Bat House Forum

[agm2003]

I live on a 1.2 acre lot in south Georgia (12 miles to Florida Line) and have an old bat house built approx 20 years ago.  It NEVER had bats--was probably in wrong location, on a tree, etc.

Bat House:   made of 1 x 12 cedar--basically shape of a "duck house"==approx. 11" x 11" with a height of 28" in back and 20" in front.  It has 5 partitions--2 different lengths. Cedar was "scratched" for footholds.   I just removed it to relocate--found where squirrels had chewed hole in roof & nested there.  Has "ceiling" over most of partitions--rear one has access to "attic".

QUESTIONS:

1--Is Bat House of such design worth resusing?

2--I have limited "open space" that gets sun, but have tall pine tree on edge of wooded area that is open on N to NW side.  Thinking about mounting about 25' up (another 25' or so before the lowest limbs).  Any thoughts here?

3--We have on 2 or 3 occasions (over 20 years) found single bats inside our home, and caught & relocated them (never able to find entry points).  My wife is fearful that putting bat house near our home will increase chance of more getting inside.

4--Anyone with experience in S.Georgia/N.Florida area?  Colors? Mounting Direction? etc?

I would appreciate any advice anyone could offer from your experience.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Art

[Terry Lobdell]

Welcome Art!

1) If your crevice sizes are 3/4" to 7/8" the box sounds like it is reusable.

2) It sounds like the tree could be used since  the limbs are high enough to not shade the bat house.

3) The bat house will not attract bats into your home.

4) Batman, Gran and Cloudman could probably give you more specific info on your area than I could since they are closer to your area. If you read their posts I'm sure that would be helpful.

[agm2003]

Thanks for your reply.  I appreciate the guidance.

Gary