Bats and humans can live near each other in harmony. Installing a bat house is one way to attract bats or provide an alternative roost for evicted bats. Bat houses may be purchased or you can build one. An organization call Bat Conservation International, Inc. (BCI) is an excellent resource for information about bats. They provide The Bat House Builders Handbook if you need plans to build a bat house. The BCI website is: http://www.batcon.org

If you purchase a bat house, make sure is has the BCI Bat Approved certification and learn how to install it properly.Many bat houses fail because of poor design or its location does not meet the needs of the bats. Bats like their houses hot. In Montana, bat houses need to be painted black or a very dark color, and hung on a building or pole where they receive at least 8 hours of direct sunlight a day. Southeast facing exposures are best, to warm the house quickly after a cold night.

Enjoy Montanas bats; they are some of our more beneficial and fascinating wildlife residents.