Bat Boxes

Blue Rock Station,
1190 Virginia Ridge Rd.
Philo Ohio 43771 USA
+1-740-674-4300 (phone)
+1-740-674-6303 (fax)

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Bat Boxes

Build a bat box

Ever since Dracula walked onto movie screens, bats have gotten a bum rap. Sure they are ugly little beasties, but so is my uncle Ralph and he doesn’t eat nearly as many bugs as one of these little flying critters.

You can encourage bats to hang around and eat all the little pests that can spoil your evenings out on the patio by building a few bat boxes.

Build a bat box

Follow the illustrated instructions (left) to make boxes for bats (we know the measurements are in metric – do the conversion and feel in harmony with the rest of the world)

Bats need a range of roosting sites, including summer daytime roosts, winter hibernation ones and breeding sites. You will need to make several boxes to provide the range of conditions bats need.

Make the box from rough sawn timber to give a rough interior for the bats to cling to. Make sure you only use untreated wood - some wood preservatives can kill bats!

Where should I put my bat boxes?

Choosing the right location for your boxes will improve your chances of them being used by bats. The best place to position a bat box is on a tree. Place them in groups round three sides of a tree - bats like to move from one box to another during the day and from season to season as temperatures change.

Put the boxes as high as possible above the ground to avoid predators - some species of bat prefer roosts at least 15 feet (about 5 meters) off the ground. Clear away surrounding branches to give them a clear flight path.

You can also put boxes on buildings. A good position is under the eaves to protect them from bad weather.

Can I look in my boxes to see if they are being used?

It is a really bad idea (and possibly illegal) to disturb any bat when it is roosting, or to kill, injure or handle a bat. You can find out if your bat box is occupied by watching quietly at dusk when the bats will emerge. You can also check if the box is being used by looking for crumbly brown or black droppings on the ground.

What should I do if my boxes aren't used?

Bats can take a while to investigate new premises, but if your box is not occupied within three years, try moving it.

- Ideas in this brochure “recycled” from Suffolk (UK) Wildlife Trust