Location of a Bat Box
A bat box should, if possible, be located near a permanent source
of water. Bats needs a clear fly-in to their box.
The box should be hung about 12 to 15 feet above the ground. The side of
a building works well for a box.
Bats and Insects
Birds, especially swallows, play a major role in controlling
day-flying insects. The amount that bats eat
varies depending on the season and reproductive condition. A nursing mother is
an especially heavy feeder. It's amazing - 10 little brown bats could catch more
than 10,000 insects in an evenings feeding,
since an individual will consume hundreds of moths or
thousands of mosquitoes during a night.
Bats and Birds
Bats and birds do not compete, either for food or space. So put
up a few bird houses to encourage birds to nest in the yard.
Temperature is very important to a bat. Nursery colonies of females and
young prefer 80 to 100 degrees. It is best to orient the box to
receive the maximum sun early in the day. Bachelor colonies
frequently select cooler roosts.
