Bat House Forum

[ray441]

Should I move this bathouse?
It is 16 feet high., I am worried about the limb directly under the house being too convenient a conduit for predators.
What do you think?
 
 
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rayc441/2304748093/in/set-72157604029552861/
 
 

[Terry Lobdell]

I would mount it out on a pole. Bat houses mounted on trees are rarely successful.......especially if they are in the shade.........

[IowaNate]

  In 15 years of mounting and observing bat houses, I have seen a few successful bat houses on trees, and this one looks like it has potential, but the limb is VERY close. Close enough that I would move the bat house. I have witnessed raccoons raiding of few my bat houses in the past, and they can decimate the colony...not to mention large snakes, birds of prey, and even the smart crow. The limb poses a serious threat in my opinion.

  If it were possible to remove the limb, I would definately do it. The successful houses that I have seen on trees (only three) were at least 14 feet up, no limbs within 10 feet of the entrance, facing South, painted dark brown (I live in Iowa), in full sun for at least 6 hours of the day, and within 100 feet of a large body of freshwater.

    Good luck to you!

[Joe Spencer]

As an example, Ray check out the link below specifically the Youtube video posted within it by Erik. The video and audio are amazing.  It shows one or more magpies (birds) as a predator with a close enough perch "roof" to snag a bat.  A branch such as yours would be even easier.  I'd recommend pruning the branch or as suggested placing the bat house in a different location entirely:

http://www.batnic.org/forum/forum3/437.html