Bats are notorious for eating mosquitos. Something like 1000 an hour or some crazy number like that. We were told not to expect them until spring (if ever), but we figured we should get the box out there for any scouts that show up. Even if they don't show up, it makes a great conversation piece. Anyway, the bats like water (we live near the river)and trees (we have lots of those). We also have a food source...lots and lots of mosquitos. Well, not now of course. They won't show up until the snow is gone.
Once the bats show up, another box is required. When the females have little ones, they kick the males out of the box, who then need somewhere else to go. We will probably build the next one rather than purchase it. The construction looks simple enough.
I'm not particularly fond of bats, but we were told that we most likely will never see them because they sleep during the day and hunt at night. I hope that's right.
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Bats are great at keeping bug populations down and don't usually bother people at all. And at least you'll know they're camping in their nifty new house rather than in your attic ;)
ReplyDeleteI love being outside when the bats come out to hunt for bugs. Have you read Stellaluna? Cute children's book.
ReplyDeleteI haven't heard of a bat house before. We used to have bats that lived in the area where I lived when I was growing up. It was fun watching them dart back and forth on summer evenings.
ReplyDeleteBats freak me out, but it would be worth putting up a house for them if they eat that many mosquitos!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great and environmentally friendly way to get rid of (some) mosquitoes! Hope the bats will find their way to your house.
ReplyDeleteKeep us posted on how it works!!
ReplyDeleteOoh, I hope you don't see them, either...
ReplyDeleteWhen I lived by the river (for thirteen years), two bats got into MY house on two separate occasions. The events were years apart, but they freaked me out!
Great-looking house, though.
Thanks for visiting my blog.
There's a few bats houses under an overpass that a bike trail we use goes under. It's kinda freaky seeing all the bats hanging around.
ReplyDeleteBat houses were actually one of the options my son considered for his Eagle Scout project. I hadn't seen one before. Hopefully you'll have some tenants soon!
ReplyDeleteI am running late this week, but here is mine if you'd like to take a peek: http://myreadersblock.blogspot.com/2011/03/saturday-snapshot-on-sunday.html
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ReplyDeleteThanks for writing.
Thanks for stopping by everyone. So far, the squirrels have been using it as a perch. I'll let you know if and when we get bats.
ReplyDelete