Here’s What to Know Before Installing a Bat Box

Bats may not be everyone's favorite backyard visitors, but they're some of nature's hardest workers.

A single bat can eat thousands of insects in one night, making them an important part of Indiana's ecosystem. With more than half of North America's bat species now considered in need of conservation, many homeowners are looking for ways to help.

One popular idea is installing a bat box.

But according to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, bat boxes aren't always the best solution.

Before you grab your tools, here's what experts want you to know.

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Protect Natural Bat Habitat First

If bats are already living naturally in your area, experts say the best thing you can do is leave their habitat alone.

Old, mature trees and even standing dead trees provide ideal natural roosting sites for bats. Whenever it's safe to do so, preserving those trees is more beneficial than installing an artificial bat house.

Bat boxes are most helpful when:

• Natural roosting habitat is limited.
• Bats have been excluded from buildings.
• Urban development has reduced available habitat.

In those situations, bat boxes can provide safe places for female bats to raise their young.

Not All Bat Boxes Are Created Equal

If you've searched online for bat house plans, you've probably seen dozens of different designs.

Unfortunately, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service says many of them aren't suitable.

Experts recommend avoiding:

• Small bat houses about the size of a birdhouse.
• Single-chamber bat boxes.

Instead, they recommend installing multi-chamber maternity bat boxes that are taller than they are wide and include ventilation.

Those extra chambers create different temperature zones, allowing bats to move around as outside temperatures change.

Where You Put It Matters

A well-built bat box still won't work if it's installed in the wrong place.

According to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, bat boxes should be:

• Mounted 10 to 16 feet above the ground.
• Installed where bats have a clear flight path.
• Located near forests, wetlands, or field edges where bats feed.
• Placed away from heavy artificial lighting and constant human activity.

Experts also recommend avoiding locations where predators like cats, raccoons, snakes, or owls can easily reach the box.

Watch for Signs of Heat Stress

One of the biggest concerns with bat boxes is overheating.

Because bats depend on carefully regulated temperatures while raising their pups, a box that gets too hot can become dangerous.

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service says warning signs include:

• Bats hanging out of the bottom of the box.
• Bats fanning their wings during the day.
• Bats flying during daylight hours.
• Baby bats falling from the box.

If you notice those behaviors, experts recommend temporarily shading the box and contacting a licensed wildlife rehabilitator if pups have fallen.

Bat Boxes Require Maintenance

Installing a bat box isn't a one-and-done project.

Experts recommend checking it at least once each year for:

• Loose caulking.
• Peeling exterior paint.
• Abandoned wasp nests.
• General wear and weather damage.

The interior should only be cleaned when the box is unoccupied, typically during the winter months.

Never Handle a Bat

Even if you're trying to help, never touch a bat with your bare hands.

If you must move one, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service recommends wearing heavy leather gloves and following proper wildlife handling guidance.

If you discover a bat that appears injured or orphaned, contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator instead of attempting to care for it yourself.

If you're lucky enough to have bats around your property, you can also help Indiana researchers by reporting bat roosts through the Indiana Department of Natural Resources' Summer Bat Roost Monitoring Project. The information helps biologists monitor Indiana's 12 bat species and better understand where bats are living across the state.