October is “Bat Appreciation Month” and we sure appreciate our flying mammal friends. Attracting bats to your backyard can be simple with proper bat house placement.

FUN FACTS ABOUT BATS

Did You Know?

• Bat houses should be placed on a pole, house, barn, garage, or any other structure that is at least 15’ tall.
• The higher the bat house is placed, the better your chances of attracting bats.
• Two bat houses placed back to back on a pole offer the greatest chance of attracting bats.
• Houses should be positioned so that they face south or southeast, preferably so that they get morning sunlight.
• Bats eat almost their full body weight nightly, they are the major predators of night-flying insects.
• The United States has nearly 50 species of bats, most of which consume insects. The bats most commonly found in the Midwest consist of Big Brown Bats, Little Brown Bats, Red Bats, Hoary Bats, and Silver-Haired Bats.
• Of all the bat species in the United States, only the colony-roosting bats will use bat houses, such as the Big Brown Bats and the Little Brown Bats.
• If a bat gets caught in your house, open the doors and windows and calmly sit down. The bat will use echolocation to find its way out.
• Once a colony of bats has found your bat house, they will use that same house every year.
• Untreated cedar or exterior plywood increases durability and attracts bats.
• Interior walls are grooved or covered with mesh to help adults and pups cling.

  

Elements of a Good Bat House

• Slanted roof for rain run-off.
• The ceiling inside bat house traps heat.
• A slot that allows for ventilation.
• Predator guard (not visible) protects roosting bats.
• A long, grooved landing platform allows easy access for bats.
• Long, narrow design provides temperature variation.

To learn more about proper bat house placement visit: https://www.batbnb.com/hanging-guide