How to Build a Bat House

Excerpted and summarized from The Bat House Builder's Handbook, 1996 Revision

Copyright 1993 by Bat Conservation International, Inc. P.O. Box 162603 - Austin, TX 78716

Please read all directions before beginning
any new woodworking project!

Construction:

1. Measure and mark all wood as per cutting diagrams. Cut out all parts.
2. Cut six pieces of netting 14"x21" and one piece 16"x30". Staple smaller pieces to partitions and larger pieces to inside surfaces of the back. Be sure netting lies flat and does not pucker.
3. Screw back to sides, caulking first. Be sure top angles match.
4. Attach 5" and 10" spacers to inside corners as per drawing.
5. Place a partition on spacers to within one-half inch of roof. Place 20" spacers on partition, screw to first spacers (through partition). do not block side vents.
6. Repeat for remaining partitions and spacers.
7. Screw front to sides, top pieces first (don't forget to caulk). Be sure top angles match (sand if necessary). Leave one-half inch vent space between top and bottom front pieces. A bar clamp may be useful if sides have flared out during construction.
8. Attach roof supports to the top inside of front and back pieces. Be careful that screws do not protrude into roosting chamber.
9. Caulk around all top surfaces, sanding first if necessary to ensure good fit with roof.
10. Screw roof to sides and roof supports. Caulk around outside of roof if needed to seal roosting chamber. Paint exterior at least twice with dark brown or black paint.

Tools

1. Table saw
2. Stapler
3. Tape measure
4. Bar clamp (optional)
5. Scissors
6. Paint Brush
7. Caulking gun
8. Sander
9. Variable speed reversing drill with Phillips bit.

Installation

1. DO NOT hang bat house in tree or shady area. Make sure it receives 6-8 hours of sunlight each day.
2. Mount box at least 12 feet above the ground.
3. Hanging the bat house near a pond or stream may increase your chances of attracting bats to use it.
4. Bats usually will not use a bat house during the winter.
5. Be sure to clean and do maintenance on your bat house each winter.

Materials

• One-half sheet (4'x4') one-half inch cdx (outdoor grade plywood)
• One-half sheet (4'x4') one-half inch cdx (outdoor grade plywood)
• 2 pieces 1"x6"x8' pine or cedar
• One-eighth inch mesh HDPE (plastic) netting 7'x36"
• 1 lb. one and five eighths inch multipurpose (drywall) screws
• 1 quart dark brown or black latex acrylic paint
• 1 tube paintable acrylic caulk
• Five-sixteenth inch staples

Click here to view a printable version of the blueprint for this project.

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