FAQ - Where do Bats Go in the Winter

[@steve37341]

Any suggestions on helping the bats in late winter/early Spring with food sources? I plant hairy vetch in my garden which blooms early and attracts lots of types of insects plus bees. Will that help? I'm in TN.

[@xwiick]

Has anyone ever built a underground bunker/cave to provide more places for them too hybernate? Or just a dumb idea? Snakes not an issue up North

[@h4bats]

Bats will roost in abandoned coal mines, train tunnels, culverts under highways, in bridges etc... so in a way, yes, humans have contributed many places for bats to roost and use to hibernate in the winter.

[@MrYuck-xt8dw]

So, do bats need water sources with trees that they can climb in order to take flight once again? I have a pond near my house. But there's nothing nearby for them to climb up. Putting a bathouse on my property anyways. Should I erect a 12' high bat bath? cuz I will!

[@h4bats]

Many species cannot take flight from the ground, so yes, they would need something to climb so they can drop 2 to 3 feet to get enough air to fly away. Bats drink while flying, so there is no need to worry about anything near they lake. They will skim the water, drink what they want and keep going. The bottom of the bat house should be at least 10 to 12 feet from the ground. About 15 feet is is a good choice.

[@tinkertoodletrink]

I live in North Carolina in a culdesac with lots of woods surrounding our houses. Years ago, we'd see tons of bats flying around the street lights. Now, I never see them. I have noticed lots of hawks and owls. Do you think these birds chased away our bats?

[@h4bats]

While the hawks and owls will prey on bats, it is unlikely they are the cause the bats have left. Bat populations have plummeted in recent years and it is more likely the colony of bats is either very small or even gone now. We used to have a colony of more than 1000 that is all but gone, we rarely see them any longer in the summer.

[@tinkertoodletrink]

This is sad. Instead of selling bat houses, maybe they should sell baby bats. (I suppose that would open up a whole new can of worms, but hey! - it'd be nice to repopulate)

[@susanmetz9892]

I would love to hang a bat house because we get attacked by mosquitoes every time we walk outside. How high up should I hang the house. I know they have to swoop down in order to fly.

[@h4bats]

The minimum height to the landing board should be 10 to 12 feet with 15 feet or more being ideal.

[@susanmetz9892]

Habitat For Bats . Many thanks!

[@srossano]

What is the best way to mount a bat house to a tree without harming the tree?

[@h4bats]

Do not place a band around the tree, as it grows it will cut into the tree. While putting bat houses on trees is not recommended, the most common method of doing so it using lag bolts to secure something like a 2x4 to the tree then mount the bat house. Whatever height you fasten it at it will stay there as the tree grows (it won't get higher). The tree will get larger around though.

[@alanwhitsitt5196]

In western Wisconsin, the winter temps get to 30-50 below zero. Can they really handle that during hibernation? Is there something I can do to help with that?

[@h4bats]

Bats will go elsewhere to hibernate, caves, structures etc... and they can survive their environment even during the winter. There is not much we can do to help in the winter except don't disturb them. Many States are installing "bat gates" over caves know to have bat colonies in them for the winter. Bats will travel a significant distance to hibernate (or even stay active year around). Your Wisconsin bats could be spending their winters in a Tennessee cave!

[@ninechars]

I came to ask this same thing. Thanks!

[@bigmac3006]

What are you bat house recommendations?

[@h4bats]

Larger bat houses tend to do better, I prefer the 3 and 4 chamber bat houses myself. Small enough to handle easily, big enough for the bats to use well.

[@nelson3495]

In my attic!

[@johnkauffman1191]

It’s like 1 AM overcast and the bad house temperature is 90°

[@johnkauffman1191]

Batman I was cleaning up property and found an old bat house that my sister my sister gave to our father. Years ago and very small. We used to have a lot bats around. An old bat house got over ran bye vines growing up the tree you know Central Florida. Me and my father had been watching your videos for the last few days. And having fun doing it enjoy them. The old one was only 6 inches wide by 13 inches high. Single chamber was old and used So I built one yesterday it’s 12 inches wide by 21 inches tall single chamber inch and a quarter inside I groomed both sides front and back and left a three-quarter inch opening at the bottom and about a 4 inch spot to grab on and climb up below so it’s like 25 inches in height is it too early in the year here in Florida you being from Georgia that bats haven’t found it yet and what’s the best way to start getting bad back and what is that the highest temperature you would want a bat house to go because right now I’m looking at it it’s sitting at about 100 degrees to. 105 And it’s about 90° out today so I figure why there’s no bad I’m going to monitor the temperature add an extra slot in the front for ventilation and change it if I have to but never let a bathhouse get over what would it be all right if it does get up to 110 -115 degrees? And I use scrap lumber that I had and as soon as I get a chance I’m going to build a bigger bat house thank you for your time. And hope to get an answer back I’ve been calling BCI For days now and never received a phone call or got a hold anybody going to go to UF they got a big bat house one of these days and talk to them just trying to get some insight

[@h4bats]

Thanks for loving bats! Sounds like you have a good area for bats. In FL, you should make sure you paint the bat house toward a lighter shade of color, not necessarily white but something lighter than darker. Bats like the temps between 85 and 100 degrees, outside of that will make the bat house less favorable, especially for females in a maternity roost. Vents will likely be needed there, as it will get over 100 degrees in the top of the bat house during the hottest times, but bats will move around so if there is a spot that is cooler, they will move down to it. Generally, measure the temperature from about the mid-point of the bat house and target that 90 degree temp during the hottest part of the day. Let us know if you have more questions.

[@h4bats]

Bat houses can be put up any time of year, bats are curious critters and will explore their environment and remember good roosting opportunities. Even if they don't use it immediately, it's important it be there so they can find it to return to it later.

[@rickycuccio691]

Hi i live in deep south Louisiana, i do have bats that come out at dusk, I've see some skimming my pool. I've put up bat houses the store bought from Tractor supply their unfinished I've had them up for 45 years now but I don't think the bats or using my house as yet .any suggestions ?

[@rickycuccio691]

That's 4are5 years

[@h4bats]

If they are the smaller bat houses, they typically don't do as well as the larger bat houses. Small bat houses are more suitable for tree dwelling bats that often roost alone or in low numbers. Go tack them on trees in the woods and understand it's a bat house, but it's not really helping the bats that needs it most, the colony roosting species. Larger bat houses (at least 15" wide and 25+ inches tall with multiple chambers) are best suited for colony roosting species such as little browns, free tails etc... and those are the bats most impacted by white nose and loss of habitat. The bat house should be placed where it gets morning sun and stays in the sun until after noon. Bats prefer the temps between 85 and 100 degrees, they need the warmth as they use that to keep from burning body fat. The color of the bat house is less important than the shade of the color. If it is too dark it will absorb too much energy and get too hot, if too light it won't get hot enough. Think of a black vs. a white car sitting in the sun. Where you are an how hot it gets will determine the shade. If you are far north, you'd use a black bat house, if in very far south, you might go with a light grey or tan. Being in Louisiana, you're probably going to go with a medium light color, tan maybe a little darker than a typical cardboard box. Hope that helps and thanks for loving bats!

[@brookerambo7011]

looks like you have a white jindo.

[@h4bats]

brooke rambo Not with blue eyes. I'm sure you saw the videos, but Henry passed away in 2013 unexpectedly due to what the vet believes was IMHA. Henry was either pure Siberian Husky or a mix (though not a single vet or Sibe expert could suggest what the mix might be). He was a great dog and greatly missed.

[@tinkertoodletrink]

Soooooo sorry about your beautiful white dog. I was watching him intensely, so I had to re-play the video to hear what you were saying. I have a Belgian Shepherd.

[@johnkauffman1191]

1:00 pm lol In 90°

[@naturally_danii]

Wonder if his son ever got his girl 🤔

[@h4bats]

I wonder the same myself sometimes.

[@charley1606]

Your poor son.lol

[@h4bats]

I have a Masters in sarcasm and bad Dad jokes.

[@robburke8867]

😂😂

[@thecoppergolem5104]

i think its real

[@h4bats]

Of course I'm real!

[@northernbear7627]

Your dog water the tree behind you. :)

[@h4bats]

Dogs do that.