Bat House Forum

[Night_Flyer]

Hello everyone,

      I am new here and as of this afternoon I am putting up a rocket box. I have figured out a way to use the interior section which makes this a 3 chamber. It is made to the specs in the BCI Handbook. Yesterdays temps here in the Chattanooga area were close to the 70's and I saw a bat on the way home flying around, so i am pumped and ready.

    I do have one question. The BHBHB (Bat house builders hand book) said to place the thing in a sunny location away from trees to avoid predators. However, I have a question. Cant a predator sit on top of the house and swoop down?

   I maintain a certified wildlife habitat through the national wildlife federation which must have food, water, cover, and places to raise young, so a bat house seemed like a worthy cause. Have a great day all, glad to be here. 

[Joe Spencer]

 Cant a predator sit on top of the house and swoop down? 

   Have a great day all, glad to be here. 

Glad to have you with us too!  Good question about above.  All we know is that occupancy rates are higher for bat houses not mounted on trees which are adjacent to trees.  Lack of solar exposure and a predator perch has been suspected.  Maybe they're too close if they would perch as a predator on top.  Who knows.  We do know that many predators don't come too close to buildings fearing humans and bats have seized that opportunity.  Also a predator as a bird of prey (hawk owl) seeking bats may feel vulnerable as well if they were "out in the open" too long.  Just don't know enough about them.  We just know what bats tell us through their choices and can sometimes only make mere assumptions.  Looking forward to the progress on your 3-chamber....

[Terry Lobdell]

I have a lot of hawks around and many bat houses on poles in the open..........I have yet to see any raptors bothering my bat houses...........I have read that owls will set in a tree nearby and grab them when they exit but I have not witnessed that either....

[Night_Flyer]

Hello all, and thanks for the replies. As of right now I am in the dog house over the bat house being in the front yard. If I could get in it I would probably be there right now. Wife dosent like it out in the front yard. However, she will get over it, I hope. She is already calming down. lol. I guess you could call me a wildlife warrior as I have created this habitat partially by inspiration of Steve Irwin 

After I was up several mornings watching the sun rise and the sun set, I have managed to find the sunniest location possible. it should have sunlight from 9-10am through about 1 hour before sunset.  During the summer I always see the bats using this area as a flyway chasing insects. I have no idea as to what kind they are so I hope they will call this roost home soon.  

Good luck with all your roosts this year.

[Joe Spencer]

Good luck to you too and we hope you have good luck with occupancy...