How To Attract Bats To A Bat House

If you’re looking for a natural way to control mosquitoes, moths, and other flying insects in your garden, learning how to attract bats to a bat house is a brilliant solution. A single bat can eat thousands of pests each night, providing free and effective pest control.

Welcoming these nocturnal allies is easier than you might think. It’s all about providing the right real estate and environment. With a few simple steps, you can encourage a colony to take up residence and help balance your local ecosystem.

Success starts with understanding what bats need: a safe, warm, and stable home. Simply putting up any box won’t guarantee visitors. You need to be strategic about the house itself, its placement, and the surrounding habitat.

Choose the Right Bat House Design

Not all bat houses are created equal. Bats have specific preferences for their roosting spots. A well-designed house significantly increases your chances of attracting tenants.

Chamber Size: Opt for houses with at least two chambers. These provide more temperature gradients, allowing bats to move to their preferred warmth.
Interior Texture: The inside must be rough for bats to cling to. Look for houses with durable plastic mesh or deeply grooved, untreated wood. Smooth surfaces are unusable.
Roosting Space: The house should have a 3/4-inch to 1-inch roosting space (the gap between the back and front panels). This gives bats just enough room to squeeze in.
Color & Material: Use exterior-grade, untreated wood like cedar or plywood. In cooler climates (average July highs below 85°F), paint the house black or dark brown to absorb heat. In hot climates (over 100°F), use light colors.
A Landing Pad: Ensure the house has an extended, roughened landing area below the entrance. This gives bats a place to crawl up into the box.

Install Your Bat House Correctly

Placement is arguably the most critical factor. A perfect house in the wrong location will remain empty. Follow these guidelines closely.

Height is Key: Mount the house 15 to 20 feet high on a pole or the side of a building. Tree mounts are less ideal due to shade, predators, and excessive movement.
Face the Sun: In most regions, your bat house should receive at least 6-8 hours of direct morning sun. Face it south, southeast, or east to catch the sun’s warmth.
Keep it Open: Place the house away from tree branches, wires, or walls that could obstruct the entrance. Bats need a clear flight path in and out.
Proximity to Water: Installing within 1/4 mile of a permanent water source—like a pond, lake, or river—dramatically increases attractiveness. Bats need to drink nightly.

Create a Bat-Friendly Habitat

Bats choose homes based on the surrounding resources. Make your yard a supportive environment for them to thrive.

Reduce Light Pollution: Avoid installing bright lights near the bat house. Bats prefer dark, quiet areas and artificial light can deter them.
Plant Night-Scented Flowers: Gardens that attract night-flying insects, like moths, provide a feeding buffet. Plant evening primrose, moonflower, nicotiana, and phlox.
Provide Water: If you don’t live near a natural source, consider adding a birdbath or small garden pond. Ensure it has a shallow edge for safe drinking.
Limit Pesticide Use: This is crucial. Chemical insecticides reduce the bats’ food supply and can poison the bats themselves. Let them be your primary pest control.

When Will Bats Move In?

Patience is essential. It can take one to three years for bats to find and occupy a new house. They are cautious creatures. If your house is still empty after two seasons, don’t give up—re-evaluate the placement and design.

Signs of occupancy include small, rice-grain-sized droppings (guano) beneath the house, oily stains near the entrance from their fur, and of course, seeing bats emerging at dusk.

Maintaining Your Bat House

Once bats move in, minimal maintenance is needed, but it’s important. Never disturb an occupied house during the day or during the maternity season (spring through summer).

Check the house in late winter, before bats return from migration or hibernation, for any needed repairs.
Ensure it remains securely mounted and hasn’t been taken over by wasps. If wasps build a nest, carefully remove it in the winter when it’s empty.
There’s usually no need to clean the interior; bats manage it themselves.

Important Safety Considerations

Bats are wild animals and should be respected. In many places, bats are protected by law, and disturbing them is illegal.

Never handle a bat with your bare hands. If you need to remove one from your living space, contact a wildlife professional.
Teach children to observe bats from a distance. They are fascinating to watch as they flit acrobatically through the twilight sky.
If a bat is grounded or acting strangely during the day, it may be ill. Do not approach it; call animal control.

By providing a proper home and a supportive habitat, you’re not just getting natural pest control. You’re contributing to the conservation of these incredible, often misunderstood mammals who’s populations face many threats. It’s a rewarding project for any gardener.

FAQ: Attracting Bats for Pest Control

What time of year should I put up a bat house?
You can install it any time, but late winter or early spring is ideal. This gives bats time to find it before the summer maternity season.

How many bats might live in my bat house?
It varies by species and house size. A well-placed multi-chamber house can attract a colony of 50 to 100 bats or more, especially over time.

Will bats get into my attic?
Properly installed bat houses provide an alternative to your attic. By offering a better, warmer home, you deter them from seeking shelter in your buildings.

Are bat droppings (guano) dangerous?
Guano is an excellent garden fertilizer. While it can harbor a fungus that causes respiratory issues if inhaled in large quantities (like in a massive cave), the small amount under a bat house poses little risk. Wear a mask if you choose to sweep it up.

What if I only see bats sometimes?
Bats may use houses as night roosts for feeding breaks or as temporary homes during migration. Seasonal use is still a sign of success and provides you with pest control benefits.

Do bats really eat that many mosquitoes?
Yes! While their diet consists of many insects, studies show mosquitoes can be a significant part of it. A colony can make a noticeable difference in your backyard bug population.