Build and install a bat house for next spring

I am on the verge of a bigger goal for next year about turning the back yard into something more nature-y and livable, but today I just picked up two more books from the library.

Well, one’s nearly just a pamphlet-ish thing. The other is Beastly Abodes.

This one is not only bat houses, but things for butterflies, birds and other wildlife. I’m hoping to find some inspiration and ideas.

Last night on the local news (I know, fear central!), we apparently have had mosquitoes test positive for West Nile virus.

I generally don’t buy into this, but this summer seems like a fear-laced summer. A recipe I’m trying tomorrow had to have a pepper substitution because our grocery isn’t carrying any jalapenos due to the salmonella outbreak. That was decided just after we got tomatoes back! And a local grocer was found to be selling ground beef that had e-coli. Now it’s the West Nile!

Point being, I’m growing some of my own veggies now, so that solves issues. I go to butchers for meat, so it’s a bit more reliable. The bat house will invite bats. Bats eat their body weight every day in mosquitoes.

I need to stop watching the local news!

These plans are pretty straightforward. I’m more midwest than southwest, but some friendly boards have found people in Ohio with successful installs. I love that it’s a great way to control mosquitoes and to give bats a place to rest after their insect banquet.

Before spring, there’s the following to get done:
- Acquisition of building materials.
- Construction of box.
- Design of appropriate mount (do we get a pole? can I make a bat-box extension on the back porch? do I try something different?).

Either way, I love having more nature around. The bird feeders have already been a great deal of fun and we’ve had nests this year, so I think the bats will be a good addition. Pic is basically what we’re hoping ours looks like.