Bat House Forum

[brindle]

I'd like to try a single chamber house in my back yard. I live approx. 1/4 mile from a reservoir, and can mount on a pole in the corner of my yard facing south no problem. There is a tree approx. 20 feet away in a neighbors yard. There are crazy mosquitoes in DC in the summer, so I'm hoping that will entice the bats.

Should I paint the house - if so what color is bast for the DC area? Does anyone have any advice, or thoughts on the likelihood of attracting bats in the city?

I am considering placing the pole in the right corner of the back yard. Your thoughts are all quite welcome.

Thanks....

[Joe Spencer]

I will return tomorrow and will post as soon as I can. Hopefully someone else won't keep u waiting. Welcome....

[Dave Miller]

There is a map in this document from BCI which shows the color you should use: http://batcon.net/pdfs/bathouses/bathousecriteria.pdf

Looking at your neighborhood, I am wondering if mounting on a south or east-facing wall or chimney would be a better option? I would try that before putting up a pole.

Perhaps you can post a photo of your south and east walls? Then we can suggest a good spot.

Thanks,

Dave

[brindle]

The house is a rowhouse, so I have limited options. I have attached a picture showing the side of the house at the rear corner. Be sure to pan down to see the relation to the neighbors house. The gap between the houses are the walkways to the rear basement entrance of each house.

What if I hung the house near the false chimney (the red arrow)? This wall is south facing and is about 2.5 stories off the ground so it is quite high. The two issues are a large walnut tree in the neighbors yard and the fact that I am close to the neighbors house.

I can trim the few branches you see. (Most branches on my side of the fence are already removed) What about the distance between the houses? Is this sufficient? Any recommendations? Thanks in advance....

[Dave Miller]

I say go ahead and place it on the false chimney. If you can trim some of the tree branches that would be good.

The distance to your neighbors is not a problem, bats are very maneuverable. The tree branches would discourage the bats because a predator (owl or hawk) could sit on the branch and nab them as they enter/exit the house.

It would be good to discourage predators from sitting on top of the chimney as well, for the same reason. I recall a product called "nixalite" AKA "porcupine wire" that is designed to keep birds from roosting on surfaces. But I would not worry about that until you have a good bat colony.

In deference to your neighbors I would not place the house directly opposite any of their windows. Unless they are bat fans, of course.

I must admit that your chances of attracting bats to an urban area are low. However without a bat house your chances are zero, so in the name of science I say go for it! If you get no bats after a few years, you can probably move your bat house to a nearby woodland where it will get used.

Have you ever seen bats in your neighborhood?

[brindle]

I've seen a few bats, but not many. It would be an interesting experiment, so I'm willing to try. I appreciate your input. I'll give it a go, and post back with any questions, or if I see any activity.

Thanks again...

[kbwwdc]

another dc row-house owner here (with south-facing side wall similar to poster above). interested to know if any bats have arrived at the location above. any luck?

[cloudman75]

Could you post a photo of your back yard where the pole would go that you were considering? I believe in poles over house structures if conditions warrant especially to distance the bat house from neighbors and trees.
Thanks,

Frank