Bat House Forum

[rider]

Hey All, new to the forum. I put up a house last summer that has yet be occupied. It a common construction with all the guidelines, about 12+ft high on a pole, south facing. Took some pics, its over the shed. Do you see anything that might be the problem. Rider

[rider]

more pic

[cloudman75]

Rider,
What in what state are you located? My reply would depend on that. What color is the house? How many chambers, size? Does the door of your storage bldg face east? That is a very nice looking pond, looks like a good bat location.
Welcome to the forum.

Frank

[rider]

I live in Long Island, NY. The house has 3 chambers and is painted matte black with the opening facing south and the shed faces east. The koi pond was last year's project appreciate the compliment.,

[Dave Miller]

Do you ever see bats in your neighborhood? Have you ever seen them drink from your pond?

That is a great looking pond! Do you use a biofilter?

[cloudman75]

Rider,
I think your house is suitable for Little Brown bats and others that you may have in Long Island.
I would leave the house where it is until November, then I would move it to the right front corner of your storage house facing east. If this is not suitable for you my second choice would be to face it north in that location taking care not to hang it over the roof. It is my belief that the clear fly-away toward the pond would definitely improve your chances of getting bats. As for the house facing north one should remember that the back of the house will receive sun from the south and also the top of the house will get plenty of sun. In summer, no matter which direction it faces due to the sun's angle of impact which appears to be almost directly overhead, the top will receive sun most of the day. The bats would hang in the back south side chamber and then move toward the north chambers as it warms. At least that's my experience. If you have bats in your area it appears that your back yard would certainly be an attractive home for bats due to the pond and open area for the fly-away from your bat house. I used to go to Manhattan on weekends while in the Navy and spent a few nights on Long island at a shipmate's parent's house named Young. A lovely place it was in my opinion.

Frank

[Terry Lobdell]

That is a good looking bat box and great location from what I can see.......the thing is, if there is not already a maternity colony close by it takes a long time to get bats roosting.........In late summer the pups once they start flying are the ones that seem to explore new boxes........In late July and August you may find some guano underneath that box.....

[rider]

I appreciate all the help. I have seen bats zig zagging across the backyard, but not drinking from the pond yet. It was put in last Sept-Oct. Its actually a bad pic for the pond b/c the fish had spawned about 72hrs prior requiring multiiple water changes/ salt. Normally its gin clear. I have an aquadyne bead filter in back right of pic, somewhat screened. I'll definitely leave the house where it is now and if nothing, I'll replace the shed and move the house as you've recommended. Kevin

[Joe Spencer]

Do you ever see bats in your neighborhood? Have you ever seen them drink from your pond?

That is a great looking pond! Do you use a biofilter?

At approximately what time in the morning does the sun strike the bat house? I see trees in the area not far from the bat house location. Often mounting back to back houses or multiple bat houses two or more increases your chances and gives bats options. For others I agree with Dave. The most important thing to do is to go out on warm nights and observe at dusk and look for bat(s). Since you have seen them there is potential. If your bat house guidelines are satisfied for placement and your area then of course that helps too. If there is no occupancy after two years the odds go way down. At all my successful bat locations I saw bats foraging at dusk before the house(s) erection. The one place I failed was putting bat houses in an orchard years ago without seeing any bats at all foraging after viewing a couple nights . I did it anyway since BCI had quoted a 100% occupancy rate for most orchards. Well the orchard had its water source wetlands/pond at the bottom of the orchard and after decades of insecticide use (they change them constantly) the water was poisoned. I saw nothing living in it. I also saw no deer on lookouts there either which are often seen at night in many low or no spray organic orchards. Good luck we'll help in anyway we can....

[Emersombiguns]

All have given good info here. One thing I thought of right off is height above ground and the shed. Mine come out from 14" above ground(bottom of house) and almost hit the ground sometimes. Maybe in open more. I like closer to the pool and away from shed. I have morning sun, and house is in shade from 4pm on...Looks good otherwise. Takes time...

[Markcuda]

By no means am I a bat expert here, as I'm just starting out also.
With that said, I think you should be way higher.
When the bats drop down, the privacy fence is right there, not sure that it matters, but you are asking for opinions, every ones mileage might vary
If it were me, I would add 5 feet to the pole.
Here is a picture of my bat house on a 30 foot tower, I am about 15 feet from the roof of my house.

[cloudman75]

Marcuda,
I just wanted to let you know that you had similar misgivings to mine about the fence being right there when the bats would drop down in an enclosed area of sort. That's why I would think a clear flyaway for the bats would increase chances of the bat house being used. You have good intuition for a newby in this
old dude's opinion. The bats are always proving me wrong, but sometimes I get it right. It looks like that the fence is only about 6 ft or so from the storage house where the bat house is installed. One really can't tell from a photo I suppose.

Frank

[cloudman75]

Rider, In a previous post I made, I mentioned leaving the bat house where it was until about November. I recently reviewed a yearly behavior cycle chart from the Wis. DNR. I see that bats check out new roosts in August and Sept while putting on fat also for hibernation. This is for Little and Big brown bats
which you most likely have in Long Island.
I am now of the opinion that moving the house in August would increase your chances of getting bats. Just my opinion, certainly not a given fact.

Frank

[GaryDee]

I'm in Brooks County, Georgia and it took almost two years to get my bat house occupied with about 65 bats. I guess you gotta have patience. (WHEW! Got my first post out of the way!)

[cloudman75]

Hi GaryDee,
Glad you have some bats after waiting almost two years. Since you are almost on the Fla. line you may have bats year round once they get started in
numbers. I am way up in the Atlanta Area . Good to hear from you and make it many post from now on.

Frank