We put a batbox on one of our trees. I plan on putting a game camera up, but any advice for making it more “comfortable” or “welcoming”? I haven’t seen any bats or noticed any signs of them using it even though we have quite a few I’ve seen flying around here during the summer.
You might try the website for Bat Conservation International or an Ag Extension or Fish & Wildlife site for detailed tips. I know where you put the box (height, temperature, habitat, flight paths) is really important for whether you get bats or not, but I don’t know all the details.
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Yes, BCI has guidance on design and placement. But bat boxes are a gamble. Sometimes it takes a long while before bats discover them and sometimes (even often) they aren’t used at all.
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Lots of info online. Most suggest not placing it in a tree.
https://batmanagement.com/blogs/bat-roosts/how-to-choose-a-bat-house-location
https://www.fws.gov/story/2024-10/how-build-bat-box
A game cam may not catch them - they’re so fast, by the time they trigger the motion sensors, they’ll be out of range. Unless it’s aimed right at the entrance; then you might catch them going in or out.
Good luck! I hope it works!
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Thanks for the links !
I’ll tru to built a bat house during spring, but with our cold climate here in Quebec I’m not super hopeful …
An outside light on a warm evening will attract the insects and the insects will attract the bats, so at least you will know if they are in your area. Getting them to use the bat box is less easy. Is it a simple design? If you can make a few and put them up in places with different aspects, that will increase your chances. I think they like a choice and may use different boxes on different nights (except when they have young ones). Also bear in mind winter hibernation sites will be different from summer roosts. That is the advice in Britain. It doesn’t necessarily apply in other climates.
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+1 for @jhbrattons advice. We frequently find bat guano when cleaning bird boxes during the winter, and so far I’ve seen no rhyme nor reason as to which boxes are chosen, so if it is not a money issue, spam the place with boxes : )
FWIW, here’s the AI assistant for my browser’s answer:
Attracting Bats to a Batbox
To attract bats to a bat box, you should provide a suitable habitat that includes food, water, and shelter. Bats primarily feed on insects, so planting night-blooming flowers and aromatic plants like dahlia, French marigold, nicotiana, evening primrose, thyme, raspberry, or honeysuckle can attract nocturnal insects, which in turn will attract bats.
Ensure that a water source, such as a pond, creek, or even a birdbath, is within about a quarter of a mile from the bat box.
Place the bat box at least 15 feet above the ground on a pole or the side of a building, facing south to provide the ideal temperature range of 85 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
Avoid placing the box on trees to prevent predators from accessing it.
Additionally, turn off outdoor lights at night to avoid disturbing the bats.
Keep pets indoors at night to reduce the risk of them disturbing the bats.
Clean the bat box annually during the winter months to maintain its effectiveness and ensure the health of the bats.