Bat House Forum

[Franklin]

I have a small bat house that I'd like to place on or near my cottage. The house faces south. The backyard - north side - is full of trees. A large and windy lake is 100' to the south. I have two purple martin houses, one on the shore and one actually posted in the lake alongside my dock. These are successful houses given the oftentimes 25 mph winds and cooling effect. I've considered attaching the bat house under a 2 story east facing eave, on the chimney or in the lake adjacent to the martin house. My preference is the chimney on its east side so it isn't so conspicuous to passersby. The bat house wouldn't extend higher than the chimney. I'm concerned about critters on the 2 1/2 story peak. We hear aqnimals skittering about on the roof in the pre-dawn hours. The chimney isn't taller than 42 inches. If the house is 24 inches high how do I put on a guard? What's it look like? I'm familiar with racoon guards with the martin houses but the guard is longer than the bat house.

Locating the house on a 15 to 18 foot post alongside the dock is another option. This is West Michigan so the highs in June, July and August are in the low '80's. The wind picks up about noon and can blow until 5:00 - not every day. Is the cooling effect of the wind going to be a deterrent with the house painted black?

I built two houses using the plans from a well-circulated book. One has bats in it on the White River 45 miles away. The other is two blocks away from the cottage and we're still waiting for occupancy - 3rd season in 2011. It is too large for my lot. I had juvenile little brown bats in my house on two ocassions. So they're in the area. Thankfully no longer in my house!

Thank you for the great forum!

[Terry Lobdell]

Welcome!

I don't think wind will be a problem for you at all.........

The chimney should be a good location........I've had good results with all boxes mounted on or near chimneys......

I don't think you will have a problem with critters.........On a few occasions I've had mice build nests within some of my bat house crevices but I've never had a problem with racoons........

I might be hesitant to set a bat house pole in water because if pups fall out they most likely with drown.

Sounds like you have good habitat there! Keep us updated on your progress!

[Franklin]

Thanks for the reply. I didn't think about them falling into the water and drowning. Probably not a good spot. I think I'll go for the chimney. Thanks again.