How to Make a Bat Box

Mosquitoes can be nuisances in the spring and summer. Bats are their natural enemy and help to control the pesky bugs in your back yard. Building a bat box can help conserve the bat population.

Things You'll Need

• 12-foot piece of 1-by-8-inch cedar or plywood
• Skill saw
• Measuring tape
• Pencil
• Ruler
• Hammer
• Galvanized nails
• 11-inch piece of 1-by-10-inch cedar or plywood

Instructions

1. Cut the 1-by-8-inch piece of untreated plywood or cedar into six pieces: three 22 inches long (sides and back), one 17 1/4 inches long (front), two 13 inches long (two partitions) and one 11 inches long (third partition).

2. Measure 17 1/4 inches on two of the 22-inch boards and mark with a pencil. Draw a diagonal line from the mark to the closest opposite corner on both boards. Cut along the lines with a skill saw.

3. Adjust the skill saw to 33 degrees. Cut an angle along the edge of one end on the other five pieces.

4. Mark the two sides (the angled 22-inch pieces) of the bat box with four lines. Starting at the long end, draw lines at the 2-inch mark, then at 2 ¾ inches, 3 1/2 inches and 5 inches.

5. Nail the front and back to the two side panels. Angled ends should point upward and the side pieces fit over the front and back pieces.

6. Insert the partitions along the pencil lines flush with the tops and sides. Back to front should be the 13-inch partitions, then the 11 inch. Nail them in place.

7. Nail the 1-by-10-inch board to the top (the angled end) so it's flush to the back and creates an overhang on the front and sides.

Tips & Warnings

• Use rough cedar or plywood. Bats need a foothold to get in the box. Do not paint the box or treat the wood because it can be toxic and bats may not like the smell.

References

• Mammoth Cave National Park.
• Organization for Bat Conservation