This one's for you Todd
We all know how important bats are to our ecological system, so I did some research about conservation. Since Shelley was nice enough to dedicate her post regarding the website with the scary spider pictures to me, I will be directing her husband here. He may need a spring project.
Seeing as how this bat house information may create a shift in the balance of power in Shelley's household, she may be needing some lip balm in the near future. Generous friend that I am, I found a site to help her out: www.burtsbees.com (Seriously...Burt's Bees makes some good stuff).
HOW TO BUILD A SINGLE CHAMBER BAT HOUSE (WALL MOUNTED)
Materials Needed (makes 1)
1/4 sheet ( 2' x 4' ) 1/2" ACX, BCX, or T1-11 (outdoor grade) plywood. DO NOT use pressure treated wood.
One piece 1" x 2" (3/4" x 1 1/2" finished) x 8' pine (furring strip)
20-30 exterior grade screws, 1"
One pint dark, water-based stain, exterior grade
One pint water-based primer, exterior grade
One quart flat water-based paint or stain, exterior-grade
One tube paintable latex caulk
1" x4" x 28" board for roof (optional, but highly recommended)
Black asphalt shingles or galvanized metal (optional)
6-10 roofing nails, 7/8" (optional)
Recommended Tools
Table saw or handsaw
Caulking gun
Variable speed reversing drill
Screwdriver bit for drill
Paintbrushes
Phillips bit for drill
Tape measure or yardstick
Scissors (optional)
Staple gun (optional)
Hammer (optional)
Tin Snips (optional)
Construction Procedure
1. Measure and cut plywood into three pieces:
26 1/2" x 24"
16 1/2" x 24"
5" x 24"
2. Roughen inside of backboard and landing area by cutting horizontal grooves with sharp object or saw. Space grooves about 1/2" apart, cutting 1/16" to 1/32" deep.
3. Apply two coats of dark, water-based stain to interior surfaces. Do not use paint, as it will fill grooves, making them unusable.
4. Measure and cut furring into one 24" and two 20 1/2" pieces.
5. Attach furring strips to back, caulking first. Start with 24" piece at top. Roosting chamber will be 3/4" wide (front to back).
6. Attach front to furring strips, top piece first (don't forget to caulk). Leave 1/2" vent space between top and bottom front pieces.
7. Caulk around all outside joints to further seal roosting chamber.
8. Attach a 1" x 3" x 28" board to the top as a roof, if desired (optional, but highly recommended).
9. Paint or stain exterior three times (use primer for first coat).
10. Cover roof with shingles or galvanized metal (optional).
11. Mount on building (south or east sides usually best).
For more info: http://www.batcon.org/bhra/economyhouse.html
Seeing as how this bat house information may create a shift in the balance of power in Shelley's household, she may be needing some lip balm in the near future. Generous friend that I am, I found a site to help her out: www.burtsbees.com (Seriously...Burt's Bees makes some good stuff).
HOW TO BUILD A SINGLE CHAMBER BAT HOUSE (WALL MOUNTED)
Materials Needed (makes 1)
1/4 sheet ( 2' x 4' ) 1/2" ACX, BCX, or T1-11 (outdoor grade) plywood. DO NOT use pressure treated wood.
One piece 1" x 2" (3/4" x 1 1/2" finished) x 8' pine (furring strip)
20-30 exterior grade screws, 1"
One pint dark, water-based stain, exterior grade
One pint water-based primer, exterior grade
One quart flat water-based paint or stain, exterior-grade
One tube paintable latex caulk
1" x4" x 28" board for roof (optional, but highly recommended)
Black asphalt shingles or galvanized metal (optional)
6-10 roofing nails, 7/8" (optional)
Recommended Tools
Table saw or handsaw
Caulking gun
Variable speed reversing drill
Screwdriver bit for drill
Paintbrushes
Phillips bit for drill
Tape measure or yardstick
Scissors (optional)
Staple gun (optional)
Hammer (optional)
Tin Snips (optional)
Construction Procedure
1. Measure and cut plywood into three pieces:
26 1/2" x 24"
16 1/2" x 24"
5" x 24"
2. Roughen inside of backboard and landing area by cutting horizontal grooves with sharp object or saw. Space grooves about 1/2" apart, cutting 1/16" to 1/32" deep.
3. Apply two coats of dark, water-based stain to interior surfaces. Do not use paint, as it will fill grooves, making them unusable.
4. Measure and cut furring into one 24" and two 20 1/2" pieces.
5. Attach furring strips to back, caulking first. Start with 24" piece at top. Roosting chamber will be 3/4" wide (front to back).
6. Attach front to furring strips, top piece first (don't forget to caulk). Leave 1/2" vent space between top and bottom front pieces.
7. Caulk around all outside joints to further seal roosting chamber.
8. Attach a 1" x 3" x 28" board to the top as a roof, if desired (optional, but highly recommended).
9. Paint or stain exterior three times (use primer for first coat).
10. Cover roof with shingles or galvanized metal (optional).
11. Mount on building (south or east sides usually best).
For more info: http://www.batcon.org/bhra/economyhouse.html
posted by Anonymous | 10:02 AM
1 Comments:
You can buy Bat boxes like this at Real Goods. Definitely a lot easier and not that expensive. I think I'm going to buy one and call it my bat cave. Then I can tell people I have bats in my cave and not feel bad about saying it.
Post a Comment
<< Home