I have been working on and off on the PVC bat houses over the winter. I finally have all 3 constructed and the first one hung. As suggested I sanded all the corners of the plywood baffles and I used some 3/4 inch plywood under the aluminum roof as well. I also found that heating the heads of the carriage bolts with a MAPP torch let them settle nicely into the PVC pipe. The goal was to have the houses all hung before spring ready for the returning bats. I expected to be done earlier but think I will be able to get the others up in time.
Hanging it was a bit trickier than I imagined. Trying to hold the house up on a rickety ladder was trouble enough. Add the offset from the tree for the mount and trying to get the lag bolts started made it a bit worrisome. I am going to make a rope and pulley system for the other two. The mount serves two purposes in addition to holding the house in place. I hope the distance it holds the house from the tree will make it more difficult for predators and it will help keep the house out of the shade the tree trunk would otherwise cast on it.
I know trees are less than ideal mounting locations, unfortunately, they are the only option in my yard. I live in South West Ohio where the sumer highs are typically in the 90s with most days being in the 80s. Because of all the trees in my yard I chose not to put any vent holes in the houses, to keep the inside temps up. I am beginning to wonder if I should add some 1/2 inch holes in the lower third of the house and would like to get the board's opinion on this.
So what are the chances of a first timer getting a few bats in the first season? I see them flying occasionally at night and there is a big creek that never runs dry at the bottom of the hill.
