Please Help Our Ohio Bats - Make Ready Bat Friendly Houses & Roosts for Spring/Summer Occupancy

Feb. 10, 2014

Bats sometimes create roosts, or gathering places, in people’s homes or barns. These places may not be ideal, but that doesn’t mean you have to get rid of your insect-eating bat population. Build your own bat shelter!


Build a Bat Roost

Materials
  • 1 sheet ½ inch ply wood
  • Dark, water-based paint
  • Fiberglass screening

Procedure

 
Use a jigsaw to cut the ply wood into any shape you’d like. Painting it a dark color will help absorb heat, which will attract bats. Staple fiberglass screening on the back of the wood. This will give the bats a foothold. You can also use a table saw to score the back of the wood. 
 
Next, cut and attach spacers ¾-1 inch wide. Hang your roost on a garage wall, the side of your house, or anywhere you’d like. Remember, if bats do use the roost, the wall could become stained and messy.  

 

Or Try One of These Bat House Woodworking Plans

http://www.eparks.org/wildlife_protection/wildlife_facts/bats/bat_house.asp

http://free.woodworking-plans.org/bat-house-plans.html

http://www.nwf.org/How-to-Help/Garden-for-Wildlife/Gardening-Tips/Build-a-Bat-House.aspx

http://www.batconservation.org/bat-houses/build-your-own-bat-house

http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/how-to/intro/0,,20165965,00.html

http://www.bat-houses.org/