Help me build a batbox (or choose a kit)

June 27, 2011 11:53 AM

A friend's niece is turning four and loves bats. I would like to build a batbox with her. I have little to no carpentry experience myself and am leaning towards getting a pre-cut kit. Do you have any suggested kits I should use (or worthy organizations selling them)? If we wanted to decorate the batbox, what should we use that would be safe for the bats?

Does anyone have experience with building stuff with kids this young? How do I keep her involved without her sawing off her fingers?

Finally, for mounting, is it possible to just mount them on poles or do they have to be against a house?

posted by anonymous to Home & Garden (2 answers total)

Bat Conservation International sells kits, and can ship them to you. They also provide tips on where and how to mount. I believe that putting the house against a building provides you a better chance of getting the bats to move in. Poke around the site and you'll find a lot of resources. Fun fact: bats can eat their weight in insects a night. Enjoy your mosquito-free yard.
posted by Gilbert at 12:06 PM on June 27, 2011 [2 favorites]

Response by poster: Oops, all of my questions are also answered here.
posted by Anonymous at 12:07 PM on June 27, 2011