Bat house expert Kent Borcherding builds a bat house. Photo by Dave Redell, Wisconsin DNR.

Bats are important predators of mosquitoes and night-flying insects and can reduce these pests around your home and garden. Help keep these valuable mammals in your area by building a house for roosting and to raise their young.

Build it right

Bats are picky tenants. Encourage them to take up residence in your bat house by providing just the right conditions. Learn how to build a house they'll love by reading our building instructions.

Make your bat house count

If bats are using your bat house, please consider counting the number of bats using it. Sit near the entrance and count them as they emerge. Bats start exiting just after sunset. The Wisconsin Bat Program will use the information you provide to better understand Wisconsin's bats. For more information on how to become a volunteer visit the Wisconsin Bat Program website.

Bat house building videos

Building a bat house is easy! It only takes a few tools and a little time. Watch the videos below as bat house experts explain how.