Bat House Forum

[eld]

Hello all,

I just created my account here so I could post and say hello. My Audobon Bat Shelter ordered off Amazon arrived today, and I'm very excited. I've done a little searching, though, and realize now that living where I do (capital region, NY State), I need to stain it black first. Inside too?

I'm also trying to figure out just what "facing the sun" would mean for a stationary object.

I'm not sure how I'm going to mount it. It'll go in the way, way back, which has a not oft-used storage barn, a grassy area, bordered by some woods and a little creek, and a good-sized river not far away at all.

My daughter almost hit a bat one evening at dusk when seeing how high she could fling her frisbee in the air back there, so I know they're around!

I've already read through a lot of posts and done some searches as well. I read the Bat Conservation PDF file which was hugely helpful.

So, really, I'm just saying hi.
If anyone has anything they'd like to contribute or ask, please do not hesitate!

Cheers!

[cloudman75]

Welcome Eld.
I waited a day and no one made any comments so I'll make a few to answer a few things you mentioned. An East or South
exposure is said to be the best direction to face your house for getting sun to warm the house. I would not paint it inside,
and only use latex paint on the exterior if you need to make it black for heat purposes in your area. Also get it up 15 to 20 ft so the little bats you may have will have a drop to gather airspeed when they are learning to fly. Your house is made of cedar after I checked it out on several sites. That's a pro. I must say that I think it is too small for a nursery colony. Also I could not find how many chambers it had so I''m guessing it is one. Thats the cons I regret to have to mention. You must realize that these comments are my opinion and others may differ in theirs. I would suggest that you put up a three chamber house about 24 inches tall or more and at least 14 inches wide on your next installation. That will give a nursery colony some room to have little ones and hold more than the 20 bats I saw in the specs for your house. Small houses don't have a very good success record. Of course I could have looked at the wrong house as I suspect they make several sizes but don't know for sure. Make sure you don't mount the house close to trees as predators tend to hang around trees. I would guess no closer than 35 ft or more would be ideal from the nearest tree line. It's good to have you on the forum and the bats need all the help they can get. Good luck with your house.
I presently have three bat houses and about a 100 bats total. I have two nursery colonies which have been coming for several years and having pups. I expect to have some pups here in Georgia in about three or four weeks from now.

Frank

[Emersombiguns]

I read your post and Cloudman's response and I have to say he wrote exactly what I would tell you. My house in La has/had 120 in it. It was a 5 chamber made of pine, painted black, no paint on inside, roughed up with saw wood. It is 20" by 24" inside. Mine is on pole with bottom 15' off ground. I have tall pines and oaks nearby but at least 20+ feet away. You can see my house in picture in picture section. Point it to get morning to midday sun I would say..Good Luck.