1. Bat Houses for Habitat Gardens
Photo: Matt via flickr

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

3. 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

4. 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

5. Basic Requirements
Taller and wider is better but at least 2 feet tall, around 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

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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. Don’t forget the Habitat!
Photo: Plant4Wildlife