Bat houses

[snowmm]

Does anyone have a bat house they no longer want? The mosquitoes are so thick in my yard and my house that my brother has suggested a bat house. So, if you have one you want to get rid of let me know and we'll make a deal.

[zuzu's petals]

I don't have one to offer, but how handy are you?

Hubby built ours using these plans:
http://mdc.mo.gov/nathis/woodwork/ww15/

No bats have moved in yet, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed,
we can see them flitting around overhead every evening.

[snowmm]

I pretty handy with the tools that are needed for this project...I was just being lazy. BUT maybe I can get my son to make me one...for Mother's Day...a little late.

Another question, where did you mount it?

[zuzu's petals]

We mounted ours just under the eaves at the south end of our house.
It meets the criterion for height and sun - but still no takers ...
I've been wondering if we'd have better luck in a different location.

[snowmm]

and then I thought...what do I do if they start roosting in the chimney but it would be the best place for it.

Well, I guess I'd better get busy getting it made...or it will be too late for this year...or is it already too late?

[jmckemie]

I'm new to this site--hope you don't mind my jumping in...

I have TONS of mosquitoes and love this idea!! Is it too late?

Thanks.
Jen

[zuzu's petals]

Hi Jen, Welcome to the Plant Swap famly!
Very glad you jumped right in, please continue to do so.

This is what I've read about optimum timing for setting up a bat house;
apparently, early in the year - before April - is the best,
but many houses are not occupied until the second season,
so it would still be a good idea to get them up ASAP.

The location of the house is quite important,
and if (like mine ) the house remains unused after a couple of seasons,
relocating it is probably going to be my best bet,
heaven knows it's not a lack of food for them,
I was already slapping away at skeeters like a mad woman yesterday!


I thought that the place where we hung our house,
which has a southern exposure, would be satisfactory in terms of getting enough sun,
but maybe our eaves are just too deep and shade the house a bit too much to please the bats,
it seems that the babies need a good deal of warmth.

[snowmm]

Okay, looks like I have my next rainy day project. Hope I have the right wood in the work room. That would be awesome...not to have to buy anything. But the best thing would be for the bats to come a roosting.

[jmckemie]

If its not obvious by my first posts, I'm relatively new to gardening. I have a little "surface knowledge" and a few favorite plants, but that's about it, so I REALLY APPRECIATE everybody's kindness!!

Looks like I may have missed this years bat babies, but I'll get one up and cross my fingers for next year.

Thanks again!
Jen

[Pushin-up-Daisies]

Great to have ya be with us, loads of advice & fun. enjoy

[gardeningmom]

Welcome Jmckemie! I think you will enjoy everyone here, they are terrific.

[jmckemie]

Thanks for the welcome! I'm really enjoying reading everything. I feel so motivated!!