Attracting Bats and Setting Up Bat Houses

There are typically two types of bats found in this area: little brown bats and big brown bats. Bats help control insects (they can eat up to 500 per hour throughout the night!), pollinate plants, and scatter seeds. One reason the bat population is declining is due to loss of habitat and providing a bat house will help bats survive.Location is very important to bats. Northern bats crave warmth, so their houses should be placed in a location where they get at least four hours of sun each day. Nursery colonies (groups of mothers with young) are particularly temperature sensitive. Big brown bats prefer roosts that remain at 80º to 90º for most of the day and night and little brown bats like their homes even warmer. East, southeast and south facing locations are the most popular. It may help to use a dark (black or brown) color water-based paint or stain on your bat house.Bat houses should be at least 12 feet high; 15-20 feet is even better. The house should be mounted on a building or pol...