We finally got around to doing it; we put up the bat house. I actually made this bat house back when we were in Ohio and then we transported it over here to Missouri when we moved this past summer. I had so many other major projects to do, I just never had the chance to get around to this small project. You know how that is, right? Anyway, here is the bat house:
Yeah, it is blue, which is probably not the optimal color for it, but it was the only extra exterior paint that I had. I am hoping that it will absorb enough heat to attract bats. Since Missouri is so much warmer than Ohio, I think it might be okay.
If you look at this next picture, you will see that our bat house actually has two layers. That way, it can hold a whole bunch of bats.
Stepping back a little bit from the bat house, you can see that I placed it a good distance up a pole. It is actually an old electric service pole. At one point in the past, our barn had electric service, but at some point before we got here, the service was cut. Thankfully, they left the pole!
Attaching a flat object to a round pole can be somewhat challenging, but I rigged up this system of 2x4s to help keep it more stable. I did the same thing with the clothesline, and it has worked great even with a LOT of tension on the lines.
All-in-all, I am very happy with it. And I encourage all of my fellow homesteaders (and anyone else, too!) to think about putting up a bat house. They are super beneficial creatures to have around. I just hope they like the house I made them!
