http://www.care2.com/greenliving/make-your-own-bat-box.html
Make Your Own Bat Box
Adapted from The Blooming Lawn, Creating a Flower Meadow, by Yvette Verner.
Bats are so threatened by toxic insecticides that they need all the help they can get. A bat box can be made from untreated, preferably rough-sawed timber.
Directions for Making a Bat Box
There is no front entrance hole, but instead a 3/4″ (2 cm.) base entry slit.
Back: 16″ x 6″
Front 5″ x 6″
Side: 8″ x 25 cm
Side: 10″ x 20 cm
Roof: 9″ x 12.5 cm
Base: 3 3/4″ x 4-5 cm
Before fixing the wooden sections together, panel-pin or drill and screw two bat perches against the inside of the back wall. These are made of wood 1/2″ (1.25 cm) square and 4″ (10 cm) long.
The hinge is once again made from a strip of rubber cut from an old wellington boot and tacked on to the roof and back panel, forming a weatherproof joint.
Two hooks and eyes should be used to secure either side of the roof against wind and squirrels. Bats are protected by law, and so although a hinged roof is useful, casual inspections should not be carried out.
Bats prefer to roost high off the ground (think of a church belfry, for instance). So a position about 6 yards high on a wall or tree trunk would be ideal. However, if this is not possible, it is worth experimenting at lower levels. When siting the bat box, avoid facing it due east or west.
More from Annie B. Bond (3247 articles available)
Go to the Source
Robyn
Melissa
Deepak
Eric
Dave
Dr. Brent
Isha
Susan
Delia
Michelle
Wendy
Megan
Hilary
Ann
Judi
Ronnie
Kelly
Lily
Terri
Betsy
Cait
Andrew
Jana
Annie B.
Veronica
51 comments
add your comment »We don't av bats by me I would DEFINITELY make loads of bat boxes if did. Bless Darling Bats
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
We put up a Bat Box from our local organisation "Free Me". To date they have decided to stay where they are:-) Makes one wonder why? They are successful elsewhere but out Bats prefer to reamin above the lounge window and we don't mind at all!
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
Bless the bats that are so very important in keeping the insect population in check. Various plans can be found from the Natural Resource programs by request - usually for free. I used to mail hundreds of the nesting box plans out for our local Nongame program. Also, the rough wood to make the box might be easily obtained in a free palate or wood crate. Well worth our time and effort to make the house for the bats, who have such an important role in our ecosystem.
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
Just a thought, I was thinking of using a desktop magazine rack, with the slots in it for the magazines and just hanging it upside down on the side of my garage. Alas, I'm not crafty enough to get the above instructions. My genius is based on my photographic memory.
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
Going to have ago at making a box, not sure about sighting it though. I'm going to have to pay someone to put it up as I can't climb, but it will be worth it. Not only do I love bats, I like the idea of keeping the bug population in check; I have a bog at the bottom of the garden and the insects drive me nuts.
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
Hasn't anyone here heard of the old saying, a picture is worth a thousand words, I'm still trying to figure out the construction of the bat box and finally came up with my own.
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
I once had a caravan in the highlands of Scotland on the banks of the river Braan.At dusk I used to watch the bats fly over the surface of the river and it was amazing how they could accuratley pick out their prey.I put up a bat box and it was soon occupied.As bats in Britain are a protected species it is illegal to disturb them.I then approached a man whom I new had a licence to study these animals and I told him that I had watched them going out and in my box.He came along one day and inspected the box.Incredibly this small bat box contained no fewer than 63 bats of three different species.I was amaxed at this and I soon bought a bat detector and spent many a happy evening listening to their cries which could not be heard by the human ear.I reccomend you to try it and you will be surprised.I finished up with 34 bat boxes and all were soo occupied.
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
Every living thing plays a pivotal role in maintaining the natural balance on earth. It is gratifying to see that people care about a creature that has taken a backseat to most other animals. Thank you for the suggestions.
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
I come to click and learn every day. Including this column among the 400 most useful things I've learned at Care2 would be challenging. Anybody have an "old pair of Wellingtons" laying around? I'd prefer to stop the poor fish from having to bleed and die from sonar testing, or feed a few starving people at TheHungerSite, or, in moments of largesse, buy a new face for a horrifically disfigured child at TheSmileTrain for only $250 for what would cost tens of thousands from a US MD (I usually talk someone into splitting it with me, to spread the credit and cost). Thank you, anyway.
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
What a great suggestion, we have alot of bats coming into our backyard especially when the trees are flowering
Thanks
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
Facebook account: