Bats in my yard?

Question

I am trying to be very eco friendly about killing all the freaking mosquitos in our yard. However, they just are insanely bad. our neighbors have taken to wearing bug suits every time they leave the house at night! I just come inside, but that's no fun!

So, my ? is this- how should I go about encouraging bats to be in our yard? what can I do to help them thrive and catch mosquitos for us, so we can use our yard at night??

How can I be a friend to bats, basically (man I sound like a weirdo, haha!)

Thanks for your help!

Answer 1

Boy the Mosquito's are really bad this year I think it is great that you are encouraging bats into your yard. If my figures are correct one bat can eat over 10,000.00 bugs in one evening and you don't even know he is there. Not to mentions that bat poo or guano is such a great fertilizer that people pay big bucks for it. Building bat houses is the way to go I'm sure there are many places on line to fine plans-Good luck!   (and you don't sound like a weirdo)

Answer 2

hang up a bat house.  available in garden centers.  get rid of any stagnant water in your vicinity.

Answer 3

build a bat box to attract them to your house, you can find plans online, doesnt look too complicated

Answer 4

The best bok I have found for bathouses is: The Bat House Builders Handbook. Do remember that bats will eat any flying bug, so the will also eat moths.

Answer 5

Agreed, putting up a bat house will help attract bats. However, I would NOT put the bat house near your house, I would put it the furthest location from the house you can.

Unfortunately, bats CAN carry rabies. You should be able to find the rabid animal count from last year and the first half of this year online at your county animal control.