In Nebraska, the big brown bat (Eptesicus fuscus) and little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus) are most likely to live in bat houses. Both species are commonly found living in attics, barns and other structures.
If you are considering a bat house, it is best placed in rural locations such as farms, acreages or in natural areas where habitat is already available. You are more likely to attract bats to a bat house if you put the houses in areas where bats already live. If you currently have problems with bats living in your home and plan to evict them, installing a bat house outdoors and nearby may encourage them to move into your bat house and not another human dwelling.
When looking at bat house designs, bats prefer larger houses over small ones. The bat house should be at least 24" tall x 16" wide x 4" deep. The house should be multi-chambered and the wood should be rough cut. The wood used in construction should be free of arsenic-based wood preservatives. Never paint the interior of a bat house. The exterior can be
protected with a water-based paint or stain in medium or dark tones (avoid black because it may cause the house to be too warm).
Bats are more likely to occupy houses installed at least 12 feet above the ground, with at lease 20-30 feet of clear flight space around the bat house. The house should be exposed to sunlight for more than seven hours per day. You can install the house on a pole, the side of an outbuilding or on a tree.
Make your bat house project a family activity. Building and installing bat houses can teach children valuable skills. They will learn about basic woodworking, bat conservation and how humans can co-exist with wildlife in a mutually beneficial manner.
For more information, including bat house plans and installation information, read UNL Extension NebGuide “Bat House Constructions and Installation” available at the Extension office or online at www.ianrpubs.unl.edu/sendlt/g1575.pdf.
Source: Soni Cockran, University of Nebraska
Potential Benefits and Hazards of Bats
The bats found in Nebraska eat only insects. Where bats are plentiful, their foraging for insects can be a significant factor in reducing insect pest populations. Some insects are also deterred by bat echolocation. Echolocation is what bats use to find their prey.
Bats also present potential dangers. Bat houses increase the likelihood of human-bat encounters. Risks can be reduced by teaching children (and other adults) never to handle bats and by keeping vaccinations of pets current. Place fencing or ornamental plantings around the base of the bat house site to reduce access to the colony. If a human or pet comes in contact with a bat, even if it doesn’t appear to bite, contact a physician.
