Bat House Forum

[FlaChiropterer]

Please take a look at my bat-houses and critique them.

One is from BCI approved builder and the other one I built following the example and plans I found online.

They have been up since August 29 2010 and no residents yet. Should I be changing anything to attract residents?

There are bats in my neighborhood, I see them flying around at sundown. In fact today at sundown there was one flying within 20 feet of the houses all around my yard, I assume feeding.

Could the houses be too dark for my area? I am in Seminole county, Central Florida just north east of Orlando.

thanks


By flachiropterer at 2011-08-20


By flachiropterer at 2011-08-20


By flachiropterer at 2011-08-20


By flachiropterer at 2011-08-20

[flyin-lowe]

What is the distance from the bottom of the box to the ground. Ideally it should be 15 feet or more. Also are there trees all around your property? Bats will prefer getting direct sun light in the early morning. And lastly how far are you from a permanent water source. I am guessing in Florida you are not too far but you should have a water source within 1/4-1/2 mile. You might get some visitors at distances further then that but they choose housing sites close to water.

[cloudman75]

Bats in August at your location have already had pups in their chosen roosts for the year. They don't change roosts unless they have a better choice and are not totally satisfied where they are. From now until cold weather they will be looking out for new and better roosts for next year. In your location you may get some freetail bats this year as they probably will not hibernate but simply move to a warmer location. Next spring, many bats will be ready to have pups and will be using a roost that they spotted this year. Be patient, as your installation looks very good for bats. I personally think the color is too dark for Florida.
I am in metro Atlanta and I use no color or a light color and the bats still get too hot as evidenced by photos I have posted of them hanging out on the landing board in broad daylight. It has been extremly hot here this summer day after day for weeks. If there are any high bushes or trees within 30 ft of the bat houses that could be a problem also, but it looks pretty clear from the photo. I know that freetails like light blue houses so this winter if you have no bats by then, you might consider changing the color. Usually bats will move into a dark house like yours and then leave if it gets too hot so I don't believe the color has prevented an initial use by the bats. What height are the houses above ground? You most likely have little browns, and freetails a plenty in your location
that would try the house. I had freetails here for several years and this year they came back in the spring, then left and have not returned.
How many chambers are in each house? My comments are based on my experience I am certainly no authority on bats. I have 6 bat houses and about 61 bats right now of the little brown species plus a few I don't know what they are but they are small.
On second thought, I like the color of your dwelling house and think the bats would also, so if you have any latex paint of that color try one this winter. If you do change the color, do it this winter so it can age before spring would be my advice. I think the color you have would not have detered bats from trying it until it maybe got too hot. During Mid July and August here they get very hot. I even painted one of my cedar bat houses on the roof only with white.

Frank

[FlaChiropterer]

What is the distance from the bottom of the box to the ground. Ideally it should be 15 feet or more.

It is a little under 12'

Also are there trees all around your property? Bats will prefer getting direct sun light in the early morning.

They do get that, the houses are in the clearest part of the yard. The closest tree is 23' and the next closest is 30'

And lastly how far are you from a permanent water source. I am guessing in Florida you are not too far but you should have a water source within 1/4-1/2 mile. You might get some visitors at distances further then that but they choose housing sites close to water.

There's swamp within 500ft of the house. There's bats living in the neighborhood, they just haven't moved into my bathouses

[FlaChiropterer]

Bats in August at your location have already had pups in their chosen roosts for the year. They don't change roosts unless they have a better choice and are not totally satisfied where they are. From now until cold weather they will be looking out for new and better roosts for next year. In your location you may get some freetail bats this year as they probably will not hibernate but simply move to a warmer location. Next spring, many bats will be ready to have pups and will be using a roost that they spotted this year. Be patient, as your installation looks very good for bats. I personally think the color is too dark for Florida.

Thank you. If by winter I do not get anyone I will take them down and paint them lighter.

I am in metro Atlanta and I use no color or a light color and the bats still get too hot as evidenced by photos I have posted of them hanging out on the landing board in broad daylight. It has been extremly hot here this summer day after day for weeks. If there are any high bushes or trees within 30 ft of the bat houses that could be a problem also, but it looks pretty clear from the photo.

Unfortunately I have a tree at 23' from the houses and another at about 30'

I know that freetails like light blue houses so this winter if you have no bats by then, you might consider changing the color. Usually bats will move into a dark house like yours and then leave if it gets too hot so I don't believe the color has prevented an initial use by the bats. What height are the houses above ground? You most likely have little browns, and freetails a plenty in your location that would try the house. I had freetails here for several years and this year they came back in the spring, then left and have not returned.

The houses are just under 12' above ground.

How many chambers are in each house? My comments are based on my experience I am certainly no authority on bats. I have 6 bat houses and about 61 bats right now of the little brown species plus a few I don't know what they are but they are small.

Each house has three chambers.

On second thought, I like the color of your dwelling house and think the bats would also, so if you have any latex paint of that color try one this winter. If you do change the color, do it this winter so it can age before spring would be my advice. I think the color you have would not have detered bats from trying it until it maybe got too hot. During Mid July and August here they get very hot. I even painted one of my cedar bat houses on the roof only with white.
Frank

thanks, I will try that

[cloudman75]

Sounds like you are in a good location if you are seeing bats. Also 23 ft from a tree shoud be fine since you have two houses. Three chambers are great.
I think that you are all set to have some bats soon as 12 ft should be Ok according to what I have read. You have several species in your area so
the houses should be just what some are looking for. I had a house stay empty for three seasons then has been used each year since for a nursery colony.
It is empty right now as it was painted dark blue on top and light blue on bottom. It just got too hot for them. I also have had freetails stop by for a few weeks in December here when the weather was warm. You may get some at your place. They just showed up one month, not at all common here.
One can never predict what bats may do has been my experience. Your houses just look great and I like and use pivots as I think you did. Yours look nicer than mine.
Good luck and keep us posted.

Frank

[Teddy Dee]

Ditto on the pivot system . Your whole arraignment looks very nice .
My Bat House is also hung at 12 feet and it's working out fine .
I live in the southern part of Georgia and my Bat House is painted
a very light yellow [ almost beige ] to match my home . I have
never seen them hanging out near the opening on hot day's
although when they use to live in a brick carport column , I would
often see them resting on top of the brickwork on hot day's .
Hang in there .

[FlaChiropterer]

Thanks all.

The pivot idea I got it browsing through other people's ideas here on the forum. Another idea I also used was the French cleat to mount the houses.

I am just eager to see residents, as are most of my neighbors. They all ask every so often "any guano yet?"