Bat House Forum

[elektratig]

Having found bats hanging out (literally) in my folded-down black patio umbrella last summer, I figured that I'd take a stab at giving them more suitable quarters. The house has been up for about two weeks now; no tenants yet.

The house faces south in the middle of a large field in NW NJ, where it gets sun pretty much all day.

Photos are at http://www.flickr.com/photos/elektratig/sets/241700/

[brockbat]

hey nice job you guys, let us know if you get bats.
Brockbat.

[elektratig]

On the theory that a watched pot never boils, I've refrained from checking my bat house for a while. On Friday afternoon, I checked -- and I had ONE bat. This afternoon (Sunday), she (I've declared her a she, even though I have no idea) is still there -- but she hasn't brought any of her friends either.

Well, at least it's a start.

Five-chamber bat house construction pix: http://www.flickr.com/photos/elektratig/sets/241700/

[LarryH]

I'm glad you have a bat, but surprised that there is just one. When I first found bats in my houses, there were two of them. There are either 5 or 6 now, I am not certain about that. One night, I went out to watch them come out for the night, and counted 5 or 6, but wasn't sure if I had counted one of them twice. After they left, I shined a flashlight into the house, and found a pup hanging on one of the bottom tubes. He was apparently waiting on the parents to bring food home. I don't think any more will move in now, since it well past their migration time, but I'm hoping next spring will see a lot more of them. I have room for 250-300 in each of two houses, and I'd love to see the full.

Have you had any in your umbrella this year? Did you get your house up early enough to catch them during their migration period?

I am so fascinated by bats and just can't learn enough about them!