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BATS, they are very quiet and they eat bugs. What more could one ask of a fellow Earthmate?

But, they need to live somewhere. Why not near your place?

For many years bats lived in the attic of our old farmhouse. When we remodelled we closed off their entry point, (after they had left for the season). the next year they were back and tried and tried to find that place they went into the house. I felt bad, so I built a house they could have instead.

I found a basic plan on the internet. I recommend that you do the same as I don’t remember the exact dimensions. I do recall that the space between walls was very narrow. Apparently they like it cozy, crowded and hot.

I found this site to check out: http://free.woodworking-plans.org/bat-house-plans.html

and this: http://greatlakesecho.org/2009/06/01/great-lakes-bats-threatened-by-mysterious-disease/

And this informative site: http://dnr.wi.gov/wnrmag/html/stories/2003/aug03/bats.htm

 Year one I counted two inhabitants. The second year I counted thirty-seven as they flew out on a late summer evening. This year in April I counted thirteen, and that’s before they’ve had a chance to make new families.

Here is how I made the bat cave house we enjoy.  

Figure 1. 

  These are a few of the materials I used, including an old campaign sign of 1/8th inch plywood. Just right.

Figure 2

 Here you can see the back board with some grooves cut in for bat traction. I added some heavy gauge wire for extra grip for the bats as they move around and sleep.

Figure 3.

  I stapled the wire with an air stapler.

Figure 4

   This end shot shows the partitions which now give us four spaces, (apartments?), when the front is installed. I separated the 1/8th inch plywood partitions with 3/8ths inch thick trim pieces nailed to the sides. For this I used an air brad nailer. The air nailer is preferred because the wire nail is driven into place in one stroke. No repeated hammer blows to shake the thing apart.

Figure 5

  The finished house. Painted with high quality latex from the hardware store return bin. $0.50. I added carpet so the little folks could wipe their feet before entering.

Figure 6.

  Top at a slight angle and a shingle for the rain. Notice I left extra on the back. That gets bent up and seals against the barn wall when installed.

Figure 7.

  Kinda hard to see, but I put two brackets on the back that slip over a horizontal strap mounted to the barn. This means I don’t have to nail or screw the box in place, while on a ladder. Just set it down into place.

Figure 8.

 A close up of the bracket.

Figure 9.

 I hooked a pulley to a nail and was able to hoist the box working alone. Back on the picture of the top you might be able to make out a hook.  (My helicopter was in the shop for service).

Figure 10.

 A done deal!   Think the barn needs paint?

Figure 11.

 See? It’s way up there, where the bats live.

Figure 12.

 This is what the bats see when they leave the house for a nice bug dinner, (breakfast?). apparently their vision isn’t so good. Looks kinda blurry to me. On a three acre parcel, (just past the junk pile), is a wetland scrape done in 2002 with the help of the United States NRCS. Our wonderful federal government at work. Thanks guys!