Wintertime is almost here, which means that many local species of wildlife, like bats, are looking for suitable shelter to keep them safe and warm until spring season is here once again. One way home and property owners mitigate nuisance bat infestations and structural tampering this time of year is to provide bats a shelter far away from their home or building. These custom shelters are known as bat houses, and they can be extremely advantageous to both bats and property owners.
Continue reading to learn some helpful tips for adding a bat house to your property, including what to do if bats turn into a nuisance you can no longer control on your own.
Bat House Facts and Advice
If you actually want to attract bats to your property, you are not alone. Bats play a vital role in our surrounding Eco-systems and provide excellent pest control for our backyards. Did you know a bat can consume an average of 1,200 insects in just one hour? In fact, they can consume their body weight in insects every single night! Now try finding a citronella candle that can eliminate that many mosquitos!
So, attracting bats to your property is a great advantage, so long as you have a large enough yard that is suitable for bat activity. One of the safest and most humane methods of attracting bats are the use of bat houses. These are similar to bird houses; except they are meant for a large quantity of upside down roosting bats.
How to Install Bat Houses
►THINK BIG
The first thing you should know about bat houses is that they should be big. Compared to a standard bird house, a bat house should be at least 3 times the size. That is because bats are not loners; they are always present in a colony. The suggested dimensions vary depending on various factors, but overall, it is important for them to be at least 20 inches tall, 16 inches wide, and retain a 3 to 6 inch landing area. Furthermore, you will get better results if you install more than one house. Bats respond better to houses of two or three grouped together.
► LOCATION IS KEY
Another important tip has to do with location. You do not want to install a bat house too close to your own because you can risk finding them inside your house instead of theirs. If this happens, simply contact a local wildlife rescue and control company for emergency bat removal service.
► PLACE IT FAR AWAY
Try installing your bat house at the perimeter of your property, preferably near a water source. If this is located near someone else’s property, it is not recommended. Otherwise, your neighbors could end up with bats in the house. Instead, mount them on sheds or large wooden or concrete structures. Avoid mounting them on poles, or worse, trees.
► CONSIDER YOUR PETS
If you have cats that like to wander around outdoors, you will not see a lot of bats on your property. If you want good results with your houses, keep your precious, four-legged friends indoors once the sun sets. Peak watching times may vary, but you will get the best views between the hours of sunset and complete darkness.
Are the bats in your community becoming too much of a nuisance and you need some professional assistance? Contact us at 317-257-2290 for professional and prompt Indianapolis IN bat removal services you can trust. We serve residential and commercial clients.
Related Posts:
Where to Get Fall and Winter Bat-Proofing Service in Central Indiana
Nuisance Bat Control in 3 Steps or Less
Top 3 Reasons Why Bats are Ecologically Important
