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

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

Next: External ready-made & integrated bat boxes