Wooden Bat Box
(H. 380mm W. 180mm D. 100mm - Approx Weight 1.2kg)
Properties:
Wildlife World tell us that the bat box is made from wood certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and uses a water-based stain – Wildlife World are members of an FSC Chain Of Custody Group and have been responsible for encouraging several sawmills and suppliers to become certified to meet the demand for well managed timber. They have now almost achieved a 100% FSC supply for all their components other than waste wood.
Chain of Custody Cert No. SGS-COC 1654 O
Paints and stains - Wildlife World state that they have eliminated all solvent-based paints and stains on their wooden products by using only water-based finishes - good for us and good for our animal, bird and insect tenants.
Top Tips
Where to place your bat box
- The best place to position a bat box is on a tree
- Place them in groups round three sides of a tree - bats like to move from one box to another during the day and from season to season as temperatures change
- Put the boxes as high as possible above the ground to avoid predators - some species of bat such as noctules prefer roosts at least 5 metres off the ground
- Clear away surrounding branches to give them a clear flight path
- Boxes can also be located on buildings. A good position is under the eaves to protect them from bad weather
- It is illegal to disturb any bat when it is roosting or to kill, injure or handle a bat without a licence. If your bat box is occupied or you find a sick or injured bat contact your local wildlife trust or bat group
How to encourage bats to your garden
- Bats need insects to feed on, so ensure a ready supply by installing a pond and using varied planting
- Scented night-time flowers, such as evening primrose, attract moths on which bats may feed
- Pipistrelle bats (the most common species in Britain) often hunt in more open country, so gardens with large grassy areas may be more popular
- Larger species, such as Daubentons bat, often hunt over water so a good-sized pond is an advantage
- Noctule bats are often seen near hedgerows or in deciduous woodland. If you are close to a wooded area, having a mixed, native hedge can concentrate the supply of insects on which a variety of bat species feed
- Bats may roost in trees in your garden, outbuildings or even in the roof of your house. If you are concerned about damage, get advice from your local bat group as bats and bat roosts are protected
What is FSC?
The Forest Stewardship Council enables you to buy forest products of all kinds with confidence that you are not contributing to global forest destruction. FSC certified forests are managed to ensure long term timber supplies while protecting the environment and the lives of forest-dependent peoples. FSC certification can also cover non-timber forest products such as latex and foods. A system of Chain of Custody certification traces forest products through the supply chain to the end consumer. Whenever you buy timber or timber products always look for the FSC logo.