ENN: Environmental News Network [[ ENN Garden Tutorials ]]
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What you need:
Start with a 2’x8′ piece of ” exterior grade plywood and an 8′ length of 1″x3″ pine furring strip. Cut the plywood into the following sizes:
Lay the 50″x24″ piece of plywood on a table or a pair of sawhorses. Cut the furring strip into 2-44″ lengths. Caulk one side of both 44″ furring strips. |
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| Arrange the furring strips lengthwise along the sides of the plywood, caulking side down, so that they are ” from the end. Screw them into place using 1 ” exterior wood screws. |
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| Give bats something to hold onto. Staple plastic mesh between the two furring strips to provide a surface they can grip. Use 5/16″ staples to secure the mesh. |
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| Run a bead of caulk along the length of the furring strips. Lay down the 32″x24″ piece of plywood on top of them. The plywood should be ” from the edge of the furring strips, to allow you to mount the roof at an angle. Screw down the sheet of plywood. |
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| Place the 11″x24″ piece of plywood directly below the 32″x24″ piece, leaving a ” gap for ventilation. Screw the plywood in place. In cool, northern climates, omit the ventilation gap. |
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| Lay the bat house on the ground, and attach the roof. Arrange the 3″x24″ piece of plywood so it is flush with the back of the house and overhangs in the front. Set 2 screws through the plywood and into the furring strips. Caulk the roof seams both in the front and back. |
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| Unless you cut bevels into the plywood and the furring strips, there are gaps on the sides. Fill them with caulk. Once the caulk has dried, paint the house with a coat of exterior primer, followed with two coats of black exterior house paint. |