ntifically proven, and this is generally discouraged because of the risk of exposure to harmful bacteria than can exist in the guano.
What size bat house do I need?
You should always consider design when selecting your bat house. According to research, larger bat houses (often called nursery houses) have higher occupancy rates than the smaller houses. We often recommend a minimum capacity of 100-300 bats. Multiple bat houses will often increase occupancy rates. By combining a larger house for the females and their pups and a smaller house for the more solitary males, people are able to establish larger and more stable bat colonies. In addition to size, there are other factors to consider. All landing areas and partition surfaces should be rough to allow bats to easily cling when landing and roosting. Ventilation gaps are important where average July temperatures exceed 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
Where should I place my bat house?
You may place your bat house on a tree, pole, or a building; however, boxes mounted on poles or buildings tend to have a higher occupancy than those mounted on trees. For mounting on buildings, wood or stone buildings are best, and your bat house should be mounted under the eaves with 6-10 hours of sun exposure depending on your region. You should mount your house 15-20 feet above the ground where it will not be exposed to bright lights. Also, you should place your bat house where it will receive at least six hours of sun if you live in a region where average July temperatures range from 80 to100 degrees Fahrenheit. If you live in a region where average July temperature are less than 80 degrees Fahrenheit, you should mount your bat house where it will receive at least 10 hours of sun.
Should I paint my bat house?
While it is not necessary to paint a bat house, doing so can often help in regulating the temperature inside the house. Bat houses in warmer areas, such as the southern United States, may benefit from light colored paint. Cooler areas, such as the northern U. S. and Canada, may benefit from a darker color to help absorb more warmth from the sun. Do not paint inside the house, as the bats need a rough natural surface to hang from when they are roosting during the day.
When should I put up my bat house?
You may mount your box at any time of the year, but those boxes mounted in the spring are often occupied more quickly. If you are evicting a colony of bats from a building, a box should be mounted several weeks prior to the eviction.
How do I know if I have bats in my bat house?
One easy way to find out whether or not your bat house is occupied is to look for bat guano (bat droppings) under or near the bat house. Another way is to shine a strong flashlight up into the house. It is recommended that you only do this once a week, as frequently disturbing a colony can cause them to abandon the bat house.
Should I clean my bat house?
Bat houses are relatively maintenance free, so you should not have to clean your bat house. General maintenance, such as repainting the house, should be done when the bats have left to hibernate for the winter.
I put up a bat house, but still do not have any bats. What can I do?
Attracting a colony can take some time, and many different factors are involved in the process. The first consideration is the location of the house. Is it up high enough? Is it close enough to water? Are there adequate food sources nearby? The second consideration is temperature inside the house. If the average temperature is too hot or too cold or is inconsistent, bat colonies may not stay. By limiting or increasing the amount of sunlight a house receives in order to maintain a consistent warm temperature. Other factors that affect bat house occupation include the use of pesticides nearby, human activity, and lack of vegetation.
How do I get bats out of my home?
Merely putting up a bat house will not lure a bat colony out of a house. Successfully evicting a bat colony requires a few steps. The first step is to inspect the inside of the house for small openings through which bats could enter. 