In northern and high-altitude regions of the United States, paint your bat box in a dark color, like black or navy. In the Midwest and South, paint your bat box in a dark or medium shade of paint, like a medium shade of gray or blue. In the desert, paint your bat box in a light color, like light gray. Stay away from white paint unless the average daily temperature is higher than 100 °F (38 °C) in July.
Also keep an eye out for any leaks or drafts that need to be caulked to keep the bat house warm, and repaint the house if the paint starts to fade or peel.
Growing plants native to your area might also attract bats since they are most likely to be what the bats already look for. If you want to remove a bat that has entered your house, isolate it to a specific room with a window. If the temperature outside is 50 degrees or above, open the window and allow the bat to leave without being harassed. If the bat does not fly, wear thick leather gloves, pick the bat with a towel, and quickly take the bat outside.
The ideal height for a bat house is around 12 to 20 feet (3. 7 to 6. 1 m) off of the ground.
While bats sometimes naturally roost in trees, you will be more likely to attract bats if you mount the house on a building or pole.
If you don’t live near a natural body of water, try adding a birdbath, fountain, or small pond to your yard.
Also try to position the bat house so that it faces away from any street lights.
You can check the ground underneath the bat house for waste to see if you are attracting bats. Bat urine can strip the finish and paint off of decks.
Placing the bat house on a south-facing side of a building is usually the best bet for keeping the bat house in the ideal temperature range. Mother bats are the pickiest when it comes to temperature. Male bats will tolerate a cooler resting place.
If bats don’t show up the first season you install your bat house, be patient. Bat houses can take up to 2 years to attract bats.
