"The box should also be in a sunny location, but away from bright lights at night. Bats need water, so bat boxes located within a quarter mile from a river, stream or pond have a better chance of attracting bats to their new home. Bats also need a clear flying zone to and from their houses, so trim back shrubs, limbs and foliage that would block or restrict a bat's movements, clearing a 15- to 20-foot diameter around the box."
"Bats might be creatures of the night, but they require the warmth of the sun to keep their house heated. The location for the box should get 6 to 8 hours of sun, and the entrance should face west, south or southwest. Growing night-blooming plants near the bat box also is a good idea. The blooms will attract insects, which will attract bats."
"It's funny how we can attract bats to places we don't want them to be, yet strike out when it comes to attracting them to places we do want them. It's still a matter of luck, but you can improve your chances by making sure you're meeting all the requirements these marvelous winged mammals seem to have. The first is to install a bat house 12-20 feet above ground - 15 feet seems to be a sweet spot."
Bats nested in the tops of porch columns, and cardboard was used to block spaces after bats flew out. Two cedar bat boxes mounted on ten-foot poles remained unoccupied. Bat houses should be installed twelve to twenty feet above ground, with fifteen feet often ideal. Boxes should be in sunny locations that receive six to eight hours of sun but be kept away from bright nighttime lights. Placement within a quarter mile of water improves chances. Clear a 15- to 20-foot-diameter flight zone, orient entrances west, south, or southwest, and plant night-blooming flowers to attract insects. Occupancy can take time; be patient.
Read at The Mercury News
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