Small bat house design plans are a great way to provide bats with shelter, food, and safety from predators. Bats are an important part of our environment and play an essential role in keeping certain insect numbers in check. By providing a bat house, you can help support their natural habitat while still maintaining your outdoor living space. There are a variety of simple, easy-to-build bat house designs that can be made using either wood or plastic materials. Let’s take a look at the different bat house plans that can be used.Small Bat House Design Plans
Small Bat House Design Plans
Small wooden bat house designs are popular because they are relatively easy to build and generally more affordable than their plastic counterparts. The basic design for a wooden bat house is quite simple and can be constructed out of plywood or other types of wood. All that’s needed is some basic tools (hammer, saw, drill, etc.) and the wood. The size of the house will depend on the size of the bat species that will inhabit it; larger species require a larger house and vice versa.Small Wooden Bat House Designs
Small Wooden Bat House Designs
If you’re looking to build a small bat house in your backyard, the first thing you need to do is determine the species of bat you’ll be providing the house for. Once that’s established, you can decide on the size and design needed for their home. When constructing the house, make sure to put the entrance opening and ventilation slots (places for air to move in and out) in the correct spots, as bats rely on these for proper functioning of their living space. The height of the house should be chosen based on the geographical location and the type of bat inhabiting it.Build a Small Bat House
Build a Small Bat House
DIY small bat house designs are a great way to save on cost while still providing a suitable shelter for bats. There are plenty of simple bat house design ideas and plans out there to choose from, so regardless of your skill level you should be able to find a plan that suits your needs. Again, you’ll want to factor in the size of the bat species that will be inhabiting the house to determine the size and design that is needed for the home.DIY Small Bat House Designs
DIY Small Bat House Designs
Before trying to tackle any small bat house instructions, make sure that you’ve fully researched the type of bat species you’ll be accommodating and you have a plan ready to go. Many instructional guides online will provide plans and blueprints that include key measurements that need to be followed. For optics, the top of the house should have a gentle curve while the interior should have ridges for different sized bats to inhabit. Also, make sure to use weather resistant materials such as cedar or certain types of plastic.Small Bat House Instructions
Small Bat House Instructions
For those looking for more intricate bat house designs and blueprints, there are more advanced plans out there that contain much more detailed instructions and measurements. These are much more complicated and may not be suitable for beginners. However, they are great for more experienced builders who want to incorporate more detailed features such as extra ventilation, windows, etc. These plans can usually be found in downloadable PDF versions, as well as online in full-color pictures and diagrams.Bat House Designs and Blueprints
Bat House Designs and Blueprints
For those who are brand new to creating small bat houses, it’s important to take a look at some easy beginner plans first. There are plenty of resources online that provide in-depth instructions for building simple bat houses that can be done in just a few hours. Be sure to use the correct type of wood, keeping in mind the unique characteristics of the bat species that will inhabit the house. Also, make sure to properly seal all of the materials you use with a weather-based sealant to help ensure maximum protection.Creating Small Bat Houses
Creating Small Bat Houses
When it comes to beneficial bat house ideas, consider placement of the house and the type of material you’ll be using. Bats prefer certain climates, so make sure the house is placed in an area that they will find suitable. Also, pine, cedar or certain types of plastic are usually recommended materials for construction due to their durability and weather-resistant qualities. Finally, you may want to choose a design that is angled slightly to the south to help collect more sunlight and warmth.Beneficial Bat House Ideas
Beneficial Bat House Ideas
If you’re just starting out and need a bit of help with construction, bat house kits for beginners are available online. Usually these kits come with all the materials (wood, tools, etc.) that are required to build a basic house. Plus, the instructions usually take into account the size and design needs of different bat species. Some kits can even be customized with different colors, materials and other features to give you the exact house you need.Bat House Kits for Beginners
Bat House Kits for Beginners
To wrap up, some small bat house construction tips that can help beginners and experienced builders alike include making sure that the entrance is properly placed, using weather-resistant materials and sealing all of the seams with a weather-based sealant. Also, make sure to give the house plenty of ventilation by using mesh or starburst patterns in the structure. Finally, keep in mind the desired size of the bat species that will be occupying the house to ensure that they are provided with the adequate size of shelter.Small Bat House Construction Tips
Small Bat House Construction Tips
Types of Small Bat House Design
The size of the design of a bat house will naturally vary depending on the intended purpose and the number of bats you are hoping to provide shelter for.
Small bat house designs
typically range from about 30 to 45 centimeters wide, divided into 1-3 chambers.
Single Chamber Small Bat House Design
One popular
small bat house design
consists of a single chamber with a floor area of at least 15 cm by 30 cm, and a height of approximately 20 cm. The roof should be angled from the front to back at a 30-degree angle sloping downward, to ensure proper drainage. The walls should have a minimum inner height of 10-15 cm to offer enough room for the bats to roost. Additionally, vented walls are integral to the single-chamber design, as they provide air circulation as well as protection from predators.
Two and Three Chamber Small Bat House Design
For species that require more space, such as the larger Brazilian free-tailed bat, a two-chamber or three-chamber design with an internal floor area of up to 43 cm by 24 cm is recommended. For the two chamber design, the floors of each chamber should be no deeper than 15 cm, and the same minimum inner height dimensions should be considered. Furthermore, the two chambers should be separated by an air chamber of minimum 3 cm and should also be ventilated.
The three-chamber design will have chambers of the same area size as the two-chamber design, however the air chamber should be no more than 6 cm deep. Here also, the ventilated walls are essential for the wellbeing of the bats, in order to ensure optimal air circulation within the house.
Features of Small Bat House Design
No matter which design is chosen, there are some features that should apply to all
small bat house designs
. Firstly, proper siting of the house should take into consideration the sun exposure, as they should be positioned in areas that experience full sun at least an hour after sunrise. Additionally, bat houses should be positioned roughly 8-15 meters above the ground, and should be spaced at least 6 meters apart in order to avoid competition for food or conflicts between colonies.
In addition, it is essential to install the bat house in areas that are quiet in order to allow the bats to rest. For this reason, it is important to check local regulations – some locations may not be conducive for bat houses due to the level of traffic or noise. Finally, it is important to ensure that the house design has an opening of approximately 2.5 cm in order to facilitate the entrance of the bats.
How to Construct a Small Bat House Design
For those who plan to construct a
small bat house design
, certain materials are necessary. Generally, a combination of plywood and cedar is recommended, as this combination provides a sturdy, yet lightweight house. The plywood material ensures structural stability while also protecting against the weather, while the cedar provides insulation. Furthermore, nails should be stainless steel or aluminum, as they provide a more secure connection than screws. Additionally calk should be used at all joints to prevent water infiltration.
Once the materials are assembled, a planting trough should also be constructed in order to promote vegetation growth in the area. Furthermore, this planting trough should have soil with good fertilizer and should not contain any chemicals that could be harmful to the bats.
Conclusion
When built properly, these
small bat house designs
can provide an ideal shelter for the bats, protecting them from the elements and other predators. Additionally, these designs can vary depending on the species of bat and the local environment, as well as the size and number of bats the house is intended to accommodate. If the construction materials and site selection criteria are followed, this type of winged creature can benefit from having these small house designs.
