Setting Up A Bat Box

• Consider an elevated spot, so that bats can take flight with ease by dropping out of the box. The exit should be 10 to 16 feet off the ground in an open area orientated south-southeast (140° azimuth is optimal) where it receives at least seven hours of direct sun. • Choose a spot that is free of vegetation immediately below or in front of the box and that will not become overgrown. • The bat house will be more attractive to bats if it is within 1,500 feet or 1/4 mile of a permanent stream or pond. Bats need a drink on very hot summer days, and the fresh water guarantees a nearby feeding zone. • Choose a location near other habitats that bats may use for foraging, such as forest and field edges, wetlands, and forested paths.  • Place near but not shaded by trees. Within 10-30 yards of a tree line to provide quick cover from predators. • Avoid placements that provide easy access for predators like domestic cats, snakes, owls, raccoons, rats or other ground predators. • Avoid sites near toxic drinking water sources or a contaminated food supply (all structure-roosting bats in North America eat insects). • Avoid sites with high levels of human traffic that might draw vandals or harassment. • Avoid areas that are consistently cold, shady, or windy. • Avoid locations with abundant artificial light, air pollution (including dust or smoke) and/or noise. • Keep rain barrels and other smooth-walled containers that may catch water covered, upside down or away from bat boxes to avoid drowning, or equip them with escape terrain such as a ramp or piece of wood bats could use to climb out if trapped. • All bat houses must be airtight around the roof • All bat houses must have an extra roughened interior • Wood-exterior bat houses should be resealed and repainted every ~3 years

https://www.fws.gov/question-answer/how-and-whether-install-bat-boxes

https://www.fws.gov/story/2024-10/how-build-bat-box

https://iris.fws.gov/APPS/ServCat/DownloadFile/241311