Materials Needed

• ¼ sheet ( 2' × 4' ) ½ " AC, BC, or T1-11 (outdoor grade) plywood. DO NOT use pressure treated wood.
• One piece 1" × 2" (¾" × 1½ " finished) × 8' pine (furring strip)
• 20 - 30 1¼ " coated deck or exterior-grade Phillips screws
• 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" × 3" × 28" board for roof (optional, but highly recommended)
• Black asphalt shingles or galvanized metal (optional)
• 6 - 10 7/8" roofing nails (optional)

Recommended Tools

• Table saw or handsaw
• Caulking gun
• Variable speed reversing drill
• Paintbrushes
• Phillips bit for drill
• Tape measure or yardstick
• Scissors (optional)
• Staple gun (optional)

Construction Procedure

• Measure and cut plywood into three pieces:
  26½" × 24"
  16½" × 24"
  5" × 24"
• Roughen inside of backboard and landing area by cutting horizontal grooves with sharp object or saw. Space grooves about ½" apart, cutting 1/16" - 1/32" deep.
• Apply two coats of dark, water-based stain to interior surfaces.
  Do not use paint, as it will fill grooves, making them unusable.
• Measure and cut furring into one 24" and two 20¼" pieces.
• Attach furring strips to back, caulking first. Start with 24" piece
  at top. Roosting chamber will be ¾" wide (front to back).
• Attach front to furring strips, top piece first (don't forget to caulk). Leave ½" vent space between top and bottom front pieces.
• Caulk around all outside joints to further seal roosting chamber.
• Attach a 1" × 3" × 28" board to the top as a roof, if desired (optional, but highly recommended).
• Paint or stain exterior three times (use primer for first coat).
• Cover roof with shingles or galvanized metal (optional).

Special thanks to Bat Conservation International for allowing us to use their plans for building a bat house. To learn more about bats visit their web site at: http://www.batcon.org

Optional modifications to the Small Economy Bat House.

Learn more about bat pest control.

Go back to the bat removal page.

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