Bat House Forum

[Terry Lobdell]

Here is a picture of a 2 crevice rocket box I built earlier this spring. It has rough sawn red pine baffles. Each side is partitioned with openings for the bats to access all 4 sides and both crevices.

Not sure why the image did not post only the url, but at least you can click on it and see the picture!

My reasoning for partitions on all 4 corners was to isolate each side for more temperature variation and also a gut feeling that a large rocket box with open space all the way around might make the bats nervous...........as if maybe there could be a predator lurking behind the corner?

This box received substantial use within a week and now my entire little brown bat maternity is using it! I counted 66 adults exit last week and shined a light up inside and guessed there were about 30 to 40 pups inside!

[Terry Lobdell]

[img][IMG]http://a.imageshack.us/img195/1387/rocketbox2010016.jpg[/img]

The 8" x 8" post is saw kerfed but the baffles are just rough sawn, no kerfing, no scoring........

I have attached french cleats on all 4 sides to mount additional bat boxes in the future.

The roof is just an old top from a discarded hot water heater.

The hollow core of this post is filled with bricks for a heat sink.

The roof has a layer of once inch foam insulation.

[Terry Lobdell]

Here is another view. You can see the spacers/partition strips in the corners.

[cloudman75]

A great looking house Terry. Do you have a top of wood, then the old water heater roof? I am planning to build a hollow pole using your idea but not 8x8. Did you use a pivot at the ground level or a ladder to mount the house at height?
Perhaps you built it in place even. It looks pretty heavy, but cannot really know that from the photo. Your carpenter skills show in your bat houses. I don't have any to speak of, but bats are forgiving at my place.

Frank

[Terry Lobdell]

Thanks Frank! Yes, the top is made of one inch wood with the foam sandwiched between the wood and the metal top.

No pivot in this pole. It is constructed of 1x8 larch sandwiched around 2x6 larch for a finished size of 8x8".

If I remember correctly the total length of the pole is 21 feet with 3 feet in the ground.

It is incredibly rigid...........way more rigid than a solid round utility pole.

I actually made and set the pole in 2005 when I built the experimental tire rocket box. I think I still have pictures of it on here. It did not get much use, so this spring I dismantled it but kept the pole for this box.

The pole was made in 3 sections with splices staggered for strength. It was actually pretty easy to put together and raise.

I have found one person can make these hollow poles in sections and transport and put them together fairly easy.

The trick is to have the larger section at the bottom, then have the middle section be a little lighter since you have to carry it up a ladder and set it into the bottom section.

The top section should be the smallest since it has to be carried up the highest.

I have also done these in 2 pieces as well. Those I usually make a total of 18' with 32" to 36" sunk in the ground.

These hollow poles remain much straighter over time as well.

I have many 4x6" poles of treated lumber and of larch that have terrible bows after being in the sun for a few years......

Thanks for the compliment.......I was a carpenter for many years after high school.........and I do agree with you..........bats are forgiving! A lot easier to work for than some of the people I used to work for years ago!