Bat House Forum

[BatMan]

I have a 1000 gallon koi pond 16x10, just feet from it. The next door neighbor has a pool in their back yard and the nearest "big water" is a lake a little over a 1/4 mile away.

[BatMan]

Is there a rule of thumb to how much you can disturb the bats with a small flashlight ?

[IowaNate]

 From my experience, once a day for less than 20 seconds doesn't seem to affect them. I used to check my big browns in the summer with a flashlight everyday within a foot from the house and it didn't bother them. Once a large colony of little browns was established in my nursery houses, they didn't mind the light being shined at all.

[BatMan]

Gotcha, thanks Nate

[BatMan]

I now have 4 bats in my rocket (square), apparently gained one over the past couple days. They have been here since late Nov. My questions is this- Do you think I have a small nursery colony or just 4 bachelors ? I still do not know the exact species.

[Terry Lobdell]

Batman, that is a good question that I often wonder myself.......my guess is if they are roosting tight together they may be females........if they are roosting apart within the bat house they may be males but that is only my guess..........last summer my big brown colony split up and started roosting in 2 different bat houses.........on one occasion there were four females with one pup each in a bat house.......the other bat house had 12 females with pups........why they did that I do not know.......

[BatMan]

Thanks Terry, yes they are always tight together in the inner most south facing chamber and always at the top.

[Joe Spencer]

Any update on the occupancy on this rocket house?

[woodbutcher17]

F.Y.I. Anytime I build anything that goes outside I use Titebond III water proof wood glue. This stuff is great and not overpriced. I hope this helps anyone who needs to glue up for out door projects. . . Woodbutcher

[cloudman75]

Very nice houses and photos. How many bats are using these houses?

Frank