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Bats…

ThirtyWest| Posted inGeneral Questionson

I’ve had a couple of bats roosting under some exterior trim. I don’t want them hurt, and yes I know they’re protected. So I had a couple of questions that are more specific that I couldn’t find in a typical google search…

If I build a bat house and they do colonize it, will they still use my house as overflow parking? I would plan to keep it a ways from my house, But I’m guessing not too far?…

Also, if a group of bats move into an area, will they then be they occupiers of a certain radius? Probably food in good supply? I understand they are very territorial, and however one well behaved group of bats living in a house across my yard would be pretty cool. I don’t want to invite all of their relatives too.

Thanks in advance.

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Replies

  1. Expert Member
    Zephyr7||#1

    I don’t know how big of an area they cover, but if you put a house they like in a spot they like (up high and hot), they’ll probably prefer the house. You’ll still want to seal up your house though to avoid them coming back in, especially in the winter. I’ve found bats in my attic before when it’s cold outside, and that didn’t stop until I found where they were getting in and sealed it.

    These little guys are good to have around. They feast on mosquitos.

    Bill

  2. ThirtyWest||#2

    Thanks Bill! Yes, absolutely good to have around. they can't get in where they are, its at the bottom of my rain screen on the back side of the house and I understand that they don't gnaw. I was surprised at how much they do hiss though

    1. Expert Member
      Zephyr7||#3

      They have surprisingly large and pointy teeth for their size too, and they’ll show them to you if you have to move them out. They’re not mean or aggressive little creatures though, but be careful and wear gloves if you have to work where you know you might run into them.

      Bill

  3. ThirtyWest||#4

    I actually didn't know what it was at first so I reached gently under the trim with a small plastic rake. It popped out and gave the rake a good bite! glad it wasn't my hand.

  4. Cory Holliday||#5

    Hey all. I’m a bat and cave biologist and am finally answering a question rather than asking. We deal with this sort of thing all the time here in TN. We even supply bat houses for folks to put up. In short, we generally recommend putting up a bat house, rocket box, or similar, and repairing/excluding the bats after they’re gone in the fall. Right now is a vulnerable time for bats as the pups are just beginning to fly and gain some independence. North American bats need all the help we can give them right now. Even if colonization of your bat house is successful, they will likely still use your house if left as is. They love a variety of microclimates. That’s why I have several bat houses in different conditions.

    Bats are both territorial and very social, often forming social and family groups. Good roosts do tend to grow over time, but there is some species dependence there.

    This info from BCI is a bit dated, but generally very good:https://www.batcon.org/pdfs/education/fof_ug.pdf

    Best of luck with it.

    Cory

    1. GBA Editor
      Martin Holladay||#6

      Cory,
      Thanks! Your expert advice is an example of why I love the GBA community, which almost always rises to the occasion. Our community includes lots of experts with diverse backgrounds -- like you. Again, thanks.

    2. ThirtyWest||#7

      Thanks Cory! Appreciate all the Info!

  5. Cory Holliday||#8

    I should have also mentioned that a great resource for bat houses can be found here:
    http://www.batcon.org/pdfs/Bat%20House%20Builders%20Handbook.pdf

    And don't forget, more bats = less bugs.

    Cory

  6. David Argilla||#9

    We have bats living under wall shingles. I never see them, but I see the bat poop. Funny enough, the previous owner installed a bat house, but the bats never seem to have moved in. Birds are nesting in it now. Thinking I should build a bat house made of shingles, and cover my walls with bat houses.

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