How to Build a DIY Bat House!

[@debrapomeroy7235]

What a good example of a n engaged dad.! And a very blessed little girl to have a daddy that loves her and cares enough to teach her. God bless you sir.

[@stuffsethmakes]

"Because bats don't like, of course, being eaten". -Marley 😂🦇

[@homesteadonomics]

😂 I loved that part too! 🥰

[@KyleMorpheus]

Ok this was adorable. Great father daughter build!

[@homesteadonomics]

Thank you Kyle! Love building projects with my little girl😀👍

[@tmanns416]

Hi dad and Marley. You are the cutest little bat expert on the internet. Last summer 2021, I had shoulder surgery, this project was something I can handle. So I built the bat house per you well research instruction. I finished it and then had problems with my shoulder. So just this week on July 5 2022, I installed it. And guess what I put it up. I left a piece of plywood under the house. And after less than 14 hrs I had bats, as evidence by bat guano on the plywood, SUCESS, MARLEY! You are the best I am 66 yrs old and your the best teacher I've ever had. I look forward to your new videos. God Bless!

[@IggyDalrymple]

I'm a volunteer guide at the Panhandle Pioneer Settlement in NW Florida and they have a very successful bat house. The bat house is quite effective in ridding the settlement from mosquitoes. Their bat house is mounted on a tall 4 X 4 which is bolted with a single hinge-bolt between two adjacent side posts. That way the bat house can be swung down for maintenance. Nylon screen is stretched over the compartment panels. The screen provides a surface for the bats to cling to. The Settlement also sells ready-made bat houses. The bats are notoriously picky in adopting a new home. Sometimes rubbing bat poop on the new house will help attract new residents.

[@homesteadonomics]

Well, I wouldn’t have guessed about the bat poop but I’m sure it couldn’t hurt. And I like the idea of having it be able to swing down for maintenance...smart! 👍😀

[@homesteadonomics]

n Mystic maybe Iggie will be able to give some better insight...,but I’ve read about 12-15’ is a good height😀👍

[@gregorythomas333]

Pretty great how she is so interested in things like bats...and building stuff...at such a young age. Most kids now a days are only interested in social media and playing video games...you did good Mom & Dad :)

[@homesteadonomics]

Thank you Gregory! I really appreciate that! We try to do our best😀👍 And regarding the tech stuff...Yes, there is such a draw to social media, games, videos and just general tech for kids these days. Especially for the kids that have parents that use tech as a crutch. By simply occupying there kids with one screen or another. Not saying it’s all bad, but just that some folks let it control them completely. But I think some people are starting to wake up a bit. Realizing the amount of control just a handful of tech giants have in people lives....scary in my opinion.

[@N4sir98]

What an great project for an intelligent little woman to take on. Marley certainly has done her research. This project, and the time spent with dad, will be an experience she will cherish for the rest of her life, and now it's been captured on video to watch and reflect upon for years to come. Great video!

[@homesteadonomics]

That’s the way I look at it too! Educational, skill building, time with family.....and a record of our experience to look back on😀👍

[@danielblahuta3330]

Hi Joe, thank you for posting this video of you and Marley doing a building project together. Time with our children is precious! It reminds me of projects with my daughter when she was a little girl. Marley is getting so tall and smart! Congratulations Dad and Mom!

[@homesteadonomics]

Thank you Daniel! We are just trying to enjoy every moment with her! But she growing so fast and wish I could sow the time down at least a little bit😂👍

[@SeansWoodBarn]

Brother, that is by far "father of the year" kinda stuff! Your design and build was spot on!! I have watched many "bat house" videos this evening, and yours was the only one using Tightbond 3 food safe bonding. I don't understand why people think caulk is safe to use for an animal habitat. Also, taking the time to cut thin slots for grip, so many others using staples and mesh screen? Those staples rust out and fall apart in 2 months time in a humid environment!! Thank you so much for the detail of craftsmanship, and again, for raising a child so great! She will be strong, self confident, and self sufficient when she grows into adulthood!! Our planet needs more children like that!!!! BRAVO!!!!

[@pyr8at40]

Golden.....what a confident young lady......

[@DeaDiabola]

Hehe watching her working the little sander all excited is the cutest thing! :) She will cherish these memories for sure!

[@ninja1antelope]

Bats are worth their weight in gold! Nice box!

[@homesteadonomics]

They sure are! Thanks for watching!

[@drumaganger]

First let me say that I love the build. Also, I find it wonderful that you would include your daughter in the build. It builds a wonderful memory as well as giving her a foundation of woodworking.

[@fallbrkgrl]

To Marley, You did a wonderful job building the bat house 👍. I am so impressed with you, young lady. Dad, you and your wife are the best! ❤️🌵🦇

[@homesteadonomics]

Aww, thank you Laurie! I will show this comment to the girls for you😀👍🙏

[@fallbrkgrl]

@@homesteadonomics I forget to mention how well she did speaking, and presenting, in the video. She was clear and confident, and overall did beautifully 👋👋👋

[@KaleidoscopeJunkie]

You go Girl ! ! I love the pink hammer. Bats prefer to live near a water source. Maybe add another tarp/wildlife drinker near by? Bats are worth their weight in gold. Marley - They are lucky to have you helping them. - KJ

[@homesteadonomics]

I will show her this KJ! She will love to hear it😀👍🙏

[@TheKandyGuy]

Father ,Mother and Daughter project ,, sweet , be safe and see you all on the next one..!!

[@homesteadonomics]

Thank you Anura!

[@1UMMA]

You just built an awesome memory with your daughter. God Bless

[@homesteadonomics]

Thank you Rami! And may God bless you as well😀👍

[@leahiamhopesulony4997]

We are currently discussing making bat boxes at work as a team building exercise...I think I should be able to sell them on the idea after this video! Happy to see y'all build together.

[@homesteadonomics]

Well that sounds awesome! I think it would be a great team building exercise too!😀👍

[@carlessgay1776]

It’s fun watching your little girl grow up. Good job daddy.

[@homesteadonomics]

Thank you! But I just need her to slow down a little bit....growing way to fast

[@johnb7889]

I wish our babies could stay that age forever! This video made me smile, thank you!

[@homesteadonomics]

I agree! She is growing way too fast! Wish I could slow it down just a bit😉

[@blackdog850]

Dawwww! Super cute and knows her stuff! Go-getter like her Dad! Well done BOTH OF YOU!!!

[@justchillinout2002]

Fantastic project! Loved the involvement of your daughter. I also appreciated that you were concerned with her tool safety but please don't forget about YOUR tool safety. You did a number of dangerous things on your table saw. Please take the time to educate yourself on proper table saw safety. I can't stress it enough. You were doing a number of very dangerous things (pulling material through and cross cutting without a sled to name two). I only say this as I enjoy your videos and want to see more and I'm sure your daughter wants her dad to have all his fingers.

[@homesteadonomics]

Thanks for checking it out! Always enjoy projects with my daughter. Regarding safety....definitely understand👍😀

[@CHEECHMUN]

Your daughter will have skills that you taught her. Nice sentiment with the movie steel! You are a Great Dad!!!

[@graphguy]

Nice to see that the master woodworker can show her dear old dad a thing or two!

[@homesteadonomics]

😂👍

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Your daughter is a natural on camera. That's fantastic that you got her involved on a project she was interested in. That's taking learning to the next level and getting valuable skills using tools as well.

[@homesteadonomics]

She is far more camera friendly than me! And we love getting her to learn as much as we can....as I’m confident in the not too distant future she will probably know far more than dad will😂👍

[@charlesdbruce]

Nice job Dad and daughter. The pink hammer was particularly a nice detail... :-)

[@chadh2330]

Great Job! More children need parents like you we would have a better place to live and a lot less problems that we have in this world.

[@homesteadonomics]

Thank you Chad! We try to do the best job we can! Sadly many kids are simply raised these days by a parent putting a screen in their hands.... which is just the ‘easy button’ for many parents. and for as much good and amazing stuff there is to be found online, there is just as much bad and negative stuff that can lead a kid down the wrong road just as easily.

[@davidbourgeois856]

She's a natural on camera and building projects. Nice work!

[@anthonypham5482]

This is the first time I have ever read all the comments of a post. I have learned a lot from your videos and all others. I first thought that your cool things of flying a thin wood over table saw and free-hand artwork drawings with circular saw. I was thinking about trying to do so, but others had remind me of many times I cut my fingers almost to the bones. Thank you all.

[@kevinritchie9227]

Pretty cool that this video came out today. My wife and I enjoy watching the bats at dusk at our home. Today, I contacted the Pennsylvania Bat Rescue on Facebook to find out where to find some houses or good plans to build them, then when I got home I had an notification about this video. Good job on it!

[@homesteadonomics]

Wow! What incredible timing! There are so many cool bat houses out there to check out too! And it sounds like you’ve got the right start by checking in with PBR too😀👍

[@LonghornWorkshop]

This project was just awesomeness from start to finish. I put up a bat house over a year ago and no bats for me either, but I learned something from your daughter that it takes time for bats to come and reside.

[@homesteadonomics]

Thanks for checking it out! Hopefully we both will have bats in the houses soon! Up to 2 years is what she read....but hopefully it’ll be sooner than that! We check every day😀👍

[@TheMonkdad]

Very cute assistant you have to build that bat condominium.

[@wileycoyotesr8623]

A Star Is Born. Marly (sp?) speaks well and makes her points. Smart too. Great video!

[@homesteadonomics]

Thank you! She will appreciate that🙏👍😀

[@beckyjohnson3153]

So fun! This should become a series of daddy daughter builds.

[@homesteadonomics]

Thank you! There will definitely be more in the future😀👍

[@starlitelodge7410]

Very sweet project with your daughter.. I wish I had a child.

[@homesteadonomics]

Thank you! We really enjoyed building it a lot!

[@gr1mrea9er82]

Bruce Wayne approves. Marley's Bat & Breakfast will be featured in Wayne Enterprise's Bat's monthly magazine.

[@homesteadonomics]

Haha...I hope he would! ‘Marleys Bat B&B’.... love it!😂👍

[@raincoast9010]

"Bats don't like, of course, being eaten" LOL That made my day. Yup, mind those fingers chief! Had to add that you and your daughter warmed my heart, thanks so much for posting.

[@homesteadonomics]

haha... yes, that made me laugh too! of course I'm pretty biased ;)

[@jimsfarm]

Build the playground before she grows up on you and no longer wants it. I love that she researched all the info and remembered it all. Good job. All three of you did a great job.

[@lauraguinasso5113]

Wow, Marley is super articulate. I love how you talk to each respectfully...that's not all that common now a days. Awesome video 👏🏼👏🏼💓🦇

[@homesteadonomics]

Thank you so much Laura! 🙏😀

[@DeaDiabola]

She's not a teenager, most kids are like this. Idk what you're on about.

[@debbies688]

Awe, you have a natural future you tuber. Great job dad encouraging learning.

[@homesteadonomics]

Thank you Deb! 😀🙏

[@Chanselleur]

Not only are you the coolest dad ever you are helping the environment while helping yourself and your family that’s it lots of mosquitoes I’m trying to find a way to keep them around my home without them being in my home or barn and this seems like a good way to get started. Thank you so much for all you do! It is extremely hot fulfilling to know that there really are people out there who care. I’m sure you were just being yourself as I am but it seems we are the minority. Keep doing what you’re doing. You definitely got it going on :-) totally made my day.

[@TigerWild1]

I have been wanting to build a bat box for some time now, I haven't seen a bat for so long, I miss watching them fly around. So I thought it was awesome watching you and your daughter building it together. I can't wait to see you both building a playground.

[@homesteadonomics]

That is something she is reaaally excited about😀👍

[@robvanza]

Awesome to see father daughter projects and with some practise she can do the voice overs for your video's! LOL!

[@homesteadonomics]

Thank you Robert! I would love to start putting her in on some of the voice overs! Much sweeter voice than mine😂👍

[@harmon1286]

I vaguely remember the bat house I built, many years ago. Research referenced that the front had to be facing either north or south or maybe it was either east or west. I can’t remember. Your daughters young mind should be able to verify my statement quicker than me and make adjustment, unless you already knew this..! Great job. Yours was almost twice my size...! It took 18 months for first inhabitant in rural Maryland. We already had bats flying around at dusk, every Spring n Summer nite, which was good eating for the mosquitos..! I wish I could’ve taught my daughter as you enjoyed with yours..! Enjoyed your production immensely..!

[@homesteadonomics]

Thanks so much Harmon! I’m hoping we don’t have to wait too much longer for them to take up residence! As we sure like seeing them flying around. But I’m glad to hear yours was a success😀👍

[@briangarrow448]

Batman and Batgirl would be proud!👍👍👍

[@jerryskidlsd]

Great instructional video! And what a great Dad and daughter relationship you have! God bless!

[@8baal]

My daughter and I built a small travel trailer about the same size as yours and documented it in a slideshow on my channel. These experiences are great for any child. They're like brain fuel! Mucho respect from this dad to you.

[@homesteadonomics]

That sounds awesome Eli! I will definitely go check it out! Glad to hear you guys did it together too. What a great experience for her! 😀👍

[@philipsutherland5441]

What confidence, intelligence and poise Marley has. A star is born!

[@kristinraabe6887]

Great job Marley! Thank you for sharing your knowledge on bats and your build for their new house! Better get on that playground dad!

[@homesteadonomics]

Haha... she won’t let me forget😂👍

[@davidkenworthy2403]

I would give Marlee an (A+) on her presentation! GR8 JOB! And she did a wonderful build and assembly! To you and your wife gr8 job, building relationship with her!

[@homesteadonomics]

Thank you David! We very much appreciate that! And I will let Marley know she gets an A+ too👍😀

[@christiecrawford6119]

loved the video it made me cry i was so happy,so nice to see father and daugters building things togther..

[@blackberryhideout5793]

Super cool project for you and Marley, and for the bats. Can’t wait to hear about when the bats move in. 🦇❤️

[@homesteadonomics]

Oh I can assure you that you’ll be one of the first to hear about it Jess!😀👍

[@gregpearce]

Your daughter is adorable! And SMART too!

[@anthonypham5482]

Lovely. I am planning to show this wonderful video to my grandchildren and hopefully they will be enjoying building this beautiful house on their visit in November of 2022 soon.

[@jamesoncross7494]

You need a push stick for your table saw. Your daughter is adorable. Great Father daughter time!

[@Bigga-Pa]

“The bats do NOT like to be eaten” 👍🏼🤪

[@homesteadonomics]

😂🙏

[@peterdebad1]

What a great way to spend time together during a pandemic. Thanks for sharing. Peace!!

[@homesteadonomics]

Yes it is! Good times, bad times....always time for family to spend together😀👍

[@Uncle_Buzz]

She is an AUTHORITY on bats! Very cool. Been wanting to build a couple of bat houses for years. *needing* Cheers! C

[@homesteadonomics]

Thanks Chris! She sure jumped in head first on researching these little critters! And it has been educational for me as well😀👍

[@mcool4587]

I love that video! Your a great father and she will remember that build the rest of her life. Nothing greater than bonding times with your kids.

[@danielfisch655]

Great job, your daughter is such a great helper and she has such an amazing personality. Our oldest daughter just got engaged and I have fond memories of doing a lot of different projects with her. Thank you for sharing.

[@homesteadonomics]

Congrats on her engagement! Oh man, I Lee hearing that the time flies by and the last couple years have definitely confirmed that. Just trying to enjoy every moment! 😀

[@danielfisch655]

homesteadonomics thank you, enjoy your time together for as long as you can. Our youngest daughter is going into her junior year at DU in Colorado so I feel like I’m missing out on Daddy/Daughter time but thank God we have two sons also. Our oldest son just moved here to the Scottsdale area two months ago and our youngest son lives in Florida but is planning on moving here within the next two years. When I was a leo I was gone most of the time and I’m trying to play catch up with them before they start their own families.

[@cabman86]

I remember my daughters helping me in the shop. I got them a scroll saw to learn with.

[@rickhiggins6521]

Doubt that I will build a bat house but think it is great that you are encouraging your daughter. She maybe a craftsman like her dad.

[@homesteadonomics]

I would love it if she did...but will support her in whatever interests she takes up! 😀👍

[@ramonocasio9573]

Nice bat house. That is great that you are showing your daughter how to build. Very smart girl you have there. Looking forward to more videos. 👍👍👍👍👍

[@jamespotter936]

The best helper ever!

[@homesteadonomics]

She sure is!!!!!!!

[@jessegarcia1060]

Great job, Biggest diy bat house I've ever seen. Had some neighbors with a few occupied small bat houses on their barn. Oddly there was a street light between our houses and I would sit out on the porch at night and watch a bunch of bats of all sizes swoop into the large swarm of bugs around that street light. It was very cool to watch, probably my neighbors. They like to live close to a sure source of food I'm sure for their young.. Just a thought.

[@homesteadonomics]

Thanks! And the food source from the light sounds like a good idea too! And whatever they don’t get, that eventually falls to the ground the chickens will clean up in the morning😀👍

[@Lancemendonca]

Dude….you are a very cool dad and Marley seems to be an amazing helper, great build and I enjoyed the video a lot.

[@WayneT51]

G'day Marley, greeting from Australia. You and your dad did a great job with the bat house. I look forward to the playground project.😉👍🇦🇺

[@homesteadonomics]

Thanks for checking it out Wayne! I’m sure Marley will be thrilled hearing from Australia 🇦🇺😀👍

[@bobbobbington5883]

Aside from the nice bat house, this has been a great example of good parenting. Thank you.

[@ScrapwoodCity]

Awesome work guys! The apprentice did a wonderful job! I hope my daughters follow her path in a few years! :)

[@homesteadonomics]

Thank you! And about your daughter following in your path.... I have no doubt they will! Learning from you they will learn a ton!👍😀

[@rthamilton5s]

Your random projects are what interest me the most too. I do enjoy your larger projects, but the smaller projects are my favorite.

[@BigSkyAtNight]

Very cool. It’s great to watch you teaching Marley! Can’t wait for the playground... 😁👍

[@robertfaber6796]

You both did a great job on the narration. Thanks for the information on bats.

[@homesteadonomics]

Thank you Robert!

[@rich0665]

Man ur lil girl has grown since the playhouse build...great job guys you will have guests soon and they will love the house yall have built lol

[@christianmayhew2617]

HOLY SMOKES!!!!!!! That first cut scene on the table saw made me nervous as all get out!!!!!! #kickback #pushstick

[@Zippsters]

What a cool Dad Marley has. I was raisex when Dads only taught those skills to their sons. Marley would enjoy the series of kids books about bats Silverwing is one. I’m sorry I don’t recall the author but they are excellent.

[@homesteadonomics]

I’m going to check them out! Thank you! And luckily both sides of my family have been pretty good about teaching skills to the girls too. My mom was raised on a ranch and was haying fields and driving cattle when she was 11....and my grandpa even had her get her pilots license before she had a vehicle license!

[@andrewjones-productions]

What a fantastic video and project! I learnt a lot more from this than I was expecting! As soon as you mentioned the largest bat, I paused the video and searched to learn more. Please tell your daughter that her project has enlightened, taught, informed and inspired a 51 year old Welshman living in Japan! I hope she will equally find it inspiring that what she does can influence people far and wide and keeps that with her all her life. Most importantly, tell her 'thank you' or 'diolch' as we say in the Welsh language.

[@homesteadonomics]

Oh wow Andrew! She loved hearing that and is now asking to learn more in Welsh! Thanks so much for checking it out and giving the welsh lesson. Not to mention the aspect of the connection to a Welshman living in Japan 🇯🇵! Wow, super cool! 😀👍🙏

[@minutemark]

Great job, Marley! I'd be happy to stay there if I was a bat!

[@homesteadonomics]

She says ‘thank you so much Mark’😀🙏

[@erikafreebird6449]

Lucky little girl to have such a wonderful dad.💕

[@Tsiri09]

Teaching kids science with hands-on projects instead of "just read the book" works far better.

[@hopechannelcat5462]

enjoyed you and your daughter and all her bat facts. keep her busy, oh i want a bat house too

[@homesteadonomics]

Thank you! I will let her know😀👍🙏

[@PastorHinChrist]

Beautiful, such excellent parenting.

[@homesteadonomics]

Thank you Harry! We really appreciate that!

[@RETard-me4mj]

That was a charming video! Both the bats and us viewers win.

[@homesteadonomics]

Thank you Lois! We enjoyed the build and learning way more than I thought there was to even know about bats!

[@henrypuyi5485]

Joe great idea to power down the nail gun. I’ll have to remember that. What a great project! Take care and as always Bear Down!

[@homesteadonomics]

Thank Henry! She really wanted to hammer something and I figured that would give her a lot of partially sink nails to hammer down👍😀

[@henrypuyi5485]

Joe I saw Lute Olson passed away. I feel so fortunate to have been at UofA at the start of his career in the desert. He will be missed. Bear Down!🏀

[@dustman96]

Great teaching philosophy. Awesome when you can teach kids practical skills too, using their interests as a motivator. Cool project!

[@homesteadonomics]

Thank you! I never liked to be forced into learning something when I was a kid and we figure there are so many cool and interesting subjects out there to generate a genuine interest in a kid. And fostering that interest just naturally brings in everything else..math, science, reading, etc😀👍

[@kr5289]

cherish the times I could not get out of my daughter's site when she was that age now, she's 31 and hardly ever see her time fly's

[@craigjohnson5814]

I always like your videos, this one was one of your best. You my friend are a great dad!!!!

[@homesteadonomics]

Thanks Craig! I really appreciate that! One of my ultimate goals is to be the best dad I can be😀🙏

[@JockNmystyle-]

Dude, righteous video with your daughter. I hope my kids will do stuff like this with me!

[@johnreinburg859]

Excellent build with your daughter!

[@homesteadonomics]

Thank you John!

[@BubbaPat]

I LOVE the video. One.. I need a bat house... Two.. you have the same table saw I do. I don't see them very often. Three... ya'll are so cute working together.

[@mikehomner4724]

Very cool project to start with your daughter! I remember my first being a skate board. This is Bat Dad Approved!! :):)

[@homesteadonomics]

Haha....bat dad approved! I totally forgot about those videos but they are hilarious😂👍

[@jamesmandl9302]

WTG Dad! A little tidbit of data for your daughter on the Bracken Bat Cave in S. Texas since it is only about 30 miles from me. There are so many bats that come out of the cave that on a clear day the doppler weather radar picks them up and it looks like a large bubble of green like a light rainstorm. Have her look up Dr. Charles A. R. Campbell and the bat roosts around Bexar County and San Antonio TX in the early 1900's.

[@homesteadonomics]

Oh wow! That sounds crazy! We will certainly be checking that out! Great to hear from Texas!

[@Environmenthrall]

Super sweet video. Looking forward to an inaugural roosting update.

[@kennylakits4093]

Love It!!!! Because bats dont like to be eaten!

[@warren519]

Awesome, Love it, teaching his daughter to built a bat house.

[@homesteadonomics]

Thanks for checking it out Warren!

[@ionacjohnj.59]

She is very handsome! I wish you a good luck for bats. 🐝 safe!

[@BUIKPAN]

Dont forget to post a video of bats leaving your house to feed some night! That would close the loop on the success of your build but very sweetvideo!

[@JustinMcKinneyhiker]

Great video, I'm so glad she's into bats. I'm going to make one myself . Thanks for sharing .

[@homesteadonomics]

Thank you for checking it out Justin!

[@stuffsethmakes]

WHO IS GIVING THIS VIDEO A THUMBS DOWN?!?!? Good grief. Keep up the good work Marley, pretty soon you'll be building circles around your dad 😉👊🏻

[@homesteadonomics]

I know a video where she can learn to build circles....from this California guy I know about😉

[@gregajohnson1985]

that's a great dad-daughter project to do, and we could always use more mosquito eating bats.

[@jilldevitophd]

Keep us posted when the bats move in!

[@homesteadonomics]

Will do! We check it almost everyday!