Bat House Forum

[batty]

I thought I just posted this, but I must have done something wrong, so here goes again.
I have bats living on the outside of my house. I live in the NW corner of SC near Greenville.
If they didn't poop, they could stay, but I'm going to try to get them to move into a bathouse I bought at Lowe's. In the meantime, I'd appreciate some help deciding just what these little guys are (I think LIttle Brown Bats):

[IowaNate]

A few more photos at different angles would've helped a bit more, but I am 95% certain you have a big brown bat (Eptesicus fuscus). The black facial mask, broad body, and shiny, dark copper colored hair are very distinctive of the big brown and they are common users of human dwellings.

[batty]

funny! I did good to get one picture. The booger was flying around and getting waaaay too close to me.
Here's one that came in and I found the body last august.
there was one in the house Saturday night, but I didn't think to get the camera before he ran back into the window frame. At least I know where they are getting in now!

[batty]

So far they prefer the "big bat house" to the one from Lowe's. Should I put bat poop in the Lowe's house to encourage them to use it?
We have a log cabin and the builder left gaps behind the top and bottom of the windows where the logs come together. It turns out that makes a really attractive cave for the bats. I'd like to get them to relocate before they have pups next month.
Any suggestions? We've fixed quite a few of the windows, but obviously not all. It started out with a few bats 3 years ago and has grown since. I don't think I can convince them to live somewhere else entirely so I was hoping the bat house would provide a suitable new home for them.
I'll check out Big Brown Bats and see what I can learn about them now!

[kent borcherding]

If possible could you e-mail me some pictures of where the bats prefer to roost .

If you could include info - which direction south , east , west or north side. Amount of sun shining on that area . heigth from the ground . If it is posible there could be more air movement in that area than other areas.

I will pay you for the pictures and also send you some good bat books and bat house info.

thank = you Kent

[IowaNate]

The bat house from Lowe's isn't ideal for Big Browns or most bats for that matter. My big browns seem to prefer three chamber houses with chamber spacing no more than 7/8", and interior dimensions no less than 10.5" wide and 18" tall. And they seem to favor houses mounted on buildings over those mounted on trees or poles.

I hope this helps a bit!

[batty]

Kent - I'll look through my pics and see what I have. You'd be welcome to them.
Iowanate - if they don't like the Lowe's house (and they don't!), can I buy one somewhere? My carpentry skills are not real good and I'd hate to have to try to build one.
The little boogers are in my dining room window (as well as other places) and you can get on a ladder and peer in at them.
We started having bats move in almost as soon as we did 4 years ago. I realize we now have bats who consider this home, but I ain't happy about it! I'm a pretty nice lady and an animal lover, but theses guys are pushing the limits!
Did you decide they are big brown bats? Seems like big browns don't hibernate in caves and I believe these guys leave in the winter. Of course, they could just be sleeping and hiding out so they aren't so evident.
I watched them flying out from the eaves last night. That would be cool, except IT'S MY HOUSE you boogers and you're pooping in it.

[batty]

The log shown in the first picture is about 6" from top to bottom, so the bat is about that size too.
I'll try to get more pictures, but I sure don't like them flying close to me! I just about threw myself off the ladder last time!

[IowaNate]

I am even more convinced now that they are big browns. As for bat houses http://batcon.org/index.php/conservation/topics/bat-houses/bat-house-database.html this site has many vendors of high quality bat houses. I would suggest at least a three chamber house. If you find a house online that you like, you could post the link to it and a few of us could review it for you.

As for the bats actually getting into your living space, the entrances will need to be sealed in a humane fashion...by letting the bats leave but not return.