How to build a BAT house from recycled pickets

Don't throw away those wood fence pickets after a storm. They have lots of uses and make nice yard decorations. After hurricane Ike hit, I could not get enough cedar pickets, they were every where. Nothing like building projects with free materials.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• table saw
• miter saw
• brad nailer
• glue
• 3-6' fence pickets

1. 
   recycle cedar pickets

   Why a bat house? Bats very much contribute to the environment. They keep the bug population down, they are quiet when they work, and they work the 3rd shift. The droppings give back to the earth as fertilizer, aka (guano). Some horticulturist buy guano for their plants.

2. 

   This was made with 3 pickets. The house measures 16 1/2 x 18 x 2 1/2 inches. The angle cut for the roof is 10 degrees. A 1/2 slot on the front enables an easy access entrance. The braces are a decorative perch but also hold the slats together. The bottom is open to allow free flight.

3. 

   Set your chop saw at 10 degrees. Cut the tops of the 3 pickets for the roof 3 inches long. Set the saw to 90 degrees. Cut the back pieces 18 inches with the 10 degree cut on one end. You can trim the pieces after we dry fit. Set the saw back to 10 degrees and cut the very end for the front three panels. Choose the side you want to display before making this cut. Set the saw to 90 degrees. Cut 3 13 inch pieces. Cut 3 more pieces 4 inches long.

4. 

   Set the table saw to rip @ 1 inch. Take the remainder of the wood and rip it into strips. The small left over edges will serve as the front braces.

5. 

   Cut 2 1" pieces for the sides @ 18 inches in length. the top part at a 10 degree angle and the bottom cut at a 90 degree. Cut a 1" piece @ 15 inches for the inside top support.

6. 

   You are now ready to assemble. Lay the back pieces down looking at the back with the 10 degree slope facing to the front. Measure the width and cut 2 one inch braces, space them out 3 inched from each end glue and nail. Flip it over and glue and nail the 15 inch roof support just below the angle of the roof cut. This will serve as a ceiling inside the house and something to nail the front picket to.

7. Glue and nail the one inch sides to the back. You are now ready to attach the front pieces. Leave a 1/2 inch gap for easy access and the bottom will be open for them to get out. A one inch piece can be placed on the inside as support to attach the center pickets braces then remove. Trim off the bottom on the table saw to even them out.

Tips & Warnings

• Mount your bat house at least 10 feet up
• If installing to a tree use bungi cords
• Be patient, it could take as long as a year for a bat to find your house
• Turn the ruff part of the wood to the inside so that bats can cling to it
• Bats only need a 1/4 inch crack to access their home but the bottom is open for exit and entrance as well.
• For more information on bats, contact Harry the Batman with Arkansas State Parks/Devils Den. He is a leading authority on the subject.
• Bat tours are available at Devils Den State Park.

Resources

• Devils Den State Park

[williamfjordan]

on 11/7/2009 great use for old fence pickets ... 5*

[annaiam]

on 2/25/2009 Great project!! Great way to recycle items we already have while making something for bats! 5*

[Quickstar]

on 1/28/2009 What a great project thanks for your ehow! 5*

[2plus2]

on 1/26/2009 Great idea to reuse materials. If we could just teach people about the wonderful usefulness of bats (how they eat many of the pesky insects), and that there really is very little to be afraid of.

[Punkuns]

on 1/20/2009 I know the bats around here would appreciate a new home and it just might keep them out of the chimneys! Great recycling project!