Bats are very useful and interesting mammals. They are the only eaters of nocturnal flying insects such as mosquitoes, moths, and beetles. Of course, watching the bats fly around your yard agilely is also a lot of fun. This article will explain the behavior of bats and teach you how to build your own bat nest.
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Part 1 of 3: Understanding Bat Behavior
Step 1. Learn about bats from your area
Bats are of two main types, each having a different appearance and characteristics from the others.
- All bats that inhabit temperate regions of Europe and North America belong to the family Microchiroptera (roughly meaning "little bat"). In addition to its small size (more common than typical), this bat has unique physical characteristics compared to its brothers in the form of a nose or snout that tends to be short, small eyes, and wider ears.
- Megachiroptera is a suborder that represents most of the world's large bat species, and generally only inhabits tropical environments that stretch from Australia through South Asia to Southern Europe (Mediterranean). This group of species generally has a longer snout and, some say, looks like a mouse or a dog. That's why the bat species typical of Australia and Southeast Asia are often nicknamed "flying foxes."
Step 2. Understand the eating habits of bats
If you want to invite bats to nest in your home, the best way is to ensure there is an adequate supply of food.
- The small bats that inhabit most temperate regions fly at night and use echolocation to find the flying insects that are their main food. If there are no insects outside at night, you may not be able to invite bats.
- Larger tropical bats live by eating fruits and nectar. They can travel all year round to find ripe fruit or flower plants.
Step 3. Determine the type of local bat nesting site
While food is the dominant factor for bats to thrive, they also need shelter. It also varies depending on the type.
- Small insectivorous species usually nest in caves or large holes in tree trunks. Generally these species live in large groups to help them warm up in the nest. Since they like to live in tight and confined spaces, this breed can usually be lured into nesting in specially designed bat houses.
- Flying foxes and other large fruit bats usually nest in a relatively narrow section of forest compared to the large, dense colonies they build. Because of the combination of noise, smell, and damage caused by harboring hordes of bats numbering in the thousands, most areas view their nests as a nuisance that must be eradicated.
Step 4. Think about how to use the bat's behavior to your advantage
If you do intend to invite bats into your yard, consider how to adapt the animal's needs to the environment you have built. Ask yourself the following questions:
- Is there a place for bats to live or rest? Otherwise, no bats will inhabit your residence.
- Are there sufficient food sources? The bats that frequent the yard are usually insectivorous. If there are no insects due to the use of pesticides, it is almost impossible to invite bats.
- Are there nuisance factors that can keep bats away from your yard? For example, many insectivorous bats combine echolocation and passive hearing to locate their food insects. If your environment is noisy, these species cannot hunt well and will stay away.
Part 2 of 3: Preparations for Making a Bat House
Step 1. Determine a suitable location
Bat houses don't have to be large, but there are a few things to keep in mind when choosing a potential location.
- The house should be located approximately 4 1/2 meters from the ground and not be able to climb by predators.
- The house should be placed in a location exposed to sunlight most of the day.
Step 2. Understand how the bat's house looks like
Almost every part of the bat house is different from the bird house that people usually know about. The bat house has the following characteristics:
- Unlike birdhouses, the way in and out is not located in front. Instead, there should be an open lane at the bottom for entry and exit. The driveway and back wall of the bat house should also be lined with wire mesh so that the bats can climb over with their claws.
- A bat house is not a cube (like a bird house) but is a flat rectangular box, very wide, and somewhat long. Remember that you are not building the house for just one or a pair of bats. Usually bats rest in nests during the day in groups of at least a dozen bats. According to people who have designed bat houses based on behavioral studies, the rough exterior dimensions of the smallest bat houses are 34 cm wide, 9 1/2 cm high, and 51 cm long (with an additional 10 or 13 cm on the back wall that juts into the bottom of the track). in, giving the bats room to hook their claws so they can climb in).
- There should be some narrow openings at the bottom of the side of the house for air ventilation. Since bats often rest in groups swarming bat houses, the heat and CO2 they produce can render the home uninhabitable in no time.
Step 3. Determine and provide the required materials
Here are the main ingredients you'll need:
- Poles (optional) to which you attach the finished house.
- Wood, including 2 cm thick plywood that has been processed so that it is water resistant.
- Wire mesh.
- Screws (several different sizes).
- Screwdriver.
- Saw.
- Shoot staples.
Warning:
Bat nesters often cover the inside of the nest with plastic gauze to help the bats stick to the walls. However, if the screen starts to come off due to incorrect installation or bent wood, the bats can become trapped or become entangled in it. Therefore, many bat habitat experts recommend making indentations in the wood instead.
Part 3 of 3: Making a Bat House
Step 1. Cut the wood to size
The largest board will be used as the back wall of the bat house. It's a good idea to make ventilation openings on the front and sides before assembling the bat houses together and finishing.
- The size of the ventilation gap should not exceed 0.6 cm. If the size is larger than that, it could be too much cold air entering. If the gap is 1.3 cm or more, small birds can use it as a nest so that bats cannot occupy it.
- The roof of the house should be wide enough so that the back edge is just above the back wall but the front edge is a few inches wider than the top of the front wall. The roof can be arranged to cover the front and back walls at a 90-degree angle, but if you want to make it at a 30-degree angle, the roof must be longer. You will also need to cut the edges of the roof, front wall, and back wall at a certain angle so that they fit together properly.
Step 2. Attach the wire mesh to the largest board
The largest plank will be the back wall of the bat house. Use a firing stapler to secure the wire mesh in place.
You may have to cut the wire mesh to fit the board. The wire mesh should be slightly smaller than the width of the planks so as not to obstruct the joint of the back wall with the sides and roof. However, the length should reach the bottom end of the board
Step 3. Screw the floor to the front wall
The floor should only stick to the front side only. The floor should also be narrow enough so that it doesn't come into contact with the back wall when the house is assembled together. There should be a gap of about 2 cm that allows bats to enter from the bottom of the house.
Step 4. Screw the front side with the side and back side
Make a reference hole with a small drill before joining each piece with screws. Use at least two screws for each side.
Step 5. Install the roof
Again, make a hole in the shape before installing the roof. Screw the roof into place on the front and back sides of the wall. Use at least two screws for each side.
Step 6. Cover or coat the bat house with paint
Painting will provide extra protection and make the wood more durable.
Step 7. Attach the bat house to the designated place
While it can be screwed right where you want it, it's a good idea to build a mounting bracket that will hold the bat housing where you want it while allowing you to move it easily if you want. If you decide to mount the house on a new post, do so before driving the post into the ground.
