Bats – The Unsung Heroes of Your Backyard

Have you ever found yourself swatting away mosquitoes on a warm summer evening, wishing there was some way to keep those bloodsucking pests at bay? Well, my friend, I have the perfect solution for you – bats! These furry, winged wonders are not only fascinating creatures, but they’re also nature’s very own pest control experts. And today, I’m going to show you how to build a modern wooden bat house that will invite these helpful critters to make your yard their home.

Now, I know what you’re thinking – bats? Aren’t they like, super scary and dangerous? Well, let me dispel that myth right away. Bats are actually incredibly important to our ecosystem, and they pose virtually no threat to us humans. In fact, they’re more afraid of us than we are of them! Plus, they do us a huge favor by gobbling up tons of those pesky mosquitoes and other night-flying insects. It’s a win-win situation, if you ask me.

Crafting a Cozy Bat Abode

Okay, let’s get down to business. Building a bat house may sound like a daunting task, but I promise it’s actually pretty straightforward. The key is to create a structure that meets the specific needs of our winged friends. And fortunately, I’ve done all the research for you.

First and foremost, you’ll want to use high-quality, weather-resistant materials like cedar. This not only ensures the longevity of your bat house, but it also creates a comfortable, insulated environment for your new tenants. I’ll be using some cedar fence panels and 1×2 boards that I picked up from the local home center.

Next, you’ll need to pay close attention to the dimensions and placement of your bat house. Bats prefer roosts that are at least 10 feet off the ground, with 12 to 20 feet being even better. And you’ll want to make sure there’s at least 10 to 14 feet of clear space below the house, so the bats have plenty of room to swoop in and out.

As for the size of the house itself, the experts recommend a multi-chambered design that’s around 20 to 30 inches tall and 14 to 16 inches wide. This provides more thermal stability and offers a variety of roosting options for your bat tenants.

Bringing the Bat House to Life

Alright, time to get our hands dirty! I’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of building this modern wooden bat house, complete with all the tips and tricks I’ve learned along the way.

First up, let’s cut our plywood for the back of the house. I had a spare piece lying around, but you can also pick up a partial sheet from your local home center. Next, I’ll grab those cedar fence panels and run them through the planer to get a nice, smooth surface. I’ll then cut six pieces to the appropriate length for the slats on the front and the roof.

Now, it’s time to tackle the angled sides. I’m using my trusty table saw to cut those 1×2 boards at a 10-degree angle on one end, so the roof will sit at the perfect angle. If you don’t have a table saw, no worries – you can do this with a handy circular saw and a straight edge.

Once I’ve got all the pieces cut, it’s time to start assembling. I’m going to line the inside of the house with some plastic mesh, so the bats have something to climb and cling to. And I’ll be using plenty of high-quality, exterior-grade screws and silicone caulk to ensure a weatherproof seal.

The last critical component is the predator guard – a 3/4-inch piece of wood that creates a small entry gap, just big enough for the bats to squeeze through but too small for larger predators. This is an essential feature to keep your new tenants safe and sound.

After a thorough sanding and a coat of protective exterior wood finish, my modern wooden bat house is ready to go! I can’t wait to see which critters come calling.

Bat-Friendly Backyard Bliss

Now, here’s the fun part – finding the perfect spot to hang your new bat abode. As I mentioned earlier, bats prefer roosts that are at least 10 feet off the ground, with 12 to 20 feet being even better. And they’ll be even more attracted to your house if it’s mounted on a building or large wooden/concrete structure, rather than a lone pole.

But that’s not all – bats also like their homes to be within a quarter-mile of a reliable water source. So, if you’ve got a pond, stream, or even a birdbath in your yard, you’re already halfway there!

Oh, and one more thing – bats are sun-lovers, just like us! Make sure to place your bat house in a spot that gets at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. This helps keep the interior nice and toasty, which is exactly how our winged friends like it.

Attracting and Welcoming Your Bat Neighbors

Now that your bat house is all set up, it’s time to start thinking about how to make your backyard the ultimate bat-friendly oasis. And let me tell you, these amazing creatures have some pretty specific preferences when it comes to their ideal habitat.

First and foremost, bats love to feast on night-flying insects, so planting a variety of moth-attracting flowers and trees is a must. Think fragrant, light-colored blooms that stay open well into the evening hours. And don’t forget about those trusty oak trees – they’re a real boon for bat-friendly backyard biodiversity.

Speaking of diversity, try to incorporate a mix of native plants that match your regional climate and soil conditions. These will not only provide the best food sources for your bat neighbors, but they’ll also help support a thriving ecosystem of other critters and pollinators.

And if you really want to go the extra mile, consider leaving a dead tree or two standing in your yard (as long as it’s not posing a safety hazard, of course). Bats love to roost in the cracks and crevices of weathered wood, so this will give them even more housing options to choose from.

Finally, remember to keep those pesky pesticides at bay. Not only are they harmful to the environment, but they can also be toxic to our winged friends. Instead, embrace your inner bat-lover and let nature take its course – your yard and garden will thank you!

Coexisting Peacefully with Bats

I know what you’re thinking – with all this talk about bats, you’re probably starting to get a little nervous about the prospect of sharing your backyard with these furry flyers. But I can assure you, there’s really nothing to worry about.

You see, bats are actually quite docile and prefer to avoid human interaction whenever possible. In fact, they’re much more afraid of us than we are of them! And as long as you maintain a respectful distance and avoid handling them, the chances of any sort of encounter are pretty slim.

That said, it’s always a good idea to exercise a bit of caution around any wild animal, bats included. If you ever spot one on the ground, for example, it’s best to steer clear and call in the experts. Bats can carry diseases like rabies, but the risk is no greater than with any other wild mammal.

In the end, the benefits of having bats in your backyard far outweigh the minuscule risks. These amazing creatures are crucial to the health of our ecosystems, and by providing them with a safe, welcoming habitat, you’re doing your part to protect and preserve their populations. Plus, you’ll get to enjoy the breathtaking sight of their aerial acrobatics as they swoop and dive, gobbling up those pesky mosquitoes and other insects.

So, what are you waiting for? Head on over to Timber Building and grab the supplies you need to build your very own modern wooden bat house. Trust me, your backyard (and your mosquito-bitten skin) will thank you!