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 Bats and Bat Houses - Frequently Asked Questions:
Answers to basic questions about bats and how to attract them to your bat house.
There are hundreds of reasons to own a bat house, up to six hundred reasons, as a matter of fact. That's how many mosquitoes a bat can consume in one hour. Few people realize that bats are one of nature's most effective means of controlling night flying insects.
Today it is feared that millions of North American bats are being killed annually by pesticides or by people who unknowingly disrupt their winter hibernation locations. By installing a bat house of your own, you can not only help rid your yard of bothersome insects, you can also provide a roosting site for these beneficial animals. This information will help you choose the right location for your bat house and provide some interesting facts about these fascinating creatures.
What kinds of bats might use my bat house?
The most commonly found bats in the northern two-thirds of the United States and in Canada are the little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus) and the big brown bat (Eptesicus fuscus). These bats are commonly found in the southeastern Unites States. In the Gulf states, the southeastern bat (Myotis austioriparius) and the Mexican free-tailed bat (Tadarida brasiliensis) are the varieties most commonly found. In the western and southwestern United States, the Mexican free-tailed bat and variety of smaller bats called mouse-eared bats may inhabit your bat house.
Where should my bat house be located?
The best way to attract bats to your bat house is by locating it within a few hundred yards of permanent water such as streams, lakes or marshes. Bat houses should be placed approximately 12-15 feet above the ground and sheltered as much as possible from the wind. Houses can be attached to a tree or a pole, although those attached to the sides of buildings have a better success because they provide more stable temperatures. Temperature stability can also be established by orienting your bat house to receive maximum sunlight, especially morning sun.
What do bats do in the winter?
In the northern two-thirds of the United States and in Canada, bats fly south or hibernate during the winter. Very few bats can survive below freezing temperatures for any length of time. Bats living in the southern and coastal states, with their mild winters, may stay the winter in a bat house.
How soon will a bat occupy my bat house?
It will probably take a year or so for bats to occupy a bat house. Hanging your house in the fall or winter might increase the chances of occupancy in the first active season. If the bat house is not occupied by the end of the second year, it would be a good idea to change its location. If bats roosts are needed in your area and your bat house is properly placed, bats will eventually find it and move in.
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