If you’re looking to give your orchard, garden or homestead a natural boost in pest control, consider putting up a bat house. These often-overlooked creatures are like the night shift of your garden, swooping in to help keep your crops healthy while you sleep.

I fell in love with bats when I visited Bali and explored a massive cave teeming with thousands of them. What struck me most was how these bats lived side by side with a giant python. The python, with its food source right next to it, didn’t disrupt the harmony of the cave. The bats took full advantage of the cave’s natural protection, roosting safely in the dark recesses while going out at night to hunt. It was a perfect balance of nature.

Natural Pest Control
Bats are voracious insect eaters. A single bat can devour up to 1,000 insects in an hour and, depending on the species, may consume about 6,000-8,000 bugs every night. Over the course of a year, that adds up to millions of insects! That’s a lot of mosquitoes, moths, beetles, and other pests that would otherwise be munching on your fruit, veggies, or leaves.

In the Okanagan region, bats help control a variety of common pests. They not only feed on mosquitos, but also eat moths like the codling moth, whose larvae are notorious for damaging apple and pear crops. Other insects on a bat’s menu include beetles, flies, and midges—all of which can pose a threat to your garden and orchard.

Bat Preferences: Location, Location, Location
When it comes to setting up a bat house, location is key. While you might think hanging one in a tree is the way to go, bats often prefer a bat house mounted on a pole or the side of a building. Why? Trees can harbour predators like owls and snakes that make bats nervous. A bat house on a pole or a building is safest for our bat buddies.

Bats also prefer their houses to be placed about 12-20 feet off the ground and in a spot that gets plenty of sunlight—about six to eight hours a day. This keeps the house warm, just the way bats like it.

Building Your Own Bat House
You don’t need to be a master carpenter to build a bat house. With a few basic materials, you can create a bat-friendly environment that will benefit your orchard or homestead for years to come. If not they are readily available online!

Materials:

• Cedar or exterior-grade plywood: Durable and weather-resistant.
• Screws and exterior-grade wood glue: To hold it all together.
• Dark, non-toxic paint or stain: To help absorb sunlight and keep the house warm. (We use dark paint in the Okanagan)
• Mesh or screen: Provides a grip for bats as they climb inside.

Instructions:

1. Cut the wood: You’ll need a back panel (about 24 inches tall), two side panels (20 inches tall, 3 inches wide), a roof panel (4 inches wide, slanted for rain runoff), and a front panel (about 16 inches tall).
2. Assemble the house: Attach the side panels to the back panel with screws and glue. Then, attach the front panel, leaving a small gap at the bottom (about 1/2 inch) for ventilation.
3. Add the roof: Attach the roof panel at a slight angle to help with rain drainage.
4. Paint and install: Paint the exterior with dark, non-toxic paint to help absorb heat. Mount your bat house on a pole or building, following the placement guidelines mentioned earlier.

A Year-Round Benefit
Putting up a bat house isn’t just a summer project. Bats will return year after year if they find a spot they like. In the winter, some species of bats will hibernate in their houses, helping to keep your orchard’s ecosystem balanced year-round.

Bats might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of maintaining a healthy homestead or orchard, but they’re one of the best natural pest controls out there. Plus, giving bats a home helps protect these important but often misunderstood creatures. So, the next time you’re looking to improve your homestead or orchard, consider putting up a bat house—it’s a small addition that can make a big difference.

With Bliss xo