FAQ How can I attract bats? Can I attract bats?

[@nelson3495]

Place a spot light with a bat logo. It’s how I got mine! 🤣

[@TheRock-22]

I did the same LOL with a Batman logo

[@stelioskoukli]

I believe you attracted Batman 💀

[@M80T]

That’s funny!

[@Overlordnim]

im about to put up my first Bat House here soon, as well as doing new land scaping to add low trees, flowers, and bushes to my yard. Im hoping to have bats next spring/summer, there are bats common to the area i live, i often seen them in the late dusk and night, and we have tons of bugs, as well as several spots of water within a mile. I like bats, like anything else, to me like birds, or butterflies, they should be a welcomed garden resident for sure!

[@h4bats]

Absolutely! Thanks for loving bats!

[@davidschmidt270]

Well thank you kindly Sir...I appreciate your honesty and insight

[@futurecaredesign]

I like your honesty. Subscribed.

[@rockcollin1580]

Same here

[@mediclomania5147]

Amazing work as usual!

[@Okuninushi-p1e]

Thanks for info.. :) how about letting people know where to put house and ideal location....distance from trees or structures....direction facing sun...etc

[@h4bats]

We have many videos and FAQ videos that discuss that topic as well. Thanks for watching!

[@trixiedelight9874]

Excellent. Thank you. I just put up my 1st house ❤ we'll see what happens!

[@TCMnewz]

I put up two houses close to a pond, where o see bats flying. So far, after a month. Empty. They like my barn though, about a hundred yards away. I’ll keep trying. Thx for the video.

[@h4bats]

Make sure they get morning sun and are painted a good shade of color so they don't get too hot or don't stay too cold. Bats like the temps between 85 and 100 degrees. Also, the bats you see flying around may be a species that don't use bat houses. That doesn't mean a species that will is not around though.

[@Imokanurnot]

I'm so glad I found your channel. We will be putting up at least one bat house on the back acre of our lot, I'm seeing so much wonderful information here, and I will be binge watching your play list , as I know I have a ton of research to do about building, placing, and putting up bat houses, and I want to make sure my little "tenants" have the best accommodations as well as amenities I can provide. I've recently come to realize just how misunderstood these amazing little creatures are, and how endangered (mostly by man) they have become, so I want to help as much as I can.

[@h4bats]

Thanks for loving bats!

[@toddvarner1070]

Thanks for the info. I have my bat houses in the edge of a pond facing south. Hope to get bats soon.

[@h4bats]

Thanks for loving bats!

[@MattLotter]

Love the honest information , thanks man!

[@h4bats]

You are welcome and thanks for loving bats!

[@DRJMF1]

How about using a UV floodlight beside a mature hedge to attract lots of food e.g. moths etc which the bats then feed upon ? I noticed they come close to my house at night when the lights are switched on because they eat the moths (which are attracted to light). So, really you can attract bats.

[@h4bats]

I'm not sure a UV floodlight makes sense, when you say that I think of UVC lights, never a good idea in an open area. Any normal floodlight will attract bugs and if you have bugs it will increase the likelihood bats will avail themselves of the free buffet. Thanks for loving bats!

[@rockcollin1580]

Right on, man.

[@yvonnemarshall7416]

Hello just found you on you tube I love Bats ,The house we brought had Bats I was so happy after 3 years we noticed this summer 2022 There was not the same amount of Bats ,Which have always been in our loft .please if you can help Yvonne mullion Cornwall England

[@h4bats]

Bats face many dangers in the wild and without research, there is no real way to understand why the bat population suddenly dropped. It could be the colony is simply "late" on their journey this year. It could be a mortality event (but let's hope not). It could also be the weather changing their migration pattern. If it is hotter or colder than normal, it can affect how they behave and where they stop and for how long. I'm not sure how I can help other than to say make sure the roost area you want them to use is still available, accessible and has not been altered in some way to prevent them entry and safety.

[@yvonnemarshall7416]

@@h4bats Thank you so very much for your reply and advice Good news is There back it's just wonderful to see them coming out at night . Also we have a larger light brown Bat that flys out over our lake in day light he turns his head and looks at me as he flys happily by then flys back a while later up into our woods my guess is he lives in a tree . Its absluteley wonderful has larg ears ,He has been around passed 5 years . Thank you I appreciate your advice and contact it's great to be in touch with another person who loves Bats as I do . Best wishes Yvonne Marshall

[@patrickmortenson4266]

Is it best to leave the outside of the bat house untreated? If you coat it with polyurethane to protect it from the weather, with the scent dissuade bats even after it's cured?

[@h4bats]

We recommend a high quality water based latex paint. It will cure fairly quickly and not cause significant issues for the bats. Inside we recommend leaving the wood surface raw, only paint into the opening of the bat house a few inches to help protect it from the weather. Thanks for loving bats!

[@emi3799]

I just discovered that my house in Florida has a colony of bats 🦇, exterminator says it’s probably about 200 of them but I think he may be exaggerating. I am planning to buy a bat evacuator from Amazon to get them out. I am thinking of getting a bat house for them to relocate. What do you think is the best approach to handle this. Do bats cause damage to homes?

[@TimberWeller]

Where in Florida? We are in Daytona and would love to have them.

[@seagull01-cp8pb]

I am from Australia. I am a trained bat rescuer. I often rescue them from canvas umbrellas. I have acquired a second hand umbrella and stuck it in my backyard in the hole of attracting local micro bats. I also know the odds are against me.😅💕🦇

[@h4bats]

I have found micro bats roosting in umbrellas, roll up doors, behind gutters, behind shutters and anywhere that is warm and cozy. They prefer about a 3/4" to 1" gap. Thanks for loving bats!

[@E-SPONGE555]

awesome honesty thx brother

[@travissigler3405]

Glad I watched bc I was ready to buy some

[@h4bats]

Had a short conversation about it with a bat biologist that works for a large company a few weeks ago. He was asking me if I'd heard of any reliable way to attract bats. To this day, still, I have not seen any research that clearly shows you can attract bats to a location. Theories range, but nothing proven. By having bugs, some water withing a few miles and a good roost, you've done about all you can do. Placing guano from another colony around a bat house could be telling the bats to leave as much as "over here" because bats are territorial. Thanks for loving bats!

[@veasnaec]

what is the good roosting location

[@alanr4263]

Can u put some bird baths near the bat house? I don't have stream or pound in the year I do have a little pound in front of our house

[@h4bats]

Yes, any water source clear for them to fly over can be used. They will drink "on the wing" meaning they will swoop over a body of water and drink while flying. How cool is that!?

[@manjsher3094]

My girlfriend's hair, it never fails.

[@ricardocalderon9823]

It is not rare for me to hear bats at night during the summer so I am going to hang one up this year. Don't want to sound too optimistic but I am sure I can get some bats quickly!

[@h4bats]

Thanks for loving bats! They are special creatures that work hard to eat bugs!

[@darcijmclaren41]

Thank you very much for your honesty…… we live in Central Alberta and for the past couple years we have housed many many little brown bats….. so last fall after there was no longer any activity in either house, we moved then (2 houses) to new locations, still close to our home but far enough away that we don’t have to worry about bat guano. So my question is… would the bats use any type of watering fixture ??? Thank you again, love your channel, D.

[@h4bats]

Bats will drink from the surface of a body of water while flying. Lakes, creeks, pools, animal watering troughs and birdbaths all qualify. Give them a clear "swoop" line so they can fly in, skim the water and then fly off in a straight line. Thanks for loving bats!

[@thomasmorrison6068]

Couldn't a recording of bats that are currently roosting be played at your bat house to say "hey we are here come on over!" to try and attract bats to the hide/house. Then once they are start using it they continue to use it so long as there is a food source?

[@vikkihardin5898]

Thank you sir

[@h4bats]

Most welcome! Thanks for loving bats!

[@IngloriousHomestead]

i undertood putting my house on a post not a tree, but does the bat need lots a airial space around the house or i can put my post in a forest?

[@h4bats]

First, bats prefer the temps between 85 and 100 degrees. If you place your bat house in a forest, try to make sure it gets morning sun and keeps it until after noon if possible. The more shade it gets, darken the color a little to improve the heat absorption to keep it warm enough. Second, bats need a head start when taking flight, give them at least 10 if not 15 feet from the nearest predator purchases (owls, hawks) so once the bat drops from the bat house, it has time to catch air and maneuver. Third, make sure under the bat house is clear at least 5 to 8 feet. When bats first drop they are literally in free fall until they have enough wind under their wings. Bats are not like birds in that most species cannot simply leap from the ground and fly, they need that initial drop. The older they get the better they learn to take flight, but pups can easily fall 5 feet or more when learning to fly. If you have an object or roof etc... right under the roost opening, bats may have to hit that obstruction then find a way to move to an edge to drop again. The longer it takes them to get to flight, the more vulnerable they are to predators. Thanks for loving bats.

[@thanh19vl]

Thank

[@Terry-pm7fw]

I've got a question for you! Why can't I find a pole that's tall enough and strong enough to mount a bat house to? I've been looking for months and all I can find is Martin poles or 15' poles!! I'm over it! I'm finally getting a friend to cut a cedar tree, stripping it and that's what I'm mounting to!

[@h4bats]

We commonly use 2"ID "black pipe" or Schedule 40 steel pipe available from plumbing supply centers. We have a steel bracket we sell specifically to mount 2 bat houses (or one) on top of such a pole. They are 21 feet long. Thanks for loving bats!

[@Terry-pm7fw]

@@h4bats I thought about that but thought that the coupling would be a weak point

[@h4bats]

@@Terry-pm7fw Schedule 40 steel pipe comes in 21 foot lengths, no coupling is needed. However, the steel pipe is available with threaded ends and I do know people who have had it cut into two pieces to haul it. Then flipped it around and used a steel coupling (also available at the supplier) to reassemble them into a single pole. They've been standing for more than 10 years now.

[@Terry-pm7fw]

And what about a top cap?

[@h4bats]

@@Terry-pm7fw If you order one of our brackets on estore.habitatforbats.org they include a top cap. Otherwise, you can make out out of a PVC cap as you design your own bracket to hold a bat house. Some (many) also leave the top of the pole open. If you do I suggest a small weep hole be drilled to be at the ground level and fill the bottom of the pole with dirt to ground level inside OR use a gravel base under the pole (don't seal it) so the water can soak into the ground.

[@gigglesmcgee2052]

Isnt there things you can do to make your bat box more appealing like lights for the bats to get bugs? Or certain trees they prefer roosting in? Vid wasnt that helpful to be honest lol

[@nonstopscott007]

What's the average time I could be looking at if I have a good setup? NE Ohio

[@h4bats]

We have had bats gather and start roosting in a bat house while it is still being hung and had bat houses take 3 years to get bats. If after 3 years you are not getting bats, examine the installation and see about moving it somewhere more favorable. Thanks for loving bats!

[@Noblesquire]

They do eat mosquitoes though right? I figured they eat all kinds of bugs but I'm trying to attract them mainly for killing mosquitoes.

[@h4bats]

Bats will eat mosquitoes, but I do not advertise them as "mosquito control". They are not, they are part of flying insect control including mosquitoes. Given the choice of a big fat flying moth (steak) vs a tiny little mosquito (tiny appetizer meat ball) they are going after the moth (steak). Bats will eat mosquitoes as they encounter them but they are not a targeted insect by bats. More bats means less bugs overall, not little critters knocking themselves out to seek and destroy mosquitoes.

[@Noblesquire]

@@h4bats fair enough. Thanks 👍🏻

[@davidbrucemusicvideo]

Noblesquire, He addressed your question in the two minute video. 😉

[@ronsmith1364]

Luck & water 😊😊😊

[@aliasgirl9]

I live in Canada. I’ve seen bats in my area before but not for some time - mostly bc I’ve never really looked or paid attention. It’s almost winter and I was wondering if if bats are active all year round - in all kinds of weather or do they hibernate since there is nothing for them to eat?

[@h4bats]

Bats will either migrate south or hibernate to survive the winters. In Canada, hibernation is their best option.

[@jmbewleyjr]

So it’s an actual, if you build it they will come (you hope) kinda thing?

[@h4bats]

Pretty much, yes. Put a good bat house in the best location and wait. Bats can live to be 40 years old in the wild, they learn from experience and they are curious. They will explore and remember good roosts when they find them. Thanks for loving bats!

[@FroztiProductions]

Well is there a way to instead deter other possible intruders? I want to buy a bat house but I'm worried bees or something will take over.

[@h4bats]

Bees generally leave the bat house alone once it is properly placed in full sunlight and with the 3/4" chambers, wasps don't like building nests inside of it, only on the outer edges. Once bats occupy it, they tend to handle any intruders like bees. Check us out on our website, estore.habitatforbats.org and let us know if you have any questions.

[@nancydrew5]

Bats are cute, and although he said they are " insect control, not particularly mosquitos control, in the humid south. We have big fat blood sucking ( full of human blood mosquitos), surely bats would view them as steak and go for them right???

[@h4bats]

Bat will grab and eat any insect that gets in their path, so while they do not target mosquitoes, they will eat them where easily available. There is also research evidence that suggests insects will leave an area where they hear bats echo locating. So even without eating the mosquitoes, they may be repelling them.

[@Boxanadu]

In some ways, cat food and mealworms might help temp bats into boxes, same with locusts.

[@corporaljd]

Good advice, saved my wallet from being lightened. Thanks 😊

[@h4bats]

You are welcome. I wish I could attract bats, I tried a large beetle suit and flying around, but my arms kept getting tired.

[@corporaljd]

Habitat For Bats 🐞🦇 😂😂😂

[@iprint3d710]

To the people who paid with a credit/debit card… they didn’t even lighten their wallet 😂

[@marap.detavera5103]

Maybe frequency sounds?

[@h4bats]

Bats seem to hear huge range of sounds, but nothing specific has been identified to either attract or repel them. Thanks for loving bats!

[@SINternetEntertainment]

We just got a bat house and we see bats around a lot so we want to get them a house. Now I know they will find it they want it. Thanks

[@h4bats]

Most welcome, thanks for loving bats!

[@SINternetEntertainment]

@@h4bats thank you for sharing what you know

[@elizabethrigby3901]

Try tossing a set of keys up...

[@h4bats]

Yep, that can work. But only when they are feeding actively searching for food. They will not be seeking a roost at that time and will certainly not enjoy the ride to the ground if they grab the keys. Their teeth can also break easily, so I discourage this type of interaction with humans.

[@Davey3]

How about getting rid of them? Any formulas to keep them off your property???

[@h4bats]

Bat will pretty much go where they can and where they like. You can work to exclude them from areas you don't want them to roost by sealing it if they are not already in or "excluding" them if they are in a location. Exclusions can be as simple as a netting covering an entry point with the bottom open so they can crawl out and down to leave but can't get back in. Or a cardboard or PVC tube they will crawl out of but won't land on the end and crawl back up and inside. Good luck!

[@oxbowridgefarm]

How do I know if there are bats in my area!???

[@h4bats]

Bats exist on every continent except Antarctica. It would be unusual if you were some place bats did not inhabit. What is your location and I can determine more. Thanks for loving bats!

[@GaryAbernathy-jt4yr]

How about solar led lights that attract bugs

[@JohnnyLobes]

Downvotes are from people who sell bat attractants.

[@WeebRemover4500]

bollocks, clicking noise will attract them if theyre in the air near you

[@h4bats]

If they are in the air near me... I don't need to attract them. Bats are curious, they will investigate flashes, noises, strange things in their environment when they encounter them. But that is not the same as attracting bats from 3 miles away to find your bat house by sending up a beacon of some kind, say a big spotlight shaped like a bat. Thanks for loving bats!

[@mariap888]

Who knew 😂

[@h4bats]

Yep, trying to save the bats and your wallet at the same time! Thanks for loving bats.

[@akilamen1874]

Kidnap some baby bats, lock em up in your bat house, raise em up with good values and such before you let em free...

[@h4bats]

Keeping or possessing bats of any native bat species in the US is prohibited and also not a good idea. But we get calls all the time with people wanting to know if we sell bats.