Bat Box

Bat guano is by far the most beneficial poo you can use as fertilizer in the garden, right next to worm castings. It’s nitrogen and phosphorous content allows you to use it directly in your soil rather than letting it compost first like chicken poo or manure. Bats also feed on mosquitoes which I think is something we can all praise and be thankful for. It is because of those reasons why hanging bat boxes is desirable. Depending on location, there are specific spots per direction that you should hang your bat box. If you’re building your own, be sure to look up the architecture of a bat box, as they need small confined walls, and it needs to be up high enough for them to drop out.

Ours was built using upcycled wood and pallets, we also put screen on the inside wall to make it easier to access the full length of the box. We were able to secure it to an existing post on our fence a good 10 ft off the ground, and the back of our fence drops another 10 ft, so they have a 20 ft drop if they used it that way. Bats pretty much keep to themselves, coming out to hunt at night as they are nocturnal. I personally enjoy seeing the bats circling around at dusk, by giving them a home you’re keeping them away from potential issues with chimneys or other areas they are unwanted, and keeping them from becoming the victims of pest or animal control. They are pretty low maintenance, it’s just like hanging a bird feeder, they come and go as they please, just knowing that you are adding to the bigger picture of things is so rewarding in itself.

You can find already made bat boxes at any wildlife center, or in some major sporting good stores, and be sure to collect that guano if you do plan to keep bats on your homestead!