 weeks now and empty. I put it up now to let the existing colony of 93 look it over. I hope my experience may help you, and good luck with the next house.

[Terry Lobdell]

Ken, I have had some boxes mounted in good habitat go  unoccupied for no apparent reason. In those situations, the best strategy I have found is to mount a box that was previously used at another location. The scent inside may be what attracts them.

The box shown on the home page here was used the very first night it was mounted by little browns this year. It had been used in previous years by big browns at another location. 

From experience and talking with other people, it can be difficult attracting bats to a site if there is not already a maternity colony close by. The more bat houses you mount, the better your chances will be. Hope this helps!

[KenA]

Thanks for the question.

My existing house is .75" plywood with 1" x 4" sides and roof.  All baffles are grooved on all interior surfaces w/ a radial saw.  Grooves are no more than .5" spaced from top to bottom.  The back wall is longer w/ 6" inch grooved landing pad.  Each chamber is approx .75" deep.  The house measures 14" wide and 24" tall.  As far as I can tell, it abides by the recomendations provided within this forum.  Except for the .25" ventilation groove on the front panel.  Mounted height was 14'.  Open flyways.  Unfortunately, no adjacent water source available.  That said, the bats are still around every evening. 

While It was caulked and painted when new, the weather took its toll.  One side has a split running up the side for the last year.  When I took it down, I discovered wood rotting and flaking off easily.  So I would like to replace it with another one built even better.  The "rocket box" style is interesting to me, and in some ways, a better, less invasive look for the neighborhood.  (not that I really am concerned about this)

Also, has anyone found that grooved wood is more likely to degrade from urine/feces than the netting is?

Thanks again,

KenA

[KenA]

Please, would someone have any knowledge of whether or not a rocket box is good for mexican free tails, or whatever may be here in N Texas? 

One of the PRIMARY OBJECTIVES for this thread is to explore if a rocket style box will work here.  Anyone have experience using one in N. TX here?  Anyone heard of one being used here?

Thanks a million,

KenA

[Terry Lobdell]

Ken, check out Marvin Mayberry's site. He makes and sells rocket style houses made out of pvc pipe. He is located in Texas. I am certain rockets work in any location but can't immediately give you any details about specific areas.

[Joe Spencer]

Ken, here is some confirmation:

http://www.batcon.org/bhresearcher/bv11n1-6.html

[Gran]

I noticed that Maberry's houses were mostly using webbing straps instead of wooden dividers.  Does anyone have any experience with these?

[cloudman75]

As described , sounds great for bats. I have a three chamber about that size that has been used since the first year I put it up. My brother has the same house design, he lives on a lake with bats flying around, and his house is still not being used after 3 seasons.He lives on the GA. coast while I am in N.W. GA. Thanks for details.I have two houses being used now and I am at least a quarter mile from any water.

Good luck