Bat Houses for Habitat Gardens Photo: Matt via flickr

Bats are important pollinators for over 300 plant species Banana Guava Mango Agave Giant saguaro cacti Photo: USDA via flickr

Enlist this effective ecological service-provider to help patrol your property. 50 species of bats in North America. Most are insectivorous. One bat feeds on thousands of flying bugs every night! Saves $Billions in Eco-services. Photo: TNC

Bat Houses mimics places in the natural environment offers a safe place from predators provides the perfect temperature and humidity maternity colonies with hundreds of females raising young together Photo: WI DNR via flickr

Basic Requirements Taller and wider is better but at least 2 feet tall, around 12-14 inches wide. Include a slanted roof to keep wet weather out. Small vents in the exterior to help moderate temperatures and provide fresh air. Interior chambers should be at least 20 inches tall and as wide as the house. ¾ to 1-inch spacing between the chambers. Panels separating the chambers will need to be scored for grip. Include a rough landing pad at the bottom. Photo: Yaquina via flickr

Photo: Yaquina via flickr Photo: Ben Dunham via flickr Photo: anneheathen via flickr

Pup Catcher Maternity roosts can get crowded and overheated. Young pups and mothers, become weak and can fall out. Use a strip of plastic mesh to create a four-inch pocket at the end of a 24-inch length. Be sure the width is the same as the bat house and attach the top edge to the bottom of the landing pad.   Secure the pocket end to the post and make sure it will stay open. Photo: Jacob Johnston

Painting by number. Colors based on average daily high temperatures in July. Below 85F degrees: black or dark paint. 85F-95F degree average highs: dark to medium shades. 95F- 100F degrees: medium to light shades of color. 100F degrees plus, such as in the Southwest, bat houses should only be painted white.  Photo: Bat Con International

Placing your Bat House The placement will play a major role determining the internal temperature. In cold climates mount in an area that gets 6-8 hours of direct sun. Warmer climates face north or west to avoid becoming too hot.  Single chambered houses should be mounted against a wall. 15 feet above the ground on a post or side of building. consider putting up more than one bat house in different locations Photo: Let Ideas Compete via flickr

Don’t forget the Habitat! Photo: Plant4Wildlife