Bat House | Build It | Ask This Old House

In this video, This Old House host Kevin O’Connor meets with general contractor Tom Silva and landscape contractor Jenn Nawada to talk about bats and how beneficial they are. Then Tom and Kevin build a bat house.
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One of the best ways to support bats is to hang a bat house in your backyard. They give bats safe places to stay during the day while allowing them to move freely. Kevin O’Connor meets with general contractor Tom Silva and landscape contractor Jenn Nawada to talk about how beneficial bats are, and then Tom shows Kevin how to build a bat house to encourage these flying friends to nest.
Where to find it?
For the building materials, Tom has chosen 3/4” exterior grade CDX plywood [homedepot.sjv....] and 2x4 cedar board [homedepot.sjv....].
To cut the cedar board, Tom uses a miter saw [homedepot.sjv....]. He then uses a track saw [homedepot.sjv....] to make all the other measurement cuts on the CDX plywood. To give the bats a better area to grip, Tom uses the track saw to cut a few rows of grooves on the bottom of the back piece.
To assemble the bat house, Tom secures the pieces with caulking adhesive [homedepot.sjv....] and exterior grade pocket screws [homedepot.sjv....]. He then uses a drill bit [homedepot.sjv....] to create venting holes, allowing better airflow. For the finishing touch, Kevin and Tom paint the bat house with an exterior grade water-based black paint [homedepot.sjv....].
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Materials:
Bat house plans [amzn.to/4djyZBz]
Cedar or untreated 2x4 [homedepot.sjv....]
Non-treated CDX plywood [homedepot.sjv....]
Caulk [homedepot.sjv....]
Exterior grade pocket screws [homedepot.sjv....]
Water-based paint [homedepot.sjv....]
Note: It’s important to use wood that has not been treated with chemicals. CDX plywood can be difficult to find untreated, so consider using another rougher plywood if you’re unable to find it. BC plywood will typically do the trick.
Tools:
Tape measure [homedepot.sjv....]
Miter saw [homedepot.sjv....]
Track saw or table saw [homedepot.sjv....]
Power drill [homedepot.sjv....]
3/4 inch drill bit [homedepot.sjv....]
Build It:
This Old House general contractor Tom Silva, This Old House host Kevin O’Connor, and special guests including Jimmy DiResta, take you through step-by-step DIY projects in this popular video series. From end-tables to cutting boards to wine racks to chicken coops and more, learn how to build from the best pros in the game. Segments include mention of all tools and materials needed to get the job done.
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Bat House | Build It | Ask This Old House
/ thisoldhouse

[@jo_nathan_nation6544]

The relationship between Tom and Kevin reminds me of the one I had (still have) with this boy (now man) I mentored through Big Brothers Big sisters. I am a woodworker/furniture builder and we used to build things for his mom as our activities. We met when he was 9 and he is now 26. He is now a cabinet maker and carpenter. I am incredibly proud of him. He is all grown now and has wife and two babies.

[@hockeyguy0212]

Put in my first bat box two summers ago. Haven’t been bitten by a mosquito since. Love having it.

[@c0mputer]

Don’t you live in the arctic?

[@jmert_5859]

Nice

[@Bushmaster85]

You lucky devil

[@wilsonxyz92]

Now I want to see Bat Cave project by Tom Silva 😂

[@brystmar]

Now we just need a bat signal.

[@SledDog5678]

👍

[@jank330]

cool i put my bat house up 8 years ago on the back of the garage close to our pond I'm happy to report they seem to like it.

[@TheCrimsonFlash]

Tom is the Bat Man.

[@0blivioniox864]

Nice. But forget about the bats - you can rent that out for a grand a month in the northeast.

[@WyldfireKeeper]

Biologist here. Don’t paint it black unless you are in a northern climate where summer temperatures don’t exceed 90°. You want some heat absorption, but not to the degree that black creates. A more natural medium or medium-dark brown would be better. A lighter brown or tan would be best in southern climates. Otherwise, this is a great build and everyone should consider having some bay boxes in their neighborhood. Bats are great to have around human habitats for a variety of reasons, and bat boxes give them some other options besides the attics of human homes and caves. Make sure to place them at least 12’ off the ground and don’t attach them directly to your home. Too much human activity will make them reconsider moving in. The back yard, at least 20’ from the nearest doorway, is best.

[@Mao2187]

Side of the barn facing the sun when in Maine is best. NO TREES. also the side of a chimney or house is okay. The best is a 30 foot high pole at least 40 feet away from trees and near a body of fresh water.

[@BamBamBigelow..]

Yes, The Bat instructions!

[@GoodwillCriminalsOfDallas]

Want to see the ultimate bat cave. Head to Austin, Texas. The main highway bridge is home to one of the largest bat colonies in the world. It is an amazing experience to watch them leave to go hunting in the evening.

[@Mizzelphug]

There was a bridge like that here in Houston too, but I think Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico has everyone beat on amazing bat populations.

[@chiptait]

@@Mizzelphug Bracken Bat Cave north of San Antonio is the largest colony of mammals on the planet.15 million bats! tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/wild/species/bats/bat-watching-sites/bracken-cave-preserve.phtml

[@Alex-qv2fh]

Beautiful video.

[@Alex-qv2fh]

Very handsome video.

[@silentlou4375]

Would love a video on a nest box for Chimney Swifts (much more involved than a bat house).

[@patmcbride9853]

The bats will be plenty warm in my neck of the woods, even if the bat home is painted white.

[@craigbrowning9448]

Da-Da-Da-Da-Da-Da-Da-Da- Da-Da-Da-Da-Da-Da-Da-Da- Bat House!

[@Jack-xo2zp]

That house looks like a good place for honeybees to build a hive in.

[@SledDog5678]

Or wasps

[@susanvasquez3625]

Have a care for what you place it over as well. Bat guano is very acidic. Be sure to put the house where droppings will fall to the ground, or where you can clean them off with a pressure washer as needed.

[@Its_crazyadamla]

Tom Silva is the star of the show....

[@BradThePitts]

Been a fan since 1979. Tommy can't go on forever, I fear TOH will loose its charm when he permanently retires.

[@Kevin-mp5of]

*lose

[@jmason61]

This is cool! I always thought they were more just like a birdhouse with big empty spaces inside. But I suppose they need to be more specific if they are actually going to attract bats

[@duncansutherland47]

Awesome!!

[@tim22589]

Perfect for when you want to get back at the HOA.

[@tim22589]

@Navy1977 Bats are endangered species and protected under federal law. Once established, it's a crime to disrupt a bat habitat.

[@Bushmaster85]

In NE theres an R in SAW

[@robertoler3795]

my next project we hve bats here in Gig Harbor thanks guys

[@lordgarth1]

I was going to put one up but was warned that (at least where I live) once you put one up it becomes protected habitat and you can’t relocate it or remove it. So best check state regs.

[@Kevin-mp5of]

It's the same with the squatters here in California, once they move into a vacant home you can't get them out because their habitat is protected by FJB...

[@gpslightlock1422]

How about a Robin's nest next to it? Can't have Batman without Robin!

[@Andrea-bw8xm]

I recall reading that the best location for a bathouse is high up (like you said) on the northeast side of the house/ barn. Your model is nice and big. Was the gap between the partitions only 3/4"?

[@AmericanMX]

I can’t imagine you would want to paint it black here in Texas ?

[@clairegarcia7286]

No that would probably be too hot

[@ryan71100]

Anyone have the plans for this?

[@gameeverything816]

No batman sybol on the front?

[@SledDog5678]

I thought the same!

[@aladrasullivan9018]

Needs bat emblems on it

[@happykillmore349]

You cannot "put them almost anywhere". They definitely shouldn't go in trees

[@clairegarcia7286]

Can you explain why they shouldn't go into trees?

[@fmradio42]

Be careful and working on shutters. I seen bats behind them.

[@christophercope6311]

Who makes the track saw?

[@4speed3pedals]

Has anyone figured out the dimensions? If you dabble in wood projects, how many sheets of CDX are you willing to waste?

[@6by6by6]

How’s it a waste.. you literally built a bat house… Did you vote for Biden..

[@montanaspring7176]

oh no., the table was cut

[@Idlehandzx2]

Having out written demotions would make this video perfect but without them it’s just another video that is to complicated to fallow or emulate

[@JillKrause-fj7ku]

Will this keep them from moving into your house. They have moved into mine and they don’t seem to mind the material, water etc. we have tried everything to make them leave. Do you have any suggestions?

[@KendrasEdge757]

Hire a pest control contractor to remove them. Then hire a contractor to seal up your house.

[@JillKrause-fj7ku]

@@KendrasEdge757 thank you we did that a few years ago. they managed to get in somewhere else last year and had babies we were told they are endangered species and you just have to live with them until they are old enough to survive on their on. Which was from April of last year until August. In August they put in a one way escape for them to get and and not back in. I then paid another company to come back out and double check all the places they could enter. So far I haven’t seen signs of them getting back in this year. But if they get in and have babies it will be too late.

[@KendrasEdge757]

@@JillKrause-fj7ku wow! Thats just ridiculous y’all had to just live with it. Well hopefully they did a good job checking to make sure everything is sealed up. I know you weren’t asking me, but I don’t think this would necessarily keep them out of your place if you built this, but if they found it first than maybe so 🤷‍♂️

[@adamdejesus4017]

I had ORKIN do a bat exclusion in my attic, they were pricey but thorough, and bats *have not returned* it has been five years now. They also do a re-inspection every year since the work. The trick is every gap/hole larger than a dime needs to be plugged. My bats have since moved into the woods, I see them every night, they still keep the mosquitos down but they don't show up in my living room! I thought about a bat house to keep them around but they found their own new digs.

[@GP1080HD]

Why Kevin is so quiet today? Everything alright??!!??!!??

[@Kevin-mp5of]

Bat got his tongue?

[@subliminalfreedom]

Neat

[@LastofallJedi]

The perfect rental for a wasp queen looking for a new place to set up residence. How much are you asking? The wasp queen asked.

[@Kevin-mp5of]

Bat soup?

[@TrumpAmerica-2024]

🔦🦇

[@Guardducks]

Pops gone batty.

[@MegaRiffraff]

👍🏻

[@jacobbirkenfeld9261]

Says “its important not to use any treated lumber so we don’t build this bat house full of chemicals, so buy cedar 2x4s. Then proceeds to tell us to buy P.T. Plywood to make up 85% of the bat-house with….

[@tomcook8897]

Thought that was weird too

[@6by6by6]

That wasn’t PT it’s exterior grade glue.. they are not the same😅

[@jacobbirkenfeld9261]

@@6by6by6 the plywood he used was pt…. He listed it

[@BradThePitts]

Forget the carpentry, Tommy has the best comb-over in history. Who's his barber, I need to see him!

[@spencer2365]

Nice to see them finally using quality cordless tools. Milwaukee is for tradespeople, Dewalt is for homeowners

[@KendrasEdge757]

They were using expensive Festool for a few years. Guess Milwaukee gave them a better deal and more people can afford them over festool.

[@johnlebzelter4208]

Haha. No one asked for your opinion.

[@allentoyokawa9068]

Makita is far better

[@KendrasEdge757]

@@allentoyokawa9068 opinion, but better than what? A hand saw? What’s the starting point. Saying ___ is better than ____ is subjective and opinion.

[@joeivo911]

@@johnlebzelter4208 loser.

[@Honestblades]

I expect a lot better out of these guys. Right off the bat ( not a pun) they mention pressure treated lumber, and " a chemical". Modern lumber is treated with copper, and that's why it has a green hue to it, just like the statue of Liberty. I expect these guys to be educated about modern practices since a good bit of what they do, involves wood. When man discovers that something is toxic, they change to a different composition ( think lead pipes in the house back in the day). Educate yourselves guys.

[@saulgoodman2018]

Hell no. I hat bats. I don't want them no where near my house.

[@WoogieboogieOG]

Bat house?? We use to hit them with a broom and put them in the freezer in Tupperware as a kid. Why you ask? Because if you try to release the dang thing it comes back into your house through same spot.

[@metalechoes1]

You can tell they're running out of ideas.

[@0blivioniox864]

TV and Movie houses have been out of ideas since the 2008 writer's strike.

[@waguchan2414]

I enjoyed this episode. They installed similar bat houses in the parks where I live, so I considered building one.

[@godspeed2u]

First 😊

[@stevendavanna]

Here come the “no one cares” comments 😂 Glad to see someone enjoys this old house as much as I do

[@godspeed2u]

@@stevendavanna Love your comment. Feeling goofy today