Bathouse List | Neighbourhood Bat Watch

If you want to set up a bat house, you can buy them from some retailers or build them yourself (Setting up a bat house).

Classic (or BCI)

This model, initially developed by Bat Conservation International (BCI), is one of the most commonly used in North America. It has a rectangular shape, an open bottom and one or many lateral chamber(s). Made with plywood, this model is cheap and easy to build. Dimensions: medium size.

Four chambers classic
(from Brittingham & Williams 2000)

FCF

Similar to the classic model, the FCF model usually has four lateral chambers. It has a rectangular or a square shape. To help to preserve the heat during the night, it includes a removable partial floor reducing the opening through which bats enter. Dimensions: medium size.

Vincent Pro

Similar to the classic model, but with frontal chambers. Build from the well-tested design from the Nature Vincent Wildlife Trust Conservation center in England, this model is similar to the classic model, but with frontal chambers. Dimensions: medium size.

Rocket

Its name comes from its long and rocket-like shape. It is usually used on a pole that goes in the middle of the bat house. The chamber is distributed all around the pole on the four bat house sides. The rocket model can have one or many chambers. Dimensions: medium-large size.

Schwegler

This model is commonly used in Europe and is generally made of fibrociment, a mix of wood fibres and cement. It can have a rectangular or a cylindrical shape, with an entrance at the front or at the bottom. Dimensions: from small to large size.

Integrated

An integrated bat house is a bat house that is part of the building structure. The entrance can be by the roof or on one side of the building. The bat house can be partially or completely in the building, but with no access to the rest of the building. This type of bat house generally gets better heat retention. Dimensions: medium to large size.

Condo

The condo model is a large-scale construction that can accommodate several thousand individuals. Its large volume generally provides a great heat retention. More expensive and complex to build and install, this type of bat house is more often used by environmental organizations as a conservation tool.