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Be a Creature Hero to Bats!
   
Bats are GREAT! They’re fun to watch while they zip around and catch mosquitos and other bugs. One little brown bat can cat hundreds of mosquitos in just one hour!!

Bats are important too. They make sure there aren't too many insects. With bats around, people don't have to use as many pesticides on their crops!

But bats need our help. Their numbers are decreasing. So let's make homes for bats! Let's build a Bat House for our bat buddies.

So grab your mom, dad, or another adult that you know and let’s get started!

   
 
Here is what you will need:
 Some tools you will need:
(the adult that is helping you can help get this stuff)

-¼ sheet (2’ x 4’) ½ " cdx (outdoor grade) plywood
-1 piece 1" x 2" (0.75" x 1.75" finished) x 8’ pine (furring strip)
-1 piece 1" x 3" x 28" pine
-1/8" mesh HDPE (plastic) netting, 20" x 22.5"
-20-30 1¼" exterior grade or coated deck screws
-1 pint latex acrylic paint
-1 tube paintable acrylic caulk
-5/16" staples

(make sure you use these tools with an adult)

-handsaw or tablesaw
-drill
-Phillips bit for drill
-yardstick or tape measure
-hammer
How to build it:  
(Read the TIPS below before you start)

1- First, measure and cut the plywood into three pieces (see 2nd TIP below):
26.5" x 24" 16.5" x 24" 5" x 24"

2- Measure and cut the furring into one 24" and two 20¼" pieces.

3- Take the largest piece of plywood (this will be the back of the bat house) and screw the 24" piece of furring along the top edge of the 24" side of the plywood (See diagrams). Make sure you caulk it first.

4- Then caulk and screw the two shorter pieces of furring along the sides of the bat house back (See diagrams)

5- Staple the netting to the inside surface of the back, starting at the bottom. Be sure netting lies flat and does not pucker. You can use a hammer to put the staples in. The netting gives the bats a rough surface to climb and hang on!

6- Screw the last two pieces of plywood to the furring (these will be the front of the bat house). The larger piece of plywood goes on the top. The smaller piece goes on the bottom. Leave a ½" vent space between top and bottom front pieces. (See 2nd TIP below) Don’t forget to caulk before you screw the pieces down!

7- Caulk around outside of joints if needed to seal roosting chamber. This will make sure the bats stay warm and cozy in their home!

8- Attach the 3" x 28" board to the top of the box as a roof!
Paint the outside of the box at least two times. Make sure you give the paint time to dry between each coat of paint!
You’re done! Great Job!!!

   
Tips  
- It’s very important to caulk and paint the bat houses so it’s airtight and watertight.
- If you live in a cold climate, your bat house shouldn’t have a ventilation space in the front. Use a single piece of plywood that is 23" long intead of the two smaller pieces.
- If you live in a cold climate, your bat house should be painted black or another dark color. This will help keep the bats warmer!
- If you live in a warm climate, you bat house should be painted a light color. This will help your bats keep cool!

You're ready to hang up the Bat Home!		  
  Where should you hang it? Well, try to hang it in a place that is…

- 15-20 feet high on a building or a pole.
- at least 20-25 feet away from the nearest trees/forest.
- located near rivers, lakes, or ponds.
- located near a field or farm.

You don’t have to do all these things. But scientists have found out that the more of these things you do, the more likely bat will come to live in your bat house!

Great Job, Creature Heroes!!! Now just keep an eye on your bat box to see if any bats start living there. Good luck!

Thanks to Bat Conservation International for supplying the Bat House plans. If you want to know more about bats or bat houses check out their website at www.batcon.org
 
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