Bat House

Contrary to popular misconceptions, bats are remarkably beneficial creatures; in fact, an individual bat can consume the equivalent of its entire body mass in insects in a single night.

Developed by the Organization for Bat Conservation, this bat house is designed to provide a secure roosting site for the most common North American bat species. The interior is divided into three separate chambers to maximize the amount of wall space for bats to hang on, housing up to an incredible 300 bats, as they prefer to huddle together tightly in narrow spaces for warmth and protection. The walls are covered in a nylon mesh that bats can grasp easily, with the back panel extending 4 1/2" below the chambers to provide a large landing area. The roof is sloped to allow rainwater to run off, and a thin slit in the front wall provides adequate ventilation.

Measuring 23 5/8" × 13 1/2" × 5" overall, the house is durably constructed from nominal 7/8" thick unfinished red cedar, with an exterior-grade plywood backing and galvanized screws for long-term resistance to the elements. Made in USA.

It comes with instructions on placement and mounting, as well as a 32-page booklet, Understanding Bats (softcover, 5 1/4" × 8", 2008) by Kim Williams and Rob Mies. The booklet includes general information on the six most common North American bat species, along with tips for attracting them.