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Bobcaygeon Ontario

All summer long I get chewed alive by mosquitos while taking care of my pumpkins. Anybody use bat boxes to control bugs with any success?

1/6/2003 7:42:13 PM

Topsfield, Ma.

Id certainly give bat boxes a shot if I was you. I've been blessed with a bat family or two that returns each spring to my barn to hang out, and do whatever bats do ! Haven't needed to hang the bat box I was given some years ago, in fact, e-mail me if you have any difficulties finding a bat box, you can have it for shipping costs !

1/6/2003 8:14:11 PM

[email protected]

I've had an empty Bat box up on the North facing wall of my garage for a few year now & no Bats yet. And they are in this area too. I'm wondering if I've placed it incorrectly. It's probably no more than 8 feet off the ground. By now, the directions for mounting are long gone too.
Anyone know if bats have a preferance of location?

Steve

1/6/2003 8:38:39 PM

Bobcaygeon Ontario

duff, Thankyou for your offer but for now I think I can get some locally.
Tremor, I have read that it is best to have your box 12-15 feet off the ground facing south,this may help.

1/6/2003 9:43:11 PM

Connecticut

Bat boxes should be hung twenty feet off the ground facing west according to the directions I read. It takes up to three years for the bats to find them.Mine have been up for three years and still no bats.although there are bats living somewhere on the property. we like to lie back on the dock near the pond and watch them. But the average adult bat can eat up to 5000 mosquitos a night. So the benifits of having a family of bats around are huge. Dennis

1/6/2003 10:07:10 PM

we have a colony of bats living in the eves of our house..for years we had bat boxes up never could get any to go live in them ,to comfy in the eves..john

1/7/2003 5:22:14 AM

Stafford, Virginia

South and west wall, 20' up, against something that gets "hot" during the day and retains heat into the night. Abrick surface, underneath some overhang to keep rain off the box. Bats like a roost that can get to 140F. As for getting them to find the new bat box - contact an exterminator and ask them to notify you when they have remove a HEALTHY colony - get a cup full of fresh droppings and "dress" the inside and entrance of your box. CAUTION - if you get involved it's best to wear a respirator when dealing with dry bat guano if you have to remove it yourself - bats can pass on respirtory infections this way - bats otherwise are very very clean. Good luck.

1/7/2003 9:06:14 AM

Bemidji, MN

May also want to consider buiding a martin house. We get a huge flock(about 25) in our house each summer and they put a whopping on the bugs.Steve

1/7/2003 9:57:17 AM

Edmonton, Canada

I think the above post is worth looking into. Puple Martin's are very common birds in Canada in the summer, and they apperently eat their body weight in mosquito's every day. If you get a few nesting pairs they'll make a big difference, and they're a nice bird to have around.

1/7/2003 10:02:22 AM

[email protected]

Sounds like it's time to move mine to the chimney! With all the WNV around here, it may prove a wise decision.

Steve

1/7/2003 12:11:12 PM

Central Connecticut

Bat boxes should also be located where it is clear directly below the entrance. I've been told by the "bat lady" of Connecticut that poles are prefered to trees...Chris

1/7/2003 12:28:13 PM

[email protected]

Chris,

Any idea how far down from the opening must remain clear? Probably so they can "swoop" in & out???

Steve

1/7/2003 3:49:30 PM

Central Connecticut

Yep that's my understanding. I don't recall exactly but 15' rings a bell. I've had a house on a tree for 2 years without any bat inhabitants. The bat lady spoke to my sons cub scout pack last spring but I never got a chance to move the house to pole...to many weeds to pick in the garden :) ....maybe this year....Chris

1/7/2003 4:29:56 PM

Pulaski Tn [email protected]

cOME ONE REN..DO YOU REALLY HAVE SKEETERS OR YOU TRYING TO GROW SOME THAT WACKY TOEBACKY???

1/8/2003 2:26:33 PM

Bobcaygeon Ontario

Thanks to all for your thoughts and ideas.
blkcloud...no wacky tobacky here, just lots of skeeters,lol

1/8/2003 4:35:56 PM

Montoursville, PA

Did anyone mention Jenny Wren? She is a busy body too.

1/8/2003 5:09:41 PM