One of our Media Club members made a bathouse with his dad (see the photo above). Here is an interview with him:
Question: Was it hard to build?
Answer: No, it wasn't too hard because my dad helped.
Question: What materials did you use?
Answer: We used some wood that we had in our garage...it cannot be chemically treated though. The wood should be rough enough so the bat can climb around in it and hold on to it. Also, make sure the opening underneath is only 3/4 inch to one inch wide.
Question: How did you know how to make it?
Answer: We followed instructions we got from the forestry service. You can also get bat kits from the Boy Scouts of America.
Question: Where do you put the bat house?
Answer: You should hang it between 10-15 feet above the ground. Make sure there is water near and it is near plants. A warm east wall of a building or the side of a tree, or pole is best because that is where the morning sun is.
Question: When will bats move in?
Answer: If you put the house up in the early spring there might be bats within a few weeks. It could take even two years though for a bat to find the house.
Even so, it is a good idea to build one so that if a bat needs a house he can use it.
**To find out more about bat houses...go to "The Virtual Bat House"