Whilst winter is a great time to put up a bat box, as these nocturnal creatures begin their long hibernation, any time of year is a good time to give these endangered species a helping hand.
There are plenty of myths about bats, which is why some people find them off-putting. In fact, bats aren’t ugly or dirty - they groom just like cats and most of them have really cute faces. They won’t ever get tangled in your hair - their incredible echolocation system is thousands of times more efficient than man-made sonar. So if you think a bat is swooping towards you at night, he’s probably just after that pesky mosquito!
Bats play a crucial role around the world as pest controllers, reforesters and pollinators - thanks to bats we have cocoa beans, so putting up a bat box is a nice way to say thanks for that chocolate bar! Introducing bats to your garden is a great way of getting rid of unwanted nasties and producing a great crop of fruit and veg.
Many bats around the world are sadly now in danger, thanks to the destruction of their habitats, disease and hunting. By putting up a bat box you can give them a safe place to roost and raise their pups in peace.
Our bat box is generously sized, with a bat ladder and interior grooving to allow the bats to roost. Made from pinewood, the roof has been dip treated with water based non-toxic brown wood stain. The opening will allow bats to enter without allowing a predator to gain access.
You’ll need to hang your bat box, with the hanging holes provided, high up in a sunny position. Try and place the box as close to the eaves as possible - bats like to use a tree line for navigation. Make sure there’s plenty of food and water around. Bats hate being disturbed by draughts and noise, so anywhere that’s windy or near a noisy road is a definite no-no.
Now be prepared to be patient. Bats take their time to find a new home, so it may be several months before you hear them chittering away inside your bat box. Also, you’re more likely to attract bats if there are several roosting nearby, so why not hang a few boxes and start your own bat colony?
Once you’re certain bats are roosting - you may see urine stains on your box or see bat droppings - why not log your bat sightings on the Big Bat Map, organised by The Bat Conservation Trust? It’s fun to try and snap the furry critters in flight and helps bat conservationists know where bats are thriving.
So if you're prepared to get batty about bats, why not hang a bat box today and bring some biodiversity into your garden?