Bat House Forum

[connwalls]

I have recently become interested in bats, and after doing a little research, I came across bat houses. After thinking about it for a while and looking at different designs, I've decided on building this house---

http://www.floridabats.org/ImagesBHs/Ba ... _Plans.pdf

I live in southern Louisiana at the end of a small, quiet, neighborhood, have many trees in the area, and always see many bugs flying about in my backyard (dragon flies, moths, and other flying critters) so I imagine this would be a good area. What kind of bats live here in the southern US?

Also, how high should the house be mounted? My wife doesn't really like the idea of mounting it on the house, and the highest place I have to place it is an old wooden post that is about 8 feet tall. I've heard that it is better when the house is facing south, but I don't know how much of a difference it makes. I could always place it on the side of the shed (bat house would have to face north), but that isn't much higher, only about 9 or 10 feet, and there are a few trees around it (don't know if that matters). The roof of the shed also protrudes slightly over the side, so I don't know if bats would see it. Like I mentioned earlier, I have many trees in the area, but have heard houses mounted on trees aren't the best, so I guess trees are out of the question.

Here's a pic of the side of the shed--- http://www.flickr.com/photos/65163091@N ... hotostream

What color should I paint it? Should I even paint it at all? Also, I'm just curious, what attracts the bats to a bat house? What makes a bat house more appealing to a bat than say, a bird house? Lastly, are there anyways to attract a bat to a bat house or speed up colonization, how long does it usually take a house to become colonized, and is now a good time to put one up, or can I just put them up whenever? Thank you all in advance!!!

[flyin-lowe]

If you go to Batcon's web site they have a map that shows what colors the house should be for different parts of the country. 8 foot is probably not high enough. As far as your house and sheds go it depends on the exterior materials of you house (residence) brick is preferred if mounting the bat house to your house. Metal and vinyl siding have lower percentage rates of successful occupancy. Most people think that 12-15 foot is usually the recommended minimun height from the ground to the bottom of the house. I didn't take the time to calculate what the overall dimensions of that house are but I read a study somewhere (maybe batcon) but I can't remember for sure that said houses 24x24 inches had a lot higher occupancy rate. I will see if I can find the information on the house sizes. As far as house direction goes the most important thing is for the house to get some sun in the morning. You don't want it on a house or pole that has a tree that would shade it in the mornings. Some others from you part of the country will chime in shortly.

[connwalls]

Thanks for the info! Hmmmm, I just don't know where to put the house. I don't really know of any tall structures other than trees that I could put it on.

[Markcuda]

Put up a taller pole??
I would go 15 foot to the bottom of the bat house.
Being a first time bat person, do it right the first time
I put up two bat houses this spring, no bats yet, but I am going to put up one more.
I am a believer in giving them little guys a variety.
Your mileage may vary
Please, do not put the house on a tree.

[connwalls]

I just remembered that there is a 40 ft telephone poll across the street. It's in my neighbors yard, but with their permission, this may be a good spot.

[Markcuda]

Here is one of my two bat houses.

[Markcuda]

Number two house.

Click on my web site and check out the two houses.
http://www.markcuda.com/id37.html

[cloudman75]

Hello,
I like that plan you selected although you have to dig some of the info out of the text. For instance, the gap is 1/2 inch for ventilation on the front and the overall house dimensions are not shown. It will roughly be a nominal outside size of about 24" hx 14" wide which my experience has shown to be a good size for a small maternity colony of about 75 bats with pups.
I would say to paint it a very light color or not at all. My bats here in the metro Atlanta area get too hot and I have posted several photos of them hanging outside during daylight hours at temps in the mid 90s. In fact they were doing it today. My house about that size is cedar and unpainted. If you use pine, it would need to be painted I think. Make or buy you about a 16 ft long pole minimum and mount the house on a pole. Make sure it is placed away from trees and has a clear fly away for the bats. I think you could get by with 12 ft or so. Randy in LA has some houses but I cannot remember how high they are above ground. I agree with your wife about not putting it on the house in LA. With your outside temps. where you live having little sun is not a problem as they will be plenty warm. If you face the house north it's fine as the back of the house will get sun as well as the roof in summer.
I suspect that you will have freetail bats and little browns where you live for the most part. These are just my opinions based on my own experince over several years with these bats that you are likely to have. Randy in LA not too far away should have some good input specifically for your area if he reads your post.

Good luck and keep us posted, take some photos also please.

Frank

[connwalls]

Thanks! I'm going to go get the wood tomorrow and hopefully begin construction. I'll be sure to post plenty of pics.

[connwalls]

Went out to the shed today and dug out some old wood for the house.

This is the wood I'll use as the spacers, hope it's not to thick/thin- http://www.flickr.com/photos/65163091@N ... hotostream

Wood for house/chambers- http://www.flickr.com/photos/65163091@N ... hotostream

[Markcuda]

If your space is going to be 3/4 of a inch, that wood looks to wide?

[William Bagwell]

Markcuda, it looks like a 1X2 to me which should be 3/4" x 1 1/2" so it should work just fine as a spacer as long as it gets turned the right way.

connwalls, in the third picture, the one of the shed (that you did not post a link to in this thread ) is that a trumpet vine on the left hand tree in the picture? Orange blooms and attracts humming birds...

William

[connwalls]

Thanks for all the great advice everyone! I was out earlier a little after 8 and managed to see several bats overheard, zig-zagging back and forth for about 10 minutes or so. It was pretty cool! After watching them for a bit, they ended up kinda just disappearing. I'm guessing they all headed off to where ever they're feeding (probably somewhere in the woods behind my house). I'll be posting plenty of pics once I start construction of the house. Thanks again!

[Markcuda]

I go out every night at dusk, and I usually see two, just one some times also, flying with in a few feet of me, then they are gone.
Yes, we love pictures

[connwalls]

Ok guys, one last question. For the mesh that I use to line the 'landing pad', do I really have to line the chamber walls with the mesh as well, or would it be ok if I just used it on the landing pad? I'm using plywood, which is already pretty rough, so is it really required that I line everything with it? With plywood being pretty rough and all, I wouldn't think it would make much of a difference of I left the chamber walls bare.