I don't think the painting is really that important. The important part is to place it in a sunny spot, and try to get it up as early in the spring as possible.
That's really cool. If I wasn't in an apartment I'd put some up here - I know there are bats here, I see them swooping near the creek at sunset in the summertime. I like them! They eat all the things I don't like.
If you're living in a neighborhood with older houses in it, the bats have probably already found a few nice hot attics to roost in. In more open areas the bat houses can be a lot of help because they substitute for the old rotten trees we humans are always cutting down.
Yes-the bats like it really hot, and the black paint is supposed to help with that. I was going to build some of those flat houses you attach to the side of a building but I always had misgivings about what the bats are supposed to do in the middle of the summer when things are getting TOO hot. None of the other sources addressed that problem very coherently and I was wondering if I was being too picky. Then I saw the presentation for this design where they matter-of-factly mentioned that the bats will choose the sunny side or the shady side of the house depending on their needs for the season or the hour-moving around during the course of the day as needed.
You like my steampunk neotech lair? You should have seen it BEFORE I removed most of the GNDN* pipes and wires!
The northwest bats also hibernate in caves, so they are considered to be at risk if the disease spreads. Bat houses are useful in the summer, but only deep caves can provide enough freezing protection in the winter.
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And this is yet another year I forgot to get a kestrel box up in time. Sigh.
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That's really cool. If I wasn't in an apartment I'd put some up here - I know there are bats here, I see them swooping near the creek at sunset in the summertime. I like them! They eat all the things I don't like.
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Does the black paint keep them warmer? Hope they attact many new guests.
Dude, who's you plumber, H.R.Giger?
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You like my steampunk neotech lair? You should have seen it BEFORE I removed most of the GNDN* pipes and wires!
*Goes nowhere, does nothing
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I keep thinking I should build some bat condo's, but I never get around to it.
Awesome job!
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Cold and soggy Northwest bats
Will you eat my 'skeets and gnats?
Just in case you come my way
Thought I'd build a place to stay.
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