Bat House Forum

[CHobby]

DO NOT USE PRESSURE TREATED PLYWOOD! It has formaldehyde which bats don't like.

[Joe Spencer]

Did you get the Bat House Builder's Handbook to assist you?  Greatest and latest bat preferences and findings are within it. Have you considered a rocket bat house design?  Over the years I have seen so many people that are reluctant to put a bat house on their home or building but are far more receptive to using a post or pole which is ideal for a rocket bat house. (recommend dual or multi chambered rocket design.  Nursery bat houses have also had success on poles and posts as well but don't look as good to the discernable folk.  Many options.....:thumbsup1: 

[LarryH]

I found this site with some good plans for a rocket-style bat house: http://www.wildaboutgardening.org/en/features/section1/bathouse/bathouse.htm#1

This looks like a good design, and I was wondering if others had tried it.  Would this be a good house to recommend to pople that want to put up a rocket-style house?

 

 

[Joe Spencer]

Yes this is a good design however, I personally like the Dual or multi-chamber rocket style that fits over a 4x4 post.  I found it quicker to build and additionally it has more roosting space because it is wider than the metal pole design.  Another thing to consider is that the pole bat houses sway a little more in the wind than do post bat houses.  The larger the post the less swaying and the greater the heat retention as well since much of it is stored in the wood and gradually released.  I like the cavity also that a rocket bat house on a wooden post can enable on a 4x4 or 6x6 post.  You can just fill it with sand or small stones (placing them in something which can be lifted out if necessary).  Don't worry about the weight if latter is designed in multiple slipover pieces.  Each one is easily handled up on a ladder to be placed over the preceding piece.  Was amazingly easy for me with a small ladder and does not require a pivot post though I put one on this anyway:  http://www.batnic.org/forum/forum5/134.html  :calmhappy:

[CHobby]

Yes I checked it out and I have already gotten the designs from it. I was going to start working on it sooner but we left to go to Ohio to see family so I won't be starting till I get back, On Aug 3rd. I have recieved generous donations from Home Depot, and a man named Ric Bennett is letting me use his construction equipment and scraps to build and place the houses. Everything is going well and I will definitely finish before my 18th birthday, in November

 

[LarryH]

That is great to hear!   Reminds me so much of when my son and 2 of his friends were working on their Eagle projects.

It is good that you are getting community support for the project.