Though bats are often viewed in a negative light, they are actually very beneficial to have around, particularly if you live in a wooded area where mosquitoes and gnats are prevalent. A single bat can eat up to 1,000 mosquitoes in one night. To attract bats to live near you, build a bat house. Bats like dark, cave-like dwellings, so a bat house offers them a perfect place to reside. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Cut 3 pieces of 1/2-inch plywood into the following dimensions: one 26 1/2 inches by 24 inches, one 16 1/2 inches by 24 inches and one 5 inches by 24 inches.
2. Make lines with a pencil 1/2-inch apart along the entire length of the back piece (26 1/2 by 24-inch piece of plywood). Then cut along the lines with a circular saw to a depth of about 1/16-inch.
3. Apply a dark stain to the interior parts of the plywood. Don't use paint, as this fills in the grooves cut in Step 2.
4. Measure and cut the furring strip into three pieces: one 24 inches in length and two pieces 20 1/2 inches in length. Attach two shorter furring strips to the short sides and the 24-inch strip to the long side of the back piece.
5. Attach the 16 1/2-inch by 24-inch plywood to the furring strips. Leave a 1/2-inch gap for ventilation, then attach the 5-inch by 24-inch piece below the top piece. Now there is an 11 1/2-inch, exposed part of the back piece that acts as a climbing point where the bats can land and crawl into the chamber.
6. Caulk all joints to seal the bat house chamber. Attach a 1-inch by 3-inch board for a roof. Then paint or stain the exterior of the bat house. Mount on a building such as a shed or garage.
Tags: inches inches, inches inches inches, back piece, 24-inch piece, furring strips