JOIN NOW LOG IN
iVillage GardenWeb iVillage GardenWeb THE INTERNET'S GARDEN & HOME COMMUNITY ADVERTISEMENT
Blogs
Garden Voices
Forums
Garden Forums Home Forums Nature Forums
Photo Galleries
Garden Galleries Home Galleries
Ask The Experts Tools & Directories
Organization Directory Events Calendar Hortiplex Glossary Zone Finder Garden Bazaar
       
Return to the Texas Gardening Forum | Post a Follow-Up

o
Bat Houses

clip this post email this post what is this?
see most clipped and recent clippings
Posted by mscotty12321 8 (My Page) on
Mon, Feb 1, 10 at 21:19

Does anyone have a personal recommendation for bat houses? I have a couple of styles in mind, but would like to benefit from your first hand experience. I am in Plano.

Thanks.

Follow-Up Postings:

o
RE: Bat Houses

clip this post email this post what is this?
see most clipped and recent clippings

I have not put them up on my property, but I do know that there are Boy Scouts who did their Eagle Projects around Allen by building and mounting bat houses in wild areas around town. I asked the Parks and Rec. people about them and was told that they sometimes take a year or two to become occupied. I'm sure you can find some good recommendations at the website for Bat Conservation International. I did a search for "bat house" at their site and found this information that might be helpful. Click on the links to the publications on criteria for successful bat houses and tips on attracting bats for the information I'm sure that will be helpful to you.

Here is a link that might be useful: Bat Conservation International - bat house info.

o
RE: Bat Houses

clip this post email this post what is this?
see most clipped and recent clippings

I got one at a big box several years ago and then discovered I didn't really have a good spot for it. I put it in a tree anyway but no bats. They'll fly over the driveway but they didn't find the house. The squirrels did. They chewed on the bottom. I'm in Plano too.

o
RE: Bat Houses

clip this post email this post what is this?
see most clipped and recent clippings

Thanks for the information Denise and Ann. I hope I can attract bats. I think it would be interesting and they may help with mosquito control. I was going to get a purple martin house until I read that they don't eat that many mosquitos and they seem to be pretty high maintenance.

Ann, I read your profile. Did you get rid of all of your lawn yet? I am removing mine to and replacing it with native prairie grasses, flowers, and shrubs. It is much more interesting than mowed grass, but my neighbors don't get it.

o
RE: Bat Houses

clip this post email this post what is this?
see most clipped and recent clippings

Not yet. We have a lot of lawn but in the front yard, it is finally turning into more flowers, shrubs, etc than grass.

o
RE: Bat Houses

clip this post email this post what is this?
see most clipped and recent clippings

mscotty12321, I put a bat house out made from BCI plans. Nary a bat in two years.

Martins don't eat mesquitos but they're happy birds and fun to have around. I look forward to that crackle song about this time every year. Not trying to change your mind, just my .02. As far as maitenence I do clean the house out annually, thats about it. If you get one get a starling resistent house and put a predator guard on it. I prefer the SK houses and poles.

  
 

 

 


Click here to learn more about in-text links on this page.



iVillage GardenWeb: The Internet's Garden & Home Community
Join | Garden Forums | Home Forums | Exchanges & Trading | Member Pages | Contact Us
© 2006 iVillage Inc. All Rights Reserved. Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Policies FAQ | Advertising
  
  iVillage Home & Garden Network