General Bat Box Installation Tips
- Mount on a building or pole. Bat boxes mounted on trees are more vulnerable to predators.
- 12-20 ft. off the ground with at least 10 ft. of clear space below the bat box.
- 20-30 ft. from the nearest trees.
- In an area that receives 6-8 hours of sunlight (especially in the morning).
- Near water source, if possible.
- East or Southeast facing, never west because the box will get too much sun at the end of the day.
Overheating Prevention Tips
During recent years, overheating events have occurred in bat boxes and research is underway to mitigate overheating. The following recommendations can help prevent overheating:
- Install a taller box. 24 inches tall and 16 inches wide is the standard recommendation, but even taller may help with overheating.
- Make sure box has multiple chambers since these will offer a variety of temperatures.
- Paint box white, tan, or gray because this provides surface reflectance and reduces solar absorption.
- Add extra vents in the box to allow cooling.
- Provide an alternate bat box in a shady area as a refuge during the hottest days.
- Consider painting the roof glossy white to help reflect solar radiation.
- Place the box in an area that receives some shade during the hottest part of the day.
- AVOID a dark colored box.