Occasionally it takes up to a year for bats to move into a bat house. Your chances are better if you already have bats in your area. Most North American bats like to live near water. Bats also like warm places to live. People in cold climates should hang their houses in a place that receives strong morning sun. Black tar paper tacked on top helps waterproof the wood and heat the house. Paint is not recommended. Your bat house should be hung 10 to 15 feet above the ground. It should be hung solidly in a shady, quiet place out of the reach of cats, predators, and undue noise. Direct sunlight discourages bats. The house should be hung before April 1. Shortly after that, migration may occur.
If these instructions are followed, a well-built shelter will result.
Should you get grabbed by this idea, more info can be obtained by writing Bat Conservation International, P O Box 162603, Austin TX 78716.
-Bob Greenawalt
Sep 1993
Single or family membership, same price, $9 per year. The year is from June to June, so joining now will last you until June, 1994. You will receive a bimonthly newsletter and can join our hikes and river trips. Send monies to Paul Cavataio-Freiman, 4868 Austin Dr, San Diego 92115-3518. 619-583-0266
- Wes Shelberg sent me this article from the LA Time, 7 October 93: Man Trapped by Boulder Amputates Leg. Denver. A 38 year -old man amputated his own leg and crawled to his car to reach help after he was trapped under a boulder in the mountains.... William Jeracki, a physician's assistant, was walking to a fishing hole when a boulder fell on his leg and trapped it... He dragged himself a half mile and drove for help.
