HANGING GUIDE:
The following recommendations have been vetted by bat conservationist Merlin Tuttle and will maximize your chances for early BatBnB occupancy. The most important factor to consider is location. Do your best to stick to the following and you should hopefully see bats in the next few seasons!
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Location: A location on a post or the side of a house, barn, or shed is best. In particularly cool climates, always opt for a building.
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Sun: Even in hot climates your BatBnB should receive 6+ hours of direct sunlight daily, and in cooler climates, more sunlight is better.
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Height: Place the BatBnB at least 10-12 feet off the ground making sure the bottom of your BatBnB has 10-12 feet clear. When possible, 15-20 feet is better. For the best chance of success, ensure there are no balcony or roofs blocking the area beneath.
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Tree Placement: BatBnBs located at least 20 feet away from trees will be most successful. Bat houses mounted on trees are least successful because they often offer limited sun exposure and allow predators (mostly owls) to perch on nearby branches. If a tree is your only option, choose a sunny spot that is far from potential predator perches.
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INCLUDED HARDWARE:
MOUNTING CLEAT
These come pre-attached to the back of your BatBnB unit and function by gripping the mount piece.
MOUNT
Attach this piece to the surface you want to hang your BatBnB from. The side with the smaller surface area should connect with the hanging surface.
SAFETY BRACKET
Small metal bracket on the lower back side of your BatBnB that will act as a safety mechanism against any lifting forces such as strong winds.
SCREWS (6)
Screws that will attach the mount to your hanging surface.
HANGING INSTRUCTIONS:
- Now that you’ve found the perfect location for mounting, remove your BatBnB from the box & packaging. Carefully position the ladder so that it is stable, and grab a friend to hold it steady.
- Climb the ladder with a screwdriver or drill, a level, four screws & the mounting piece.
- Position the mounting piece in the desired location & fully insert one of the screws. The mounting piece should be turned as displayed in the image for the cleats to grip. Level the mounting piece and screw in the remaining screws.
- Dismount the ladder, re-adjust the ladder position if necessary, & then climb the ladder again with your BatBnB unit. Slide the cleats on the back of the unit onto the mounting piece.
- Once your BatBnB unit is level, climb the ladder with a screwdriver and one screw. Adjust the bottom metal bracket so that it points straight down and secure it with a screw.
- Great work! Your BatBnB is now in operation.
SAFETY FIRST:
Hanging a BatBnB 15+ feet up can be scary! Seriously, we want you to be careful. If you’re not comfortable climbing a ladder while carrying the heavy BatBnB, find a friend to assist you or hire a local contractor to help. Take any additional cautionary steps to keep yourself safe, and always treat the animals with respect. When cleaning bat droppings (or any type of animal droppings) one should take precautions to avoid inhaling dust, or even better, avoid interacting with droppings entirely.