Bat House Forum

[bohningr]

Hello:

The closest water I have to my house is about 4/10 of a mile away. Yet I know that there are bats perusing my backyard in the summer, as I have seen them.

The bathouse I have built is *finally* going to go up this spring.

My question is this... is there a good chance of bats using the house because I see bats in the backyard, or will they not come because I am not within the quarter mile radius?

My bathouse is a rocket style house built on the plans from BCI (except made larger to fit over a 4x4 post)


Thanks

Rick
nw 'burbs of Chicago

[IowaNate]

If you see bats in your yard, absolutely hang the house. I had a few occupied houses that were over 1/2 mile from water (which was a stream). You might not have high chance at attracting a nursery colony, but a decent chance of some bachelors.
The standard "1/4 mile or closer" is for the best chance for occupancy, not an absolute need for bat house success.

Good luck and happy bat housing!

[cloudman75]

Hello Rick,
I had a friend who had little brown bats in his attic louver and he was at least a mile from water over land.
Your bat house needs to be up right now as the bats are coming out of hibernation. I don't have any experiece with rocket type houses. They look good but don't know of anyone who has bats in one near me. I have had great success with the flat baffle type houses. I think if you are seeing bats at your place, the distance to water must be OK with the bats.

Good luck
Frank