Bat Houses
A very interesting and sustainable weekend project that will save you a ton of money. Plus, bats help mitigate the backyard bug population, eating up to 4,000 mosquitoes each night!
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$5 - $30
The DIY versions of the available plans on the internet can sell for upwards of $30, just for the plans. Materials and tools are separate from these expenses. If you’re handy, it’s a great weekend activity. But don’t buy plans, just read on.
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$30 - $80
Kits are a good option if you have a hammer, nails, and limited woodworking skills but no access to cutting tools or materials. You’ll still feel a sense of accomplishment when your bat house is hanging!
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$50 - $200
Prebuilt bat houses are widely available, but carry extravagant prices. If money is not a concern, this is a great option. Don’t forget you’ll be paying someone to install it 20-30 feet high.
The Solution.
Planning.
A quick perusal of the internet found an exceedingly broad and varied conclusion to the question: What is the best bat house design? Through mechanical inference and deductive reasoning, I began sketching the plans for what would soon become my bat house. Knowing what materials and tools were at my disposal, I opted to keep the design as simple and efficient as possible.
An old pallet - received for free
Shingles - left over from a new roof
Nails - left over from the same new roof
Caulking (optional) - left over from home renovations
Black paint (optional) - left over from home renovations
Build it.
The final result took about 3 hours, and I realized I had enough material with one pallet to make two houses. Time will tell if the shingles, caulking, and paint are necessary.
The result was hugely successful and contribution to homeless bats in the area.