9 Features to Look for in a Bat House

Installing a bat house may seem daunting, but it’s worth the effort. Bats eat pesky backyard bugs, and some even pollinate flowers. To be a good bat landlord, it’s important to install a house in a place where bats are protected and have access to important resources.

Here’s what you should look for when you’re buying, installing or making a bat house.

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Find the Perfect Bat House Location

Think about where the bat house will go. Look for a spot with sun exposure that’s close to water and a mix of farmland and natural areas is ideal. Consider planting a moon garden to enjoy the backyard benefits and support bats with a source of nectar.

Add a Predator Guard

Just like birdhouses, bat houses can be raided by backyard predators. Mount the house on a pole and add a metal predator guard for extra security.

Attach the Box to a Tall Pole

Mount the house 12 to 20 feet off the ground—taller is better. It should sit above the highest vegetation beneath the house.

Choose a Large Box

Garden Critters: Beyond the Birds and Butterflies | Birds & Blooms — Little brown bat

Bats can gather in sizable colonies. Pick a bat house with a large box, over 2 feet tall and 14 inches wide, to host the groups.

Use Durable Materials

Bat house Woodlink Photo Courtesy of Woodlink, a Division of Panacea Products, Inc.

Look for a house made of materials that won’t degrade easily. Wood, fiber cement and plastic are acceptable building materials.

Keep Out Bad Weather

Well-sealed houses keep bats dry and happy, while retaining heat in cold periods.

Learn how to make a DIY bluebird house.

Ensure Good Ventilation

While the house should be weather-proof, properly placed vents are important for providing air circulation to the colony.

Paint the Box the Right Color

The warmer the climate you live in, the lighter the house should be painted or stained in order to keep the bats a comfortable temperature.

Here’s how to build a one-board DIY bird house.

Bats Need a Well-Placed Entrance

Look for an entrance at the bottom. It allows the bats to enter and exit easily.

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Author

Rachel Maidl

Rachel Maidl is a former senior editor for Birds & Blooms magazine. She enjoys bird-watching in her urban backyard and local state parks, gardening for pollinators and researching new plants. Her favorite backyard visitors are the bumblebees that visit her sedums.

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Kenn and Kimberly Kaufman

As a teenager in the 1970s, Kenn Kaufman hitch-hiked all over North America in pursuit of birds, an adventure later chronicled in his cult-classic book Kingbird Highway. After several years as a professional nature tour leader, taking groups to all seven continents, he transitioned to a career as a writer, editor, and illustrator. His 14 books incl...

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Kirsten Schrader

Now Birds & Blooms' content director, Kirsten has been writing about birding and gardening for 17 years. Her writing and editing roles have spanned the print and digital landscape. Although she has traveled to see amazing birds throughout the U.S., Kirsten has one dream bucket list bird—the male painted bunting.