Bats are fascinating creatures. As the only mammal in the world capable of true flight, it’s no wonder they intrigue us. But did you know they can also eat upwards of 1,000 insects an hour? (Guess you won’t be needing that mosquito repellent or chemical pesticide for your garden!)
Fortunately, you can do a few things to create a welcoming space for bats in your own backyard. Here are five pro tips!
1. Grow native plants.
A flower garden full of native plants is much more than a lovely sight. Rich in pollen and nectar, native plants attract insects that entice hungry, bug-eating bats to your garden.
According to Bat Conservation International, because bats are nocturnal and catch night-flying insects, it’s vital to plant flowers that stay open at night or bloom in the evening. If you’re new to native gardening, you’ll want to find out which flowering plant species are native to your area. This resource from the National Wildlife Federation can help!
2. Avoid pesticides.
There’s no way around it: studies show that pesticides harm bats.
Luckily, bug-eating bats are a natural pest-control alternative, feeding on moths, cucumber beetles, stink bugs, Japanese beetles, potato beetles, and mosquitoes. In fact, a single bat can catch up to 1,000 mosquito-size insects an hour, according to Merlin Tuttle’s Bat Conservation!
Bonus: a pesticide-free backyard not only attracts bats, it’s also good for the environment.
3. Provide a water source.
While having a reliable water source is vital for bats’ survival, it must meet certain criteria to be helpful.
Bats hydrate by swooping down to the surface of a water source, taking a drink, and flying back up and away. Because of this, they need an unobstructed “swoop zone” to retrieve water safely, according to Bat Conservation International.
Open water with at least a 7 to 10-foot “swoop zone” (think: water trough) clear of tree branches, fencing, wires, and other obstructions allows bats to maneuver safely. (Just be sure to change the water regularly or treat it to prevent mosquito larvae).
4. Hang a bat house.
Installing a bat house in your backyard is a great way to make bats feel at home, raise their pups (babies), and avoid predators. If you’re looking for a good option, BatBnb bat houses are recommended by leading bat biologists. Built from sustainably sourced cedar, they provide interior spaces that mimic bats’ natural habitat while capturing heat from direct sunlight.
You’ll want to position your bat house so it receives at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. (In cooler climates, more prolonged exposure to sunlight will be necessary.)
To increase the odds that a bat will take up a residency, carefully select the location of your bat house. Ideally, it should be attached to a building structure 15-20 feet above the ground, with no overhang, balcony, or roof blocking the path beneath the bat house (where the bats enter). Locations like the side of a house, barn, or shed are usually the best options.
Avoid mounting your bat house to a tree, as this positioning often limits sun exposure and allows predators (primarily owls) to perch on nearby branches. If a tree is your only option, select a sunny spot as far from potential predator perches as possible.
5. Interact safely.
There’s no doubt you’ll be curious about your new backyard buddies. While bats generally avoid people, and rabies from bats is extremely rare (averaging one to two cases reported annually in the U.S. and Canada), only trained professionals should handle them.
A safe way you can interact with and learn more about these fuzzy (dare we say cute) flying mammals is by using an Echo Meter Touch 2 bat detector. This shirt-pocket-sized device turns your smartphone into a bat detector, allowing you to hear (and see!) otherwise undetectable ultrasonic bat calls. You'll also be able to identify the most likely species you’ve attracted and get information about them.
More learning
If you want to learn more about bat calls, check out this webinar.
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