5 KEY FACTORS OF A GREAT BAT HOUSE
WORKING WITH MERLIN TUTTLE
There’s a reason we chose to work with Merlin Tuttle: He’s the best there is and he has a high bar for quality. Aside from his 60 years of experience working with and advocating for bats, Merlin also wrote the book on building bat houses. From the start, we worked with Merlin as we designed our bat houses, and we used his recommendations as our design constraints.
“Seeing well intended people disappointed by cheap, “imitation” bat houses troubles
me greatly. It gives good conservation a bad name. The BatBnB line of houses is the
first to be developed for mass sale that meets all my personal criteria. I have been
involved in the design and construction of these houses from the beginning and am
happy to endorse them as unsurpassed in meeting bat needs, resisting deterioration,
and still looking great.”
— MERLIN TUTTLE // MERLIN TUTTLE'S BAT CONSERVATION
LET’S DIG INTO THE SPECIFICS
| GENERAL | AVERAGE BATHOUSE | BATBNB DUAL CHAMBER |
|---|---|---|
| Chambers | 1 | 2 |
|
Comfortably Fits... |
<20 Bats | 100-200 Bats |
Chambers: More chambers create a larger thermal mass, meaning happier, warmer bats.
Single chamber bat houses can also be very successful but have a smaller thermal mass,
which should be considered when choosing your BatBnB placement.
Fitting more comfortably: More bats means a larger insect-fighting force.
| KEY FEATURES | AVERAGE BATHOUSE | BATBNB DUAL CHAMBER |
|---|---|---|
|
Chamber Height: 20" minimum |
9" | 20"-29" |
|
Chamber Height: 14" minimum |
8" | 16" |
|
Chamber Depth: 3/4"-1" |
2" | 3/4" |
|
Ventilation in Hot Climates |
None | (2) 6" Vents on Each side |
|
Proper Grip: 1/2" Intervals |
Plastic Mesh | Machine Cut Grooves 1/2" Intervals |
|
Caulking & Sealant |
None | Clear Residential Grade Silicone |
|
Spacious Landing Pads |
34 sq. inches | 159 sq. inches |
Chamber Depth: 3/4 Chambers is the perfect size to keep a bat warm and safe from the entrance of predators and wasps.
Proper Grip: Machine cut grooves create a durable, effective grip that arent in any way dangerous to the inhabitant.
| CONSTRUCTION FEATURES | AVERAGE BATHOUSE | BATBNB DUAL CHAMBER |
|---|---|---|
|
Exterior Grade Wood |
Plywood or Pine |
Western Red cedar (thuja plicata) |
|
Exterior grade Mounting Hardware |
Not Included | Stainless Steel |
| Finish | None | Residential Grade Stain/Sealer Applied |
|
Construction & Assembely |
pneumatic Nails | Dovetail Joinery |
|
Roof Slope & Overhang |
No Slope, Overhang on 2 sides | 15 Degree Slope, Overhang on all Sides |
|
Hanging System |
Not Included | Simple Quick French Cleat System Included |
| Design | None | Unique, Enguaging, Attractive |
Informationial Booklet |
Not Included |
Instructions for Location, Mounting, & Facts About Bats |
Design: More than just a home for bats, BatBnB's add aesthetic flare to your outdoor space.
Finish: A sloped roof and roof overhangs help shed moisture from the bat house, allowing it to last longer and keep the inhabitants dry.