Protecting Bats in Your Neighborhood with a Bat Box

Bats are fascinating creatures, and having one in your neighborhood can be a great thing. Not only do they eat bunches of bugs, including mosquitoes, but their guano is also an excellent fertilizer for gardening. However, it’s important to note that bats should not live inside the structures of your house.

Recently, someone posted about a bat sighting in an area where no one had seen them before. After Tropical Storm Gordon blew through with warm, thundery weather, the bat was spotted close to the house at dusk. It flew straight toward the window, revealing its little ears. Since then, it has been sighted twice more.

In another area, two official unpainted bat houses were installed facing east but unfortunately, the bats didn't seem to like them. A robin even nested on top of one this spring. It appears that bats prefer to hang out in forests instead. To help keep the little critter nearby, building a bat box could be a fun idea. One person described watching 20 bats leave their bat house as dusk approached and fall straight down before taking flight - quite a sight!

Unfortunately, bat populations are having a tough time due to White Nose Syndrome, a fungal disease that is wiping them out. Texas has a huge population of bats though, so if you're lucky enough to have one around your home or cabin, make sure to build it a bat box for winter hibernation. Don't attach it to your house though - bat guano is filled with ammonia flavors and decomposition can cause some serious issues!  

All in all, bats can be beneficial and entertaining creatures if they are kept away from our homes. If you ever spot one near yours, remember to give it some space and consider providing it with a safe place to stay during colder months.