Bat Boxes
Bat boxes provide artificial roosts sites and are important for conservation and research. There are various designs from wooden boxes to concrete style assembled boxes. Wooden bat boxes can be nailed to trees or walls but Bats do not like draughts and prefer well insulated boxes where temperature and humidity remain constant. They also need a rough textured wood to cling to if this material is being used. The wood should not be treated because bats are sensitive to chemicals. As well as being one of the most threatened types of mammal in Britain, bats are also among the most misunderstood. Far from being nasty dangerous animals, they are attractive small, furry insect eaters which need all the help they can get.
Boxes are more likely to be used if they are located where bats are known to feed. Ideally, several boxes should be put up facing in different directions to provide a range of conditions. Boxes should be put as high as possible in sheltered sunny places.
