Make Your Own Bat Box

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.

Read more: Nature, Natural Pest Control

Adapted from The Blooming Lawn, Creating a Flower Meadow, by Yvette Verner. Copyright (c)1998 by Yvette Verner. Reprinted by permission of Chelsea Green Publishing Company.
Adapted from The Blooming Lawn, Creating a Flower Meadow, by Yvette Verner.

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

KS G.

12:26AM PST on Nov 26, 2011

Thanks for the article.

send a green star

Lynette E.

10:01AM PDT on Oct 12, 2011

I think the bat box is a great idea - just wish a couple of pictures were added to see how to make it.

Carole R.

2:40PM PDT on Oct 4, 2011

Interesting. I might consider going batty.

Teresa W.

6:36AM PDT on Jul 31, 2011

Bats in the city?

Melissa R.

8:01PM PDT on Aug 15, 2010

I love the planters! A great idea for inside the home, I'm also going to try the wall garden. They have such visual appeal. The neatest thing (call me a kook), was the bat box. A great way to encourage them to make their home near you. The dust mite article had very practical solutions to a very annoying problem I am forever fighting. Thanks Care2 for all the wonderful information you provide daily!

Carol R.

12:42PM PDT on Aug 5, 2010

Bats are wonderful. My husband made two boxes several years ago. They are hanging at ou lot. Plenty of bugs sor them there!

mr C.

12:35PM PDT on Aug 5, 2010

holy box, batman!

Michael C.

10:24AM PST on Jan 28, 2010

These folks know bats and offer good suggestions features if you build one.

http://www.flybynightinc.org/

Free plans here

http://free.woodworking-plans.org/bat-house-plans.html

Elaine R.

1:49AM PDT on Jul 23, 2009

We don't av bats by me I would DEFINITELY make loads of bat boxes if did. Bless Darling Bats

Hilary K.

1:47AM PDT on Jul 22, 2009

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!