Build A Bat House Free Plans : House Plans

Build A Bat House Free Plans

Bats are fascinating creatures that play a vital role in our ecosystem. They are the only mammals capable of true flight and are adept at catching insects in mid-air. This makes them very effective predators, and they consume massive amounts of mosquitoes and other insects that can spread disease. By providing bats with a place to roost, you can help them to control insect populations in your area while also helping to create a more natural balance in the ecosystem. Building a bat house is a relatively simple and inexpensive project that can be completed in a few hours. Here are some free plans that you can use to build your own bat house.

Materials:

1 piece of 1/2-inch plywood (36" x 24")
1 piece of 1/2-inch plywood (24" x 12")
6 pieces of 1x4 pine (24" long)
1 piece of 1x4 pine (36" long)
1 piece of 1x6 pine (36" long)
1 piece of 1/2-inch hardware cloth (36" x 12")
1 box of 1-1/4 inch wood screws
1 tube of exterior wood glue

Tools:

Circular saw
Drill
Sandpaper
Paintbrush (optional)

Instructions:

Cut the plywood pieces to size. The two 1/2-inch plywood pieces will form the front and back of the bat house, and the 24" x 12" piece will form the bottom. The 1x4 pine pieces will form the sides and the roof, and the 1x6 pine piece will form the landing platform.
Assemble the sides of the bat house by attaching the 6 pieces of 1x4 pine to the front and back plywood pieces using wood screws. Make sure that the 1x4 pieces are flush with the edges of the plywood.
Attach the bottom to the sides of the bat house using wood screws. Make sure that the bottom is flush with the edges of the sides.
Cut the hardware cloth to size and attach it to the front of the bat house using wood screws. The hardware cloth should cover the entire front of the bat house, except for a small opening at the bottom for the bats to enter and exit.
Attach the roof to the top of the bat house using wood screws. Make sure that the roof is flush with the edges of the sides.
Attach the landing platform to the front of the bat house using wood screws. The landing platform should be at least 3 inches wide and should extend at least 4 inches from the bottom of the bat house.
Paint the bat house (optional). If you choose to paint the bat house, use a light color that will reflect the sun's heat and help to keep the bats cool inside.
Hang the bat house in a sunny location at least 10 feet off the ground. The bat house should be placed near a source of water, such as a pond or stream, and should be out of reach of predators.

By following these simple instructions, you can build a bat house that will provide a safe and comfortable home for these fascinating creatures. Bats are a valuable part of our ecosystem, and by providing them with a place to roost, you can help to protect them and ensure their continued survival.