Customer Reviews

The Bat House Builder's Handbook

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Bats have to be one of the most mis-understood critters in the animal world. They are very helpful in controlling the insect level and help promote a healthy environment. Although small in size, 34 pages, this handbook contains several bat house patterns and variations of sizes, hints for successful bat house placement and the results of years of research on actual bat house conditions.

This book was purchased for use in an Eagle Scout project to build bat houses and help educate the community to the helpfulness the bats will bring to the overall environment. Using the guidance of this book, the Eagle Scout project was able to determine the right placement, color and size of the bat houses for the area and ensured a high occupancy rate.

The plans for building the bat house were precise and simple to follow. The Scouts (12-16 year olds) were able to read the plans, purchase the wood, cut the wood and assemble the bat houses without one major problem. AND they were very good looking bat houses as well as very suitable for the future inhabitants. They built 8 nursery bat houses for placement around the local inland lake. Requests to build more bat houses for homeowners use on their own property, might turn this project into an annual fundraising event for the Scouts.

This book contains all the information needed to get started in building a bat house, placement of the bat house and tips to ensure a high occupancy rate of the bat house and some great general information about bats. A GREAT resourse tool!!

I've searched the web for bat house plans and information, and found the information to be very spotty and inconsistent. This book reflects the results of Bat Conservation International's "North American Bat House Research Project", which has been collecting data on thousands of bat houses for over 10 years. The book has detailed plans for a small economy house, a large economy house, and a nursery house, plus LOTS of information on bat preferences and ideas for experimentation. I built the nursery-style bat house, and it was occupied last year.

This is an excellent source of information on bats as well as their abodes. The book contains the results of years of research on size, color and placement of bathouses. Builders are even invited to participate in ongoing bat research through membership in Bat Conservation International (application card included). There is lots of information on the importance of bats in the environment; their almost insatiable appetite for harmful insects. There is also information on identifying the species of North American bats you may host, including B&W Pictures.

There are detailed plans giving the size and spacing of roosting boards, openings and ventilation of your houses. He gives a source for the netting that you need to cover the roosts with, but I am using the mesh bags from onions as a substitute. I was able to find some dark colored ones that will be appropriate.

My wife is looking forward to collecting guano (poopoo) from under the houses - bat guano is an excellent source of free fertilizer for your porch plants.

If you are looking to build a bat house, you must read this book. There is too much information in it that you don't want to miss. Not only does it have plans for several different types of bat houses, it also lets you know where to put them, what color to paint them what kind of bats will live in them etc. etc. etc.

I am certain that this book greatly increases your odds of building a successful bat house. Don't miss it!

It is good to know that there is a resource that lets serious conservationists (Professional and the back-yard watchers) know how to make bat boxes the right way. There are so many incorrectly made and wrongly placed bat-boxes out there. I have noticed that most people are generally receptive to the idea of attracting bats, once educated, but soon they will get easily discouraged or even worse, passive, if their bat house is a failure. This book shows folks how to do it the right way..and there IS a right way! If you really want to know how to help bats, READ and DO what this book advises!

I am new to bat house building. This book is a must for everyone like me or those who are currently having problems with their bat houses. The book is clearly written, so it is easy to follow.

Maybe I'm too sold on what's marketed as variety.

I agree with what other reviewers have said, that these are good bathouses and the instructions are easy to follow. I just wish there were a little more variety in terms of design.

The book, by the way, over and above the houses does have some reference information on bats including where to put the houses. That was helpful.

If you're into bats, and would like to make your own houses, this is the book I would recommend.

This Guide is frequently revised utilizilizing information obtained by bat lover volunteers through Bat Conservation International, Inc. A NON PROFIT organization dedicated to preserving the dwindling populations of many bat species. The volunteers are everyday people who have taken the time and made the effort to build bat houses to supplement the threatened natural habitats of bats. They check the houses and report their findings to BatCon. Population, species, type of colony - nursing, bachelor, etc.
The success or failure of bat houses and bats natural characteristics are still not an exact science. Thus the ongoing research.
Bats are misunderstood. They provide countless benefits to man. They are interesting to observe.
My family has enjoyed countless hours building bat houses, placing them and tracking our success in attracting bats.
This book is a great starting place if you have an interest in wildlife conservation.

This book is helpful. I advise anybody interested in becoming involved with bats to purchase. It will help any bat novice to build a succesful bat house with high habitation percentiles.

The Bat House Builder's Handbook is an excellent how-to information on building bat houses book that I ever seen and read. This book is filled with get helpful information,photos,and more.

This is a really excellent book. Excellent for those who really care on protection,and preserving bats.