Plow & Hearth Wildlife Housing>Audubon Bat House Shelter

Beneficial bats eat thousands of bugs a day – mosquitoes, wasps, flies, gnats and mayflies to name a few – and they’re better for the environment than dangerous pesticides. Our natural cedar Bat Shelter lets you lend easy shelter to this most useful creature. Built to Audubon® specifications, this single -chamber shelter gives bats a warm place to roost, protected from wind and predators. No-maintenance, easy-to-clean shelter holds approx. 15-20 bats. As a primary nighttime predator of flying insects, bats play a crucial role in maintaining a balanced ecosystem and protecting crops. By serving as natural pest control, they are beneficial to the environment and prevent garden-destroying bugs from taking over your yard. Unfortunately, due to habitat destruction and widespread disease, bat populations have been decreasing for many years. In order to offset this decline, our bat house provides these creatures with a safe place to roost and raise babies. This hardwood bat house provides protection from predators and weather, and the grooved surfaces make it easy for them to roost. Mount the house on a garage, barn or pole (south or east facing is usually best). Do not mount on a tree as it enables predators, is usually too shady (cold), and the branches impede the bats’ flight. Place the house a minimum of 10′ off the ground to protect against predators; with 15-20′ being even better. You’ll also have a better chance of attracting bats if the house is near a water source, and away from bright lights. Depending upon the bat size and population, this house can hold approx. 15-20 bats. Grooved surface makes it easy for bats to cling when landing and roosting. Crafted from durable, long-lasting cedar; no painting, staining or maintenance required.