nhbs Low Profile Cavity Bat Boxes User Manual
- May 15, 2024
- nhbs
Table of Contents
nhbs Low Profile Cavity Bat Boxes
INTRODUCTION
Globally, there are over 1,400 different species of bat, 18 of which inhabit the UK. Although UK bat species do not create their own roost sites, they will roost in trees and occupy spaces that are created by other animals or decaying trees. But due to the removal of trees and suitable habitat, bats will now often use human made structures such as buildings and bat boxes. Increasing the availability of roost sites is an important way to help prevent the decline of UK bat populations.
When deciding which bat box fits your needs, there are a few things to
consider:
the design of the bat box, the material, and the mounting and installation
method. These features can be determined by identifying the target bat species
alongside the location and habitat you wish to situate the bat box.
To view our full range of bat boxes and accessories, visit www.nhbs.com
BAT BOX DESIGN
There are several different bat box designs available and these can be split into crevice, cavity and hybrid boxes, as well as hibernation, maternity and heated boxes.
Crevice boxes provide a narrower roost space for species that naturally prefer smaller roosts, such as Brandts, Natterers and pipistrelles, whereas cavity boxes offer a more spacious roost space favoured in general by larger species, such as Greater and Lesser Horseshoe, Barbastelle and Brown Long-eared. Some boxes are designed to be hybrid boxes, meaning they can accommodate both cavity and crevice bat species.
-
Crevice
Low Profile WoodStone -
Cavity
- Hybrid
Hibernation and maternity boxes are similar in their design to provide a warm
and safe roosting space. Both boxes tend to be well insulated and larger in
size with multiple internal chambers, especially important for maternity boxes
that accommodate breeding colonies.
There are also heated bat boxes. In these, the temperature is controlled by an
external thermostat and can be used for mitigation schemes for the loss of bat
maternity sites.
-
Hibernation
Large Multi Chamber WoodStone -
Maternity
- Heated
BAT BOX MATERIALS
Bat boxes can be made from a number of different materials, which vary in
longevity, durability and often price. The most common materials are wood
(often timber); a wood and concrete blend, sometimes known as woodstone or
woodcrete; eco-plastic; and concrete.
Below is a brief description of each alongside one of our best sellers.
Wooden bat boxes
- Lightweight
- Suitable for mounting externally on both trees and buildings
- Less robust and shorter longevity than woodstone/ woodcrete boxes
Eco-plastic bat boxes
- Sustainably sourced recycled plastic
- Lighter than woodstone/woodcrete and more durable than wooden boxes
- Although made from recycled plastic, it is still plastic
Woodstone and woodcrete bat boxes
- Very durable and long lasting
- Well insulated
- Can be built in or externally mounted to buildings
- Heavier than wooden and eco plastic boxes
Concrete bat boxes
- Very durable
- Very heavy and can only be built directly into buildings
MOUNTING AND INSTALLING BAT BOXES
Bat boxes fall into externally mounted or integrated boxes. Mounted boxes can be fixed to trees, fences or buildings, and integrated boxes are built directly into the brickwork of a building.
Externally mounted boxes can vary in size and material, and are often wooden or woodstone/ woodcrete. When choosing an externally mounted bat box, it is important to consider the weight of the box and the surface you are mounting the box to. Some are lighter and ideal for mounting on trees, while some are more durable and can be fixed to buildings.
2F Schwegler Bat Box (General Purpose)
All bat boxes should be positioned in an open and sunny location (ideally boxes should have 6–8 hours of direct sunlight) around 3–6 metres high (the higher the better). It is important to avoid placing these close to any artificial lights such as street lamps or security lights. Externally mounted boxes can be attached via a hanger or fixing bracket and it is best to fix them with aluminium nails.
Integrated bat boxes are self-contained concrete roosts. They are popular with new housing developments as they are unobtrusive and often aesthetically pleasing. The boxes can be built flush to the wall or beneath a rendered surface, and each box has an entry point that must be left exposed for the bats to access the box. Some boxes are plain for rendering or can be custom faced with a chosen brick type so that they are even more discrete.
There are also pole-mounted bat boxes (sometimes known as rocket boxes). These
bat boxes are helpful alternatives in areas where there is nowhere to mount
the bat box. An additional benefit is that they ensure that the box is exposed
to as much sunlight as possible in shaded areas.
Habibat Bat Box 001
Lastly, there are bat roost access titles and bricks. These are designed to
provide bats with access points within roof or ridge tiles.
Some bats will roost in the confined spaces beneath the tiles and others will
use the open roof space.
Vivara Pro Build-in WoodStone Bat Box
FURTHER INFORMATION
We supply a wide range of bat boxes and we hope this Buyer’s Guide is informative and provides a useful breakdown of the different types available to help you decide which bat box best suits your needs.
For further information, please get in touch with us directly (contact details
below) and take a look at our blogs, including The NHBS Guide to UK Bat
Identification and the NHBS Guide:
Where to Hang and How to Maintain Your Bat Box.
ACCESSORIES AND SUGGESTED READING
CUSTOMER SUPPORT
Explore
the complete range of bat boxes on our website. If
you have any questions about our range or would like some advice
on the right product for you, then please contact us via email at
customer.services@nhbs.com or phone on
01803 865913
www.nhbs.com | Serving conservation since 1985