Bat Box FAQs

Thank you for purchasing a bat box! With your purchase, you are benefitting bats, farmers, and yourself. Bats are the top consumer of night flying insects, many of which are major agricultural pests. They save farmers billions of dollars a year in pesticides, and they save you from pesky insects! The 100 million Mexican free tailed bats that live in central Texas during the summer consume 2 million pounds of insects, per night. In addition, their presence alone can cause insects to avoid the area.

What bat species might inhabit the bat box? The most common occupants of bat boxes in North America are big brown bats and Mexican free tailed bats.

Will bats pose a threat to my family? Installing a bat box will not increase the chance of bats moving into your home. Just like with any animal feces, avoid inhaling any dust associated with bat droppings. Although bats do have the potential to transmit rabies, less than 0.5% are infected.

Why is my bat box a dark color? Bats lose body heat very quickly, so it is necessary that they roost somewhere warm. Bat Conservation International (BCI) recommends that bat boxes be painted a dark color in areas where the July average high is below 95°F. Dark colors will absorb more heat energy from the sun, which will warm up the interior of the box to be suitable for bats. When installing your bat box, make sure it is in an area where it will receive at least 6 hours of direct daily sun. Although this may seem like it’s going to make the bat box too hot, bats need the internal temperature of their roost to be between 80 and 100°F.

Where do I install my bat box? Bat boxes can be installed on a wooden or metal pole, or on the side of a barn or outer building. They should be 20-30 feet away from trees on all sides, and 12-20 feet above the ground or above the tallest vegetation that is beneath the bat house. When emerging from the box, bats drop about 4 feet before taking flight, so this tall height will help them avoid hitting the ground or waiting predators. Bat boxes should also be within about a ½ mile of a water source. Do not place boxes in an area where it will be lit by bright lights.

When should I expect bats? The best time to install a bat box is in late February to early March, before the migrating species like the Mexican free tailed bat come back to Texas. It may take a few months to a few years for bats to find and utilize the bat box.

How should I maintain the box? Wasps may occupy the bat box when it is not fully occupied by bats, so check for nests and remove any in the late winter or early spring. Re-caulk as necessary so that there are no gaps or cracks in the box, again in the late winter or early spring when the bats are not occupying the box. Do not apply insecticides, as they will harm the bats.

Where can I find installation instructions? Installation instructions for wall mounted and pole mounted bat boxes can be found on the BCI website, www.batcon.org.

Remember, like all mammals, bats do have the potential to transmit rabies. Never attempt to touch or handle a bat that it is on the ground, as it could be sick or injured and may bite out of self-defense.