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The Bat House: a Green, Energy Efficient Insect Repellant

by slylee on July 5, 2012

Table of Contents

The Bat House: a Green, Energy Efficient Insect Repellant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Intro: The Bat House: a Green, Energy Efficient Insect Repellant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Step 1: Supplies and Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Step 2: Step 1: Cut the wood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Step 3: Step 2: Paint/ Seal the wood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Step 4: Step 3: Assemble the house . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Step 5: Step 4: Put a roof over their little heads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Step 6: Step 5: Tag it . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Step 7: Step 6: Hang it . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Related Instructables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

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 Author:slylee
I'm a Coral Reef Ecologist/ Biologist/ Toxicologist that is interested in bridging the gaps between primary research and direct implications towards marine
conservation initiatives and public outreach. I spend alot of time trying to improve/hack things, and in my free time I attempt to bring these plans to fruition.

Intro: The Bat House: a Green, Energy Efficient Insect Repellant

It's summer, and you know what that means.......an abundance of nature's flying vermin--mosquitos!

Instead of buying a bug zapper, try building a GREEN, ENERGY EFFICIENT alternative: a bat house!

Bats are mother nature's insecticide, and a single brown bat can eat up to 1,000 mosquitos an hour!
(http://www.eparks.org/wildlife_protection/wildlife_facts/bats/bat_house.asp). Additionally, bats are an essential part of a healthy ecosystem, and their populations have
diminished in recent times due to deforestation and loss of habitat. Lastly, bats are just cool.

Bat houses come in a myriad of shapes and sizes, but I decided to build the most simple version I could find. This is a Single Chamber bat house, and can hold up to 50
bats. This design was based off of the plans from eparks.org (link above).

Step 1: Supplies and Materials

This is a fairly simple build, but you will need some hardware:

The size of your bat house can vary, depending on the amount of wood you have available. Use these measurements as an approximation if your supplies are lacking.

1/2'' or 3/4'' outdoor grade plywood (or whatever you have)

26.5'' x 24'' -- the backboard
16.5'' x 24''
5'' x 24''
1'' x 21.5'' (two)
1'' x 22''
1'' screws
exterior staining or sealant
caulk
black spray paint and tape (optional-for decaling)
shingles, galvanized metal sheet, or left over wood for a roof (optional)
saw
miter saw
table saw
hand saw (if don't have a miter saw or table saw)

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Step 2: Step 1: Cut the wood
1. Using a table saw, cut your 1/2'' or 3/4'' outdoor grade plywood:

26.5'' x 24'' -- the backboard

16.5'' x 24''
5'' x 24''

Then cut the furring strips:

1'' x 21.5'' (two)

1'' x 22''

2. Then, saw grooves throughout the full length of the backboard- this gives the bats something to grip, climb, and hang from in the bat house. The easiest way to do this
is with a miter saw, but if you don't have one (I didn't) you can use a table saw- simply lower the saw height to about 1/4'' and saw lines across the board. If you don't
have a table saw, you could do this with a handsaw or dremmel (warning- this is quite tedious).

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Step 3: Step 2: Paint/ Seal the wood
Apply the wood sealant or stain to the interior of the backboard and outsides of all the pieces.

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Step 4: Step 3: Assemble the house
Attach the furring strips to the outer rim of the backboard with caulk.

Then attach the front top and bottom piece on top with caulk. Leave a 1/2'' vent in between the top and bottom front piece.

Then use screws to secure the pieces together.

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http://www.instructables.com/id/Free-Green-Energy-Efficient-Insect-Repellant/
Step 5: Step 4: Put a roof over their little heads
This is optional, but highly recommended.

You can use shingles, galvanized metal, or left over wood to create a roof for the house.

I simply used some left over pieces and cut the wood at a 45 degree angle for a roof.

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Step 6: Step 5: Tag it
This is also optional, and just as highly recommended.

Make a paper stencil, cut it out, and trace it on some tape on the house. Cut out the stencil, and paint away.

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Step 7: Step 6: Hang it
Using long nails or screws, mount the bat house. According to the National Wildlife Federation, the ideal location is about 10-15ft high, with a clear area below, free from
branches, etc.

Also, NWF says bat houses mounted on poles or on the side of buildings are easier for bats to locate.

I mounted mine on tree, but may move it to a pole soon. It can take up to a year or so for bats to take refuge in your house. But once they do, you'll have these friendly,
cuddly little minions to do your bidding.

I hope you found this Instructable useful, and if you like it, please vote for me in the GREEN TECH Contest by clicking "vote" !

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Comments
3 comments Add Comment

wnordmann says: Jul 5, 2012. 2:11 PM REPLY

Have any bats moved in?

jessyratfink says: Jul 5, 2012. 1:45 PM REPLY

Great design - love the finishing touch with the logo!

slylee says: Jul 5, 2012. 2:06 PM REPLY

why thank you!

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