Affordable, ecofriendly, and easy-to-install bat shelter enhances porch security, priced under $50
Bat houses can be an effective solution for preventing bat infestations in homes. To ensure success, it's crucial to place the bat houses correctly.
Firstly, install one or more bat houses between 12 to 20 feet high on buildings or poles that predators find difficult to climb. Position them to face southeast to southwest exposure, capturing 6-8 hours of morning sunlight. This arrangement helps maintain temperatures inside the bat houses between 80-100°F, providing comfort for the bats and enabling pup rearing.
It's also beneficial to place the bat houses within a quarter mile of a reliable water source and maintain clear flight paths with at least 10-20 feet clearance around entry points, avoiding nearby overhanging branches and loud noise or vibrations.
For optimal results, consider installing multiple bat houses with differing sun exposure, allowing bats to shift roosts based on temperature changes. Additionally, avoid mounting bat houses on trees, as shade and predation risks reduce occupancy.
To physically prevent bats from entering your home, inspect and seal all possible entry points carefully with durable materials like caulk or wire mesh, especially during the day when bats are out. Trim nearby trees and bushes to eliminate roosting spots near the house and reduce insect attractants.
Avoid placing bat houses near bright backyard lighting or in noisy, frequently vibrating areas, as these conditions deter bats. The large bat house with a two-chamber design is ideal for providing a roosting area for bats.
Using bat houses encourages bats to roost in the provided houses instead of your home, promoting natural pest control by bats feeding on local insects without the nuisance of indoor infestation. Bat houses need to be precisely placed to keep bats healthy, as improper placement can lead to overheating and heat stress.
If no bats have started to use the bat house after two years, it might be worth relocating it. It's essential to consult a professional for help in getting rid of bats in an attic or porch, due to legislative red tape.
Craig, an Associate Certified Entomologist with 23 years of professional pest management experience, holds licenses in eight pest control categories in four states and has been the Service Director for Viking since 2020. Ed, with 12 years of experience in the pest management industry, advises that finding bats inside your home requires contacting a pest control professional.
Bat cones can be used to humanely remove bats from an attic. Insulating foam expands on application to fill gaps up to one inch in size, preventing bats from nesting in attics and porch roofs. The bat house kit comes with stainless steel hardware for easy installation.
Having bats in the yard is a sign of a healthy ecosystem, as they feed on a variety of insects, including mosquitoes and flying beetles. A bat house can be used to prevent bats from making their homes in porches and attics, making it a win-win for homeowners and the environment.
Maintaining a bat house in the yard can complement a home-and-garden lifestyle, as it encourages outdoor-living by providing a roosting area for bats, promoting natural insect control. The location of the bat house should be strategic, positioned within a quarter mile of a reliable water source, with clear flight paths and avoiding nearby overhanging branches, bright backyard lighting, and noisy or vibrating areas.
To ensure the bat house is effective in preventing bat infestations in homes, it's crucial to position it on buildings or poles, at heights between 12 to 20 feet, facing southeast to southwest for 6-8 hours of morning sunlight, and with multiple bat houses offering differing sun exposure. Proper placement can help maintain temperatures inside the bat houses between 80-100°F, providing comfort for the bats and enabling pup rearing.
