Wooden bat boxes
Wooden bat boxes are usually cubic or retangular, with a grooved ‘bat ladder’ and a narrow entrance slit at the bottom. They can be nailed to trees or walls.
![Wooden bat boxes](https://cdn.bats.org.uk/uploads/images/KentBG_2008.jpg?v=1541084522)
Making your own box
Bats do not like draughts, and prefer well insulated boxes where temperature and humidity remain constant. They also need a rough textured wood to cling to. The wood should not be treated because bats are very sensitive to chemicals. A ‘bat ladder’ or other landing area that leads to an entry slit wide enough to admit bats, but narrow enough to keep out predators is also essential, usually 15 – 20 mm. Once up, a bat box cannot be opened legally without a licence. For more information read about how to maintain your bat box.
Things to remember:
• Make sure joints are well sealed and avoid large, loose-fitting front panels.
• All timber used in bat boxes should be rough sawn (unplaned) and untreated from sustainable sources
• Keep entrance slits small (15 -20mm)
• Removable lids should not be used and the box should not be opened