Oklahoma Bats
. . . Coming Out of the Dark
Build A Bat House
For more information on building a bathouse see...Where Can I Get More Information About Bird Houses, Bird Feeders, and Bat Houses?
Bat houses, like the one shown here, provide
needed roosts for bats as they face an increase in
habitat destruction. This house can hold up to 30 bats.
MATERIALS:
One - 1" x 7 1/2" x 6' board of rough-cut lumber,
preferably cedar (Figure 1); 28-1 1/2" flathead wood
screws number eights; two - 10-penny nails
TOOLS:
Pencil, tape measure, saw, screwdriver, carpenter's
square, drill with l/8" drill bit
CONSTRUCTION:
- With a pencil, measure one piece 7 1/2" x 3 1/2"
(Roof - A); one piece 7 1/2" wide x 25" long (Back -
B); one piece 7 1/2" wide x 21 1/2" long (Front - C);
two pieces 21 1/2" long x 1 1/2" wide (Side - D); one
piece 3/4" wide x 6" long (Entrance Spacer - E) and one
piece 1 1/2" wide x 6" long (Ceiling - F).
- Cut out measured boards; make sure inside-facing
surfaces are roughened. Depending on your location,
paint the houses according to "Bat House Success
Secrets".
- Drill two 1/8" holes in the upper portion of the
back (B) for hanging completed bat house.
- Assemble boards according to Figure 2, making
sure that the painted surfaces face out. Add some
insulating material (insulation, cotton balls, etc.) before installing ceiling (F). Secure assembled box with
wood screws.
- Locate a spot at least 15 feet above the ground that
receives at least six hours of direct sunlight. After matching
the holes in the back (B), hammer the 10-penny nails
into the location, which should probably be either the
side of a building or a pole. Hang bat house on these
nails.
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