We’ve published a lot about our local Adirondack bats on this site, and we’ve told you about how the bat populations have been dropping because of the spread of the devastating new disease White-nose Syndrome along the Eastern US. Bats are an extremely useful member of an ecosystem, so it is a sad loss that so many have died. This disease is easily spreadable among bats who cluster together in caves, so one way that you can help is to give a home to bats near you.

Watch the video below for a step-by-step guide on how to build your own bat house! You won’t only be helping the bats, but you will benefit as well when the bats eat all the troublesome insects around your home.

Check out the Organization for Bat Conservation website for a complete list of materials and plans.

Buy a Bat House

You can also order already made bat houses from the Organization for Bat Conservation.  See their promotion below to learn more (all proceeds go toward bat conservation):

Invite a colony of insect-eating bats into your yard with an OBC Bat House. These bat houses have been designed by bat researchers in order to promote occupancy rates. The interior chamber surfaces and long landing platform are fitted with polyethylene mesh to aid in maneuverability. Bat houses with only grooved wood inside do not adequately allow for baby bats to grip. The slanted roof and fully caulked sides offer warmer temperatures and prevent the bat house from rain and chill. This house may be mounted to a vertical surface with the predrilled hole on the top and bottom. (OBC)

There are also other online retailers available. Search for the best fit for you!

Related articles

• Summer Bat Sightings (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
• Bat Houses (linicraft.wordpress.com)
• Bat House Tutorial (sincerelykendra.wordpress.com)
• Mysterious deadly bat disease still spreading across U.S. (nbcnews.com)
• Scientists Identify Key Fungal Species That Help Explain Mysteries of White Nose Syndrome (gogreennation.org)