A Homeowner’s Guide to Installing Bat Houses

Bats are very important to us, even if they can also be a nuisance at times. Not only do bats serve an ecological role in our surrounding environment, but they also contribute to the promise of our local economies, and more. There are many ways you can support local bat populations, without ever putting yourself or your property at risk. First, you can be sure to never harm, trap, or kill wild bats. Furthermore, you can install bat houses to give bats a place to rest their tired wings during the day!

Constructing, installing, and maintaining bat houses is a serious hobby since you do not want to hurt bats or put them in a hazardous situation. Also, many bats are protected by the state, or even federally, making it inhumane and illegal to put them in harms’ way. For this reason, you need to be sure you use the proper methods if you want bat houses on your property.

Continue reading to learn what you need to know before getting started on your bat house initiative!

VA Richmond Bat Removal
VA Richmond Bat Removal 804-729-9097

Buying or Building Bat Houses

First, you need a bat house. You can choose to build your own, or you can simply purchase a pre-constructed bat house online or at your local home improvement store. If you choose to craft your own bat house, it is critical that you know how to operate and apply the necessary tool and materials for the project and follow all state laws and best practices for building bat houses. If you decide to build your own, here are some free bat house plans we recommend.

Bat House Installation Tips

Bat houses must be installed in certain areas, and in certain ways, to keep everyone safe, including the bats themselves. Usually, it is recommended to install bat houses on the edge of a property, away from the home, but close to a body of water or small group of trees. When it comes time to mount them, designate a wooden pole or pivot pole. Do not mount bat houses on trees because they will not get enough light, which creates interior warmth. Furthermore, mounting them on trees will make it more difficult for bats to enter and take flight, and makes them more vulnerable to predators.

How to Install a Bat House

Mount your bat house in an area that gets 6 to 8 hours of sun light. This means it should face South or East.

Install your bat house 12 to 20 feet off the ground or above the highest vegetation beneath it.

Keep bat houses at least 20 to 30 feet away from tree branches and other obstructions that can interfere with their flight.

Mount your bat house near a major water source, such as a year-round stream, creek, pond, river, or lake.

Are you having problems with nuisance bats around your house? Contact Virginia Bat Pros at 804-729-9097 for comprehensive bat removal and control services in Richmond and all surrounding Virginia areas. We serve all of Virginia, including Richmond, Petersburg, Short Pump, Lynchburg, Charlottesville, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Newport News, Virginia Beach, and all of their surrounding districts.

You Might Also Read:

The Ecological Importance of Bats
How to Properly Maintain Bat Houses
The Top Three Signs that You Have Bats in the House

Virginia Bat Removal and Control
Virginia Bat Removal and Control 804-729-9097

Tips for Adding Bat Houses to Your Property

Now that you have made the wonderful decision to add bat houses around your property, your first step is to decide between buying and construction. You can choose to make your own bat house, using several helpful bat house blueprints and templates available online; or, you can choose to simply purchase pre-made bat houses that are specially-designed with the highest standards of safety for bats and the environment. If you do decide to make your own, be sure you follow the guidelines for doing so, as bat houses require several special features and dimensions in order for them to be humane, as well as, safe for the surrounding environment.

Continue reading to learn what else you need to know about installing bat houses on your property, including who to call for 24 hour emergency bat removal service.

Virginia Bat Removal and Control 804-729-9097
Virginia Bat Removal and Control 804-729-9097

When to Install Bat Houses

If you plan on using night-vision cameras to capture beloved bat activity on video footage, you will want to install your bat house once the weather is warm, usually around June or July. Not only is this when bats are more active, it is when their food is more active, like mosquitoes, gnats, flies, moths, and more. If you install bat houses now, you are still doing a great service for the local bat populations in your area, so continue with your plan if you already have one!

Where to Mount Bat Houses

The location of your bat houses is a vital part of ensuring safety and function for you, the bats, and the surrounding environment. Too close to your house can pose nuisance bat risks, while too far can take away from your personal enjoyment. Furthermore, mounting them in improper areas can pose additional risks to the bats, as well as, the surrounding trees and wildlife. So designate an area on the perimeter of your property, preferably near a large body of water, like a creek, river, steam, or pond.

As for actual installation, it is important to never mount bat houses on trees. Not only do branches and foliage make it more challenging for bats to land and take flight, the bat houses do not get enough sunlight, making them too cold for bats. Bat houses need around 6 to 8 hours of sunlight each day. Also, bats are more vulnerable to predators that sit in trees. Instead, they should be mounted on wooden posts, steel poles, pivot poles, or on the sides of buildings. And be sure they are at least 20 to 30 feet from tree branches.

How to Manage Nuisance Bat Problems

Virginia Bat Removal and Control 804-729-9097
Virginia Bat Removal and Control 804-729-9097

Call Virginia Bat Pros at 804-729-9097 for safe and humane bat removal and control assistance in Old Dominion. We serve all of Virginia with 24 hour bat removal, as well as, numerous residential and commercial bat exclusion services, such as bat cleanup and restorations for bat damages. We even provide insurance work! Contact us at 804-729-9097 to request a free estimate, anytime.