Do you have bats in your vicinity? Perhaps bats in your home that you would prefer to move elsewhere? Build a bat box for those little flying insect eaters!
Step 1
Cut the 12 ft section of 1x8 rough sawn board into the following:
- Three pieces 22 inches long (creating the sides and back of your "house")
- One 17.25 inches long (Front of the house)
- Two 13 inch pieces (two partitions)
- One 11 inch piece (the third partition)
Step 2
Using two of the 22 inch pieces and measure 17.25 inches on one side.
Preparation
- Cut diagonally from the 17.25 mark to the closest end corner on the other side of the board.
- Repeat for the second 22 inch board. This makes the sides of your bat house.
- Set your Skil saw to 33 degree cut.
- Angle cut the "top" ends of the following boards:
- Remaining 22 inches
- 17.25 piece
- Measure and mark the two side pieces parallel to their long sides as follows:
- 2 Inches
- 2.75 Inches
- 3.5 inches
- The last line "should" end up 1.5 inches from the opposite edge
Assembly
- Assemble the sides and front and back pieces with their angled ends up.
- Nail or screw the front, back and two sides together. (Side pieces overlap the front and back pieces at their edges.)
- Insert the partitions by laying the house on it's side and sliding them into the box.
- Center each partition on a line and nail or screw into place.
- Note: Position each partition so that it's angled edge will lay flush with the angled roof.
- Note: The shortest partitions should be at the front of the box, while the 13 inches should be positioned at the back.
- Place the 10 inch 1x10 on top of the angled section so that it lies flush with the "back" of the bat house and overhangs the "front" of the bat house.
- Nail or Screw the roof in place.
- Caulk all exterior seams.
Side view of bat box interior arrangement.
Tips
- Bats enter the house from the bottom. Leave it open.
- Do not paint the interior of the house, as it may repel bats.
- Use rough sawn wood, preferably cedar. Rough sawn wood gives the bats something to hang from and crawl on. Cedar will not deteriorate as quickly as some woods.
- Mount the bat box 12-15 feet off the ground.
- Bats prefer a temperature range of 80-100 degrees Fahrenheit. Locate your bat house accordingly. (orientation to sun, prevailing winds, etc)
- You could paint the bat house exterior light or dark to either cool down or warm up the interior.
Warnings
- Take sensible precautions when using tools.
Things You'll Need
- Power saw
- Hammer (alternatively, screws and screw driver)
- Ruler / tape measure
- Pencil
- 12 foot section of 1x8 untreated, rough sawn cedar
- 11 inch section of 1x10 untreated, rough sawn cedar
- 20 or so nails or 2 inch wood screws
