Photo: istockphoto.com
Bat populations are in decline, which is one reason homeowners should consider adding a bat house to their property. Having a bat house is mutually beneficial. Bats have a safe environment to live, and in return, they feast on insects like mosquitoes, moths, and beetles – which means you use fewer pesticides and still control the pests in your yard. Another perk is their high-nitrogen guano, which makes great fertilizer for many plants.
These animals are perfectly safe to have around, as long as you don’t have bats inside your home. With the right design, proper mounting, and thoughtful bat house location (bats like to be away from lights and close to water), you’ll have bats moving into the neighborhood in no time.
1. Home for a Small Colony
Photo: johnmarc33 via Etsy
Using these clear and easy-to-follow bat box plans from Etsy seller Johnmarc33, you can build a wooden bat house in an afternoon. Follow the color pictures and guidelines to create a simple bat house made from short planks of wood. These bat house plans feature multiple interior mesh chambers for the bats to make themselves at home and find the chamber with their preferred temperature. This design has an angled roof for rain, secure mounting options, and a long and wide landing strip for bats to grip.
Get the Johnmarc33 Downloadable Bat House Plans for $8.95.
2. A Bat House Bungalow
Photo: rockler.com
Keep bats out of your house and give them a place of their own. Rockler’s simple and effective bat house design is meant for mounting on a pole or the side of a building. This easy bat house plan is a great family project. It can help teach kids how bats live, and the benefits of having them around. Aside from eating hundreds (if not thousands) of insects each night, bats are great neighbors, generally keeping pretty quiet and cozy in this bungalow during the day.
Get the Bat House Bungalow Plans at Rockler for $7.95.
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3. Cool Bat Cave
Photo: GTownCreative via Etsy
If you’re looking to build a bat house with a Gotham City vibe, these plans from Etsy merchant GTownCreativeFusion might be just the ticket. The project comes together with glue, brad nails, and a single ½-inch cedar fence picket. The completed house measures 6 inches by 18.5 inches; paint it gray (as pictured) or even black to complete the DC Comics feel.
Get the GTownCreative Fusion 360 Bat House Model at Etsy for $10.
4. A Build-Your-Own Bat House Kit
Photo: WoodenHabitats via Etsy
Depending on the type of DIYer you are, you may want a bat house setup that streamlines the project. Etsy seller WoodenHabitats provides all the materials you need to put a bat house together, and can even pre-drill the holes for you. Along with the pine wood, mesh, and instructions for assembly, this bat house kit comes with a color map for those who want to paint the abode in colors that benefit the bats (paint not included).
Get the WoodenHabitats Build-Your-Own Bat House Kit on Etsy for $30.
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5. Summer Home for Bats
Photo: woodcraft.com
Like some other winged creatures we know, bats in colder areas may head south for the winter if they’re not able to hibernate. This Woodcraft economy bat house is a wonderful choice for areas that only attract bats during the summer months. These bat house plans include a list of materials, schematics, and directions for assembly. Once complete, the bat house measures 12.5 inches wide by 16.5 inches tall by 3 inches deep, for a small and sufficient bat house design.
Get the Economy Bat House Downloadable Plan at Woodcraft for $5.99.
6. Bat House for a Woodworker
Photo: WhittsWorkshop via Etsy
For those who really like to sink their teeth into a project, this two-chamber bat house plan is a terrific way to spend an afternoon. Etsy seller WhittsWorkshop recommends building this structure out of cedar or pine, as plywood doesn’t seem to last in inclement weather. These bat house plans require some knowledge of cutting and assembly, making them an appropriate fit for a woodworker with knowledge of tools.
Get the WhittsWorkshop Cedar or Pine Bat House Plans at Etsy for $6.95.
RELATED: 12 Ways to Be a Good Neighbor to Your Backyard Wildlife
7. Beautify a Bat House
Photo: NelsonNatureShop via Etsy
Bats are wild animals, and usually seek shelter in trees or rocks. Etsy merchant NelsonNatureShop has built nature into its design that’s meant to mimic the feeling of being in a tree or natural rock crack. This kit includes a premade bat house—no assembly or bat house plans required. These bat houses come with acrylic paints and brushes, allowing nature lovers to focus on making the home look nice instead of assembling it. The cedar bat house is 20 inches tall and 5.5 inches wide, with a rough texture for better bat grip.
