Bat House Forum

[cmcramer]

Santa brought me an OBC bat house and I can't wait to mount it! I'm in Upststae NY - near Lake Ontario - so I plan on using black or dark brown latex paint on the exterior.

I think I read somewhere to 'paint the staples' that are exposed on the mesh/ landing platform. Is this good advice? Seems a little overkill to me. Will latex paint really stick to that mesh for years and years?

Thanks!

[William Bagwell]

The staples *should* be corrosion resistant (either stainless or monel ) if not you will have problems later on with the interior staples as well. I can not imagine a builder switching to plain staples just in that one area... In my opinion you do not need to paint the landing unless you just want to for aesthetic reasons. If you do paint it, use as little paint as possible so as to not clog up the mesh. Bats getting a toe hold is more important than whether the paint sticks or for how long. Keep in mind that paint odor might delay occupancy as well. If looks are not important (ie pleasing a home owners association) I would vote to not paint the landing area at all.

My two cents on this fine Christmas eve.

William

[cloudman75]

Which size OBC house did you get, or rather how many chambers? I have a three chamber I bought from OBC around 2003 and did not paint anything.
It is still in good condition except some damage done by a woodpecker which does not bother the bats. Not all OBC designs are built by OBC. I don't
recall seeing staples on my landing board. Where you are I would agree with you to paint the exterior brown or black. If you see staples and they are just galvanized, they will rust over time not only from the weather, but from bat urine. It would not hurt at all to dab a small amount of paint over the exposed staples, not a large area of the mesh. The bats like the OBC house I have so good luck to you and Merry Christmas to all.

Frank

[Markcuda]

I didn't paint my two.

[Markcuda]

[cmcramer]

Thank you for your replies: I hope my bat house helps out these creatures who are such dire straits here in the Northeast.