Traditional bat boxes are great for larger bats; smaller bat species might need a rocket box instead.
At least 13 types of bats in the United States are endangered, and more are threatened every day. [4] X Research source
Most bats also eat fruit, too.
Using a circular saw can really help speed up the process.
You can save wood by cutting the side panels right next to each other at a diagonal. Find untreated wood by looking for lumber that has the Forest Stewardship Council (or FSC) logo of approval on it.
Front piece: 150 millimetres (5. 9 in) wide by 140 millimetres (5. 5 in) tall. Back plate: 150 millimetres (5. 9 in) wide by 330 millimetres (13 in) tall. Base piece: 150 millimetres (5. 9 in) wide by 90 millimetres (3. 5 in) tall. Lid piece: 150 millimetres (5. 9 in) wide by 200 millimetres (7. 9 in) tall.
Adding a stain before assembling the pieces is much easier than waiting until after, and it will help keep your bat box around for a long time. You can find wood stains at most hardware stores.
You’ll need to use about 4 screws per side piece.
The small gap between the base and the back plate is super important, since this is where the bats will enter and exit the box.
Make sure the top of the lid fits snugly against the back plate to protect from rain, wind, and snow.
You’ll end up with 2 boards that are pointed at the top like fence posts.
There will still be an opening at the top of the box since you haven’t attached your roof plates yet.
Making the box airtight will keep the bats warm and safe during bad weather.
Make sure the wood you’re using is untreated, meaning it doesn’t have any chemicals in it. Bats are sensitive to chemicals and smells, so they may avoid your box if it’s been treated.
This is a super cozy way for bats to stay warm and hang out during bad weather.
Don’t put any paint on the inside of the box, as the smell can irritate the bats.
Bats let their body temperature drop when they aren’t moving to conserve energy.
While 12 feet (3. 7 m) above ground is fine, 15 to 20 feet (4. 6 to 6. 1 m) is better! Wood and stone buildings tend to heat up during the day, which makes them ideal locations for a bat box.
It may take a few years for the bats to find your box, so don’t get discouraged if they don’t use your bat box right away. While hanging a bat box can attract bats to your property, it isn’t a guarantee that they’ll feel safe there. If there are predators in the area or too many other bats to compete with, they might not use your box (so it’s nothing personal).
