Where to site your Bat Box

 Your Bat Box.

  

To protect bats against further population declines all UK bats and their roosts are protected by law, and for this reason your bat box is designed not to be opened and is self-cleaning.

Putting up your box

Boxes are more likely to be used if they are located where bats are known to feed. Ideally, several boxes should be put up facing in different directions to provide a range of conditions. Boxes should be put as high as possible in sheltered sunny places. On buildings, boxes should be placed as close to the eaves as possible.  Some bats use a tree line or hedgerow for navigation. Putting boxes near these features may help the bats find the box. 

Locate boxes:

• Where bats are known to feed close to hedges and tree lines
• Ideally at least 4m above the ground (where safe installation is possible)
• Sheltered from strong winds and exposed to the sun for part of the day (usually south or south-west)

Bats need time to find and explore new homes, and it may be several months or even years before boxes have residents – be patient! Once bats find a place they want to live they can return over and over again. Droppings on the landing area, urine stains around the lower parts of the box and chittering noises from inside on warm afternoons and evenings are signs of occupation.