Are Bats a Problem?

flyboy · August 09, 2014, 05:10:49 PM

Some bats have nested in our patio ceiling. I like the idea of them eating insects but am concerned about the bees. ARe they a problem for bees?

rober · August 09, 2014, 05:23:16 PM

when the bats are flying the bees are snoozin'

Carol · August 09, 2014, 05:45:27 PM

Just put up a Rocket Style bat house....I checked the bat house forum about the same thing...got the same answer...Big Brown bats eat lots of flying beetles (shb?) and they also eat moths (wax moth?).

Cant wait for residents.

www.wildlifearoundus.blogspot.com the bat house is much bigger than anticipated...should hold lots of them.

Michael Bush · August 09, 2014, 09:01:25 PM

Bats fly at night. Bees fly in the day.

jayj200 · August 10, 2014, 12:00:12 PM

want to get them out of the patio roof as they crap where they live.
some also carry rabies
making a bat house just for them is Maybe OK but not in your dwelling
then seal it up tight

Dallasbeek · August 10, 2014, 12:40:29 PM

Quote from: Carol on August 09, 2014, 05:45:27 PM
Just put up a Rocket Style bat house....I checked the bat house forum about the same thing...got the same answer...Big Brown bats eat lots of flying beetles (shb?) and they also eat moths (wax moth?).

Cant wait for residents.

www.wildlifearoundus.blogspot.com the bat house is much bigger than anticipated...should hold lots of them.

Carol, everything I've read about bat houses is you have to be patient. It may take a year or two before they occupy it, but after that they're faithful tenants. Good luck. I built a bat house, but my wife nixed the pole needed to mount it. :jail:

GSF · August 10, 2014, 01:59:38 PM

There is a period of time when bats and bees fly together. Namely not long before dark. At least they do around here.

Carol · August 10, 2014, 02:11:34 PM

Dallasbeek.....sure glad I have a hubby who is willing to go along with just about everything I want to do. Built windows in my hive bodies and supers....built a "butterfly" house so I can raise Monarch Butterflies, and now has built me a great bat house. Just need residents.

flyboy · August 10, 2014, 03:42:40 PM

How did the windows work out? I was thinking of doing that also.

Carol · August 12, 2014, 03:38:02 PM

I love the windows. I have 3 deeps with windows. ( 2 langs with double deep brood boxs) One got missed because it already had bees in it before Jim thought of it. I like them in the supers too. I can check and see what is going on without messing with the hives.

flyboy · August 12, 2014, 03:55:01 PM

Quote from: Carol on August 12, 2014, 03:38:02 PM
I love the windows. I have 3 deeps with windows. ( 2 langs with double deep brood boxs) One got missed because it already had bees in it before Jim thought of it. I like them in the supers too. I can check and see what is going on without messing with the hives.

Any pics and dimensions?

D Coates · August 12, 2014, 03:59:58 PM

Quote from: jayj200 on August 10, 2014, 12:00:12 PM
want to get them out of the patio roof as they crap where they live.
some also carry rabies
making a bat house just for them is Maybe OK but not in your dwelling

Moth balls. Once their young have matured put moth balls in there. The closer to where they actually roost the better. They'll head out in short order. Also put a trap out style cone where they exit the roof from. Make sure they can still get out but make it difficult and undesirable for them to get back in and they'll be gone in short order. Just make sure to seal up the opening once they're gone.

Diogenes · August 13, 2014, 01:54:53 AM

Took 4 years to get residents in my bat house. It's 20 ft away from a hive. (singleton and occasional nucs at home) I may loose some late flying bees, but no biggie.

The insect-free nature of the local area in the evening is amazing. No mosquitoes!!!! The bats collect moths fluttering near lighted windows as well.

Downside is the guano accumulates directly under the bat house. So choose your location with that in mind. (collect it to fertilize plants) They keep coming back year after year. It's been 12 years, and it's starting to look crowded in there.

8-)

LaurieBee · August 13, 2014, 02:04:17 AM

I have heard bat guano will attract bats sooner. Does anyone know about this?

Carol · August 13, 2014, 06:29:00 PM

If it does...I want some....(guano)

LaurieBee · August 13, 2014, 07:58:01 PM

Looks as though some members have bats already. Maybe they can send you some. Or you could find a local person with some.

jayj200 · August 14, 2014, 09:46:00 AM

Bat Guano also known as a hazardous biological substance be careful when handling this.
would not allow that stuff in any building or truck I use.

duck guano is also hazardous

BeeMaster2 · August 14, 2014, 01:03:14 PM

Quote from: jayj200 on August 14, 2014, 09:46:00 AM
Bat Guano also known as a hazardous biological substance be careful when handling this.
would not allow that stuff in any building or truck I use.

duck guano is also hazardous

If it is in a cave, it stays moist which allows the bacteria to grow non stop. If it is outside and it dries out, it propably not a problem.
Chicken poop can have the same problem but commercially they dry it out and add it to cow food. Drying it out kills the bacteria.
Jim

jayj200 · August 14, 2014, 02:53:34 PM

tell that tp any that inhale the stuff!

LaurieBee · August 15, 2014, 12:32:02 AM

I'm guessing you're a mail carrier, Jay?