Bat House Forum

[Boggie Dog]

Hello, first let me introduce myself.

I found this forum while looking for bat info, guess I have come to the right place. I try to be good to the birds and other critters. I probably feed enough bird food to keep some stores in business. Have wanted to put up a Bat house for some time and have made the first move to do so.

I live just north east of Dallas, TX, out in the country and my home is encircled with large ponds within 100 to 300 yards away.

I have bought a bat house from a local bird house builder. It has three chambers plus a brood chamber in the upper portion. I hope it will be good enough to get me started.

Now for my newbie question and sorry if this has been talked to death already.

It's now getting near mid September. Do the bats typically found in my area migrate south for the winter or do some hang around for the winter? If I should hold off until next year to mount the house about what time should it be up to help attract a bat?

Second newbie question. I have a Martin house mounted on a pole, about 20 feet above the ground. Was thinking of mounting the bat house a couple of feet or so below the Martin house on the same pole. Any thoughts?

Thanks for any help getting me started on hosting bats.

[Markcuda]

Was thinking of mounting the bat house a couple of feet or so below the Martin house on the same pole. Any thoughts?

No, mount the bat house on a separate pole.
If you have the yard space, do it.
Welcome, also.
Here is one of mine.

[cloudman75]

You may have freetail bats which will most likely move to a warmer area when it turns cold in your area. If they are Little Browns, they will hibernate.

Mount it now so they can look it over. Put it on its own pole is my advice about 12 to 20 ft high facing east, or west.

Frank

[flyin-lowe]

Do you have martins in your martin house? Many martin land lords have their houses set up to raise and lower so the nests can be checked, and also cleaned out at the end of the year. If your martin house does not raise and lower then I don't see a problem with the bat house on the same pole, assuming the pole can handle the added weight. Obviously you wouldn't want to be raising and lowering the bat house during the day while it is occupied.

[Emersombiguns]

I live east of you about 180 miles in Haughton,La...I had bats staying in my house through winter. They did not leave till got below 40 or so...Put it on its own pole with bottom at least 17' above ground. I would put it up quick as possible...Randy

[Boggie Dog]

I want to thank you guys for your answers.

I wasn't sure if the bats wintered over or migrated south for the winter. I have been told there are bats where I work (about 15 miles away) and I saw one a couple weeks ago but don't know the species but it was about 4 or so inches long and a medium brown color.

I have room for a new pole so will go that route and give this house its own space.

[Boggie Dog]

OP here, between work and being on the road some I got the house mounted a week ago on its own pole facing east. I would guestimate the height at about 20 feet above ground and well clear of other obstructions.

An earlier question asked if I had Martins. They flew off a bit early this year, late July. So I will be taking those houses down for the winter and getting them refurbed for next season.