Bat House Forum

[bukaroo12]

Hello,
New here. I just build 2 - 4 chamber houses. I'm wondering which way I should face my bathouses. I live in Ohio. I'm putting two at the top of a 4x4. They will be back to back, but on opposite sides of the 4x4 and not connected. Or if it's recommended, I could mount them at a right angle to each other or even on the same side of the 4x4, but I'm a little worried the wind could get a good hold of it that way. Any suggestions are appreciated.
Thanks,
Dale

[Joe Spencer]

Hi Dale! Back to back is fine especially for stability. Since they're back to back, face one East and the other West. You could also consider cutting out a couple holes halfway up in the back of each bat house connecting them with 2" pvc pipe and silicone caulking to seal joining areas. The latter isn't necessary but it gives bats more options enabling them to switch roosts/bat houses during the day without exposing themselves. Very few people have experimented with this and that is what bat housing is all about. I did this once years ago (before I had my digicam) and noticed that a few bats switched during the day. I just haven't had time to experiment with it. With my megarocket designs I have placed holes/acccess areas between sections and have noticed movement of bats during the day horizontally between chambers. Of course we know that bats' major movements are vertically in response to extreme temperature changes but internal horizontal access my complement. Questions:

How far are you from the nearest year round water source?

Have you seen bats foraging in your yard or neighborhood?

Good luck on occupancy.

[bukaroo12]

Joe,
Thanks for the response. I was thinking about doing the PVC pipe you suggested, but didn't know if it would help. Maybe I'll give that a try. I've got two 1.5" holes in each of the boards separating the chambers so they can move horizontally. I was also considering building a rocket style house around the 4x4 below the two "standard" style houses.

I have seen bats foraging in my back yard. Probably about 4 or 5 at one time is the most I've seen. I assume, they're the same ones. They showed up pretty consistently last year. I'm about 3/4 of a mile from the nearest pond and slightly over one mile from a large lake.

Thanks,
Dale