Attracting Beneficial Bats

BATS can eat over 1,000 flying insect pests in one night!. Here's some tips on attracting them to your own backyard.

WATER
Water attracts insects; insects attract bats. A natural water source is one of the best ways to attract bats and other beneficial wildlife to your backyard garden.

SHELTER
Planting trees and leaving dead and dying trees standing are wonderful ways to encourage bats to live in your area. Providing a bat shelter is one of the best ways to keep these beneficial creatures around. Mount your bat box securely to the Eastern side of your home, approximately 12-15 feet above ground. For warmth, your bat house should receive at least 6 hours of morning sun. In hotter areas, shade in the afternoon. Be sure to locate it near a permanent source of water, marsh, lake or river. Don't be discouraged if your conditions are not perfect, even natural roosts are seldom ideal.

BAT GARDENS
Creating a bat garden is another way to provide food and shelter for bats. Flowers that release scent at night, such as sweet rocket, evening primrose, nicotiana and soapwort, attract flying insects, which in turn attract bats. Herbs such as chives, borage, mint, marjoram and lemon balm also attract night-flying insects. If possible, leave part of your lawn unmowed during the summer months. This will increase insects whose larvae feed on grasses. Climbing vines such as honeysuckle, ivy, white jasmine or dogrose will provide roosting sites for solitary bats.

LIGHTS
Mercury vapor lights in your backyard will attract insects, and bats will enjoy these easy meals!

SAY NO TO CHEMICALS
Avoid using pesticides, herbicides or other toxic chemicals in your yard. Insectivorous bats consume large quantities of insects, if they are sprayed with toxic substances, the bats will ingest them and become ill or die.

Please help support:
Bat Conservation International, Inc.

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Beneficial Bats

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Bat Houses