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Bat houses, like the one shown here, provide needed roosts for bats as they face an increase in habitat destruction. This house can hold up to 30 bats.

MATERIALS:

One - 1" x 7 1/2" x 6' board of rough-cut lumber, preferably cedar (Figure 1); 28-1 1/2" flathead wood screws number eights; two - 10-penny nails

TOOLS:

Pencil, tape measure, saw, screwdriver, carpenter's square, drill with l/8" drill bit

CONSTRUCTION:

1. With a pencil, measure one piece 7 1/2" x 3 1/2" (Roof - A); one piece 7 1/2" wide x 25" long (Back - B); one piece 7 1/2" wide x 21 1/2" long (Front - C); two pieces 21 1/2" long x 1 1/2" wide (Side - D); one piece 3/4" wide x 6" long (Entrance Spacer - E) and one piece 1 1/2" wide x 6" long (Ceiling - F).

2. Cut out measured boards; make sure inside-facing surfaces are roughened. Depending on your location, paint the houses according to "Bat House Success Secrets".

3. Drill two 1/8" holes in the upper portion of the back (B) for hanging completed bat house.

4. Assemble boards according to Figure 2, making sure that the painted surfaces face out. Add some insulating material (insulation, cotton balls, etc.) before installing ceiling (F). Secure assembled box with wood screws.

5. Locate a spot at least 15 feet above the ground that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight. After matching the holes in the back (B), hammer the 10-penny nails into the location, which should probably be either the side of a building or a pole. Hang bat house on these nails.