Early Spring is the optimal time to purchase and install a bat house. Ideally, you want to install a bat house before bats begin brooding their young. That is mid to late June in the Rocky Mountains, but April and May in most of the country. While bats may live year round in warm climates, many species migrate to northern climates in the spring in order to raise their young. If your bat house is installed before they arrive, they will likely find it. If you install after they arrive, they most likely will not relocate to your bat house and you will be “batless” until the following year.
Locating a bat house is the most important factor to success. It should be installed 8 to 20 feet off the ground in a quiet spot which gets plenty of radiant heat without getting baked by direct sunlight. Under the eaves of a building is about as ideal as it gets. Southern exposures are fine if in the shade during the heat of the day. Never place in a north facing exposure as this will be too cool for the bats to raise their young. Also, never install in a tree as may people are inclined to do. Remember, bats live in rock crevices and solid structures. A tree blowing in the wind is far too unstable for a bat to feel comfortable.
The Sacred Resource bat house has been carefully designed to provide bats an ideal home. It will house up to 20 bats. The back and landing board are left heavily textured so bats can cling to it. The 3/4” opening is wide enough for bats, but too small for wasps to build a nest in. The roof is angled to shed rain and the outside is finished with exterior varnish to last many years. Included hardware and instructions make it very easy to install. Best of all, it is made of beetle kill pine, so it’s as beautiful to look at as it is practical!
