There are around 25 different bat species in Germany, all of which are protected because their habitats are disappearing. With a bat-friendly garden you can contribute to the conservation of the species. This is how to attract bats.

In a nutshell

  • Varied house garden with different natural elements attracts bat species
  • Waterhole is a suitable habitat for many feeding insects of bats
  • Bat box can serve as a shelter for many species
  • own bat bed attracts various feeding insects
  • in a bat-friendly home garden, poison should be avoided

Create varied structures

To attract bats into the garden, different landscape elements are advantageous. Although there are some species that prefer open meadows or hunt primarily in forest areas, the majority of bat species appreciate a varied garden.

The structural elements only indirectly help to attract the bats, because the more varied a house garden is designed, the greater the variety of insects, the food base of the native bat species. Some elements also have a direct use for you, like old trees with holes where they can find shelter.

Trees such as privet, elder or summer lilac help to attract nocturnal insects, the preferred food of bats.

A home garden that is bat-friendly should feature some of these elements:

  • domestic shrub hedge
  • old trees (preferably deciduous trees)
  • flower meadow
  • waste wood stack

Especially when redesigning a garden, thujas, for example, can be removed in favor of native shrubs. The lawn can also be easily converted into a flower meadow, making it attractive to insects and requiring less maintenance.

create water points

A special element in the garden that needs to be emphasized are water points. Water points have a positive effect on the microclimate in the garden and are one of the most important methods of attracting bats. There are many insects around waterholes that bats hunt. The advantage is that even at dusk, when the bats are active, insects are still buzzing around the waterholes.

mini pond

Water points can be designed differently. Even a small garden pond is an important contribution to attracting these insect hunters. However, there is a higher density of insects in calm to stagnant water bodies. A garden pond that is constantly in motion offers living beings in the water a very good habitat. For insects that live near the water, however, such areas are less attractive.

provide shelter

In addition to a rich supply of food, a shelter is one of the most important features of a garden for attracting bats. Anyone who cannot offer natural hiding places, such as attics or old trees, should use bat boxes. Of the approximately 25 native species, 16 bat species have so far been shown to accept bat boxes as suitable shelters. The value of a bat box is shown by the fact that endangered species, such as the lesser horseshoe bat, are happy to accept these shelters.

Tip: Collect the bat droppings under the bat box. It is a valuable fertilizer in the garden that is rich in nutrients.

Species that use attics or tree cavities as roosts prefer to nest in bat boxes. Due to the decline in suitable shelter options, even more species could take advantage of this offer in the future.

bat box

You can easily build a bat box yourself from a few pieces of wood. There is no such thing as an optimal bat box, because it has been shown that bats do prefer variations. It is important that you avoid artificial ingredients. This includes, for example, paint or roofing felt as weather protection.

However, every bat box should have some features:

  • Flat box shape an advantage
  • sloping front
  • only use untreated wood
  • large stomata underneath as an entry lane
  • Rough or ribbed approach board for a better grip

Notice: The stomata should have a width of 20 to 25 mm. This makes it wide enough for the pregnant females of larger species to fly in.

ensure food supply

A laid table is one of the best ways to establish a bat population in your home garden. In addition to the elements described, such as a well-structured house garden or water points, you can use plants to attract insects that serve as a food source for bats.

For example, you can create your own bat bed in your home garden. You should preferably plant that with species that bloom at night. This attracts nocturnal insects such as moths.

Night flowering plants such as the Missouri evening primrose (Oenothera macrocarpa) are great for attracting bats to the garden.

Suitable plants for attracting bats include:

  • Perennial Silverleaf (Lunaria rediviva)
  • Catchfly (Silene vulgaris)
  • Wallflower (Cheiranthus cheirii)
  • Evening Primroses (Oenothera spec.)
  • Narrow-leaved willowherb (Epilobium angustifolium)
  • Perennial Phlox (Phlox paniculata)

Don't use poison

In a home garden that is supposed to be bat-friendly, you should avoid using pesticides. Insects weakened by pesticides are easy prey for bats. On average, a bat eats up to a third of its body weight per night, which means that, especially in larger species, up to ten grams are consumed in one night. A bat can eat up to a kilogram of insects over the summer.

Just a few poisoned insects can weaken a bat so much that they become easy prey for enemies such as house cats or martens. Large amounts of poisoned insects can even kill the bat.

Tip: If you have a problem with pest infestation in the garden, first and foremost try to combat them with natural means. Often, attracting bats can even fix a problem with flying insect pests.

frequently asked Questions

Is a dead tree suitable as a shelter?

Yes, if it has small caves, it is suitable as a shelter. However, it often takes some time for the tree to become attractive to bats. However, a deadwood tree is a valuable element in the garden as over 2,000 species of insects can live in it. Many of these are also an attractive food source for bats.

Which native perennials are suitable for bat gardens?

Preferably choose perennials that are attractive to insects. These include, for example, the black elder, the red honeysuckle, the sloe or the hawthorn.

How long does it take for bat species to settle?

Bats are usually attracted very quickly if they find suitable conditions. First and foremost, the food supply is particularly important. A bat covers up to 20 kilometers per night and also takes longer distances from the shelter to the feeding places for its food.

Do I have to clean a bat box?

Yes, a used bat box should be cleaned once a year, preferably in winter. Brushes are suitable for cleaning and you can also use a diluted soft soap solution for heavy soiling. However, you must rinse them off well afterwards.

Category:

Animals in the garden