Hang a bat house in your garden for friendly mosquito-gobbling bats

Picture of finished Bat House (click to enlarge)

Materials:

16-inch x 19-inch x ¾ inch piece of untreated wood

Saw

Safety glasses

Hammer

Galvanized screws

Nails

Directions:

1.     Cut out and sand the five pieces.

2.     Use four screws to join the front piece to the sides.  These can be removed to clean out the house if necessary

3.     Use the nails to attach the roof, sides, and back

Plans for Bat House Wood Pieces (click to enlarge)

When assembled, the house will slant forward.  The opening for the bats to enter and leave will be underneath the house.

Paint the outside of the house with non-toxic black paint.  Allow to dry.  (the black color helps retain heat).

(Optional) – Decorate the house with a Halloween or bat motif using non-toxic paint.

Hang at a height of 15 feet.