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"Bat
boxes are artificial roosts. They are designed
to provide bats with alternative resting places
to replace natural ones in tree holes, and also
to encourage bats into areas where there are
few such natural sites." |
Bat
Conservation Trust: 'How to Build a Bat Box' |
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When
erecting a bat box ensure it is facing away
from draughts. Careful site selection is much
more important than the material the box is
made of. The thicker the walls, the more insulated
the box will be. Bats prefer a constant temperature
and humidity. Only use bat boxes that have well-sealed
joints, as a poorly finished box will let in
the wind, the cold and the rain. Also, avoid
boxes with lids. |
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Bat
boxes come in a range of woods - oak, ash and
pine, although pine should be avoided, as it's
a soft wood and squirrels can easily chew through
it. You may prefer a woodcrete box, (75% wood
sawdust, concrete and clay mixture). They are
durable, long lasting, rot & predator-proof
and maintain temperatures. Ensure the entrance
to any box you buy/make is narrow, to discourage
predators. The entrance platform which extends
inside to the top of the box, should be scored
(lines cut into the wood), enabling bats to
get a better grip. |
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| For
more advice: |
| call
us on 020 8376 8088 |
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| Positioning
your bat box |
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When
positioning your bat box, make sure it is: |
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1. |
3
metres OR MORE above ground, (this will
hopefully avoid the UK's no. 1 predator,
the 'domestic cat'.
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| 2. |
away
from draughts |
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3. |
erected
without nails (wherever possible). Instead,
loop the box over a branch WITH BACK SUPPORT
or as a last option, use galvanized nails
(to avoid rusting and damaging the tree).
Never attatch boxes to branches without
back support. Branches sway, bang, and
will cause a disturbance to your bats.
Boxes should be flat, (or as flat as posible),
against a tree trunk, OR a flat wall,
eg house wall. |
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4. |
one
of a few boxes on the tree,
(wherever possible), facing difference
directions and staggered. This enables
bats to visit each others boxes. (Bats
are very social creatures). When attaching
to a wall - one box is adequate. |
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5. |
out
of predator's harm. Keep cats indoors
for 2 hours at sunset and 2 hours at dawn.
Cats are very high jumpers - have excellent
vision at twilight and with a tremendous
sense of smell. |
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Double
Chamber Oak |
Durable
timber (unhinged) |
Woodcrete |
(c)
Wildlife World |
(c)
Wildlife World |
(c)
Alana Ecology |
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bat
boxes |
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As
a voluntary organisation we |
exist
entirely on donations |
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