How to Install a Bat Box
The mere thought of bats brings up scary images of flying vampires, monsters, and rabies. The truth is, bats are beneficial in controlling mosquito and other insect populations and are welcome at many homes. Of course, you don't want to invite them into your home because they can bite and they do carry diseases and fleas, but you can install a bat box in the yard to attract these hardworking pest-control agents. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- bat box
- post hole digger
- post
- 2x4 lumber
- lag bolts
- drill
- tape measure
- screws
- concrete
- water
- level
Instructions
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Steps
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1
Choose a location. Bats prefer to nest in an area that receives at least 8 hours of sunlight. Bat boxes installed in trees receive too much shade and you will not have many tenants. They also like to be near a source of water where there are more insects and they have easy access for drinking.
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2
Dig a post hole to a depth of 3 feet, and a width 3 inches wider than your post on all sides.
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3
Prepare the post for mounting. Use a 16 foot post and 2x4 lumber to create a T shaped structure. Cut three sections of 2x4 lumber the width of the bat box. One 2x4 should lay flat across the top of the post and the second should be flat across the front of the post. Install lag bolts to hold the T in place--one in the front, and one on top. Sink the front lag bolt so that it does not protrude and the bat box will be able to lay flat on its surface. Attach a third section of 2x4 lumber where the bottom of the bat box will be.
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4
Attach the bat box to the post using about five screws at the top of the box and five at the bottom of the box (at the lower 2x4) where the bats will land.
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5
Slide the bat box and post into the post hole facing southeast; this direction receives more sunlight. You will need additional help for this step as the structure is now top heavy and you don't want to drop and destroy your structure.
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6
Pour concrete into the hole and use your level to be sure the post is not tilting sideways or forward. Batmanagement.com suggests adding temporary supports to hold the post in position for 2 or 3 days while the concrete is drying. Supports consist of 2x4 lumber that is lightly attached to the main post with nails and braced against the surrounding ground. Nails do not need to be driven into the supports all the way as you should be able to easily knock these away with a hammer.
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Tips & Warnings
If you're trying to evict bat tenants in your attic, installing a bat house near your home or on the southeast side of your roof may encourage them to move into the box. Once they have moved, seal the areas of your attic where they are slipping in.
Once the bats are established in their new home, batmanagement.com suggests not attempting to move it for two years or it may be abandoned.
