There are many accounts of these animals using batboxes, but the results are very variable.

Little work has been done in Australia on the factors that determine why bats will use some boxes very quickly and others not at all.  However, there is now enough material to hypothesise on some of these.   

1.  Many Australian researchers have reported that bats frequently show a high allegiance to an area but not to a particular roost.  Further, research with batboxes at Organ Pipes National Park has revealed that maternity colonies there relocate nightly between roosts.  All of which suggests that batboxes would do better if installed in clusters rather than singly.

2.  Nestbox shape and size appear not be be significant.  The sketch below illustrates the designs that we have trialled, most of which have been successful, albeit in low numbers.  

3.  Batboxes often have a problem with ants, but Monika Rhodes' work indicates that it is the floor in a batbox which encourages ants - it gives them something on which to lay their eggs.  If true, moving to the American model of batbox, where there is no floor, should remove the only pest to which batboxes are susceptable.

Please enquire if you are interested in batboxes.  We are constantly changing our batbox designs and are not yet in a position to offer one that is absolutely proven.  Nevertheless we are willing to discuss what we have to offer.  

We would particularly like to hear from anyone who has had consistent successes with batboxes.

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