Install a Few Bat Houses and Bird Feeders – To Bring Bug-Eaters To Your Yard
Did you know a single brown bat can consume up to 1000 mosquitoes in one hour?
I live on a very wooded lot, and the insects can be unbearable during the summer months, especially the mosquitoes at night! This year, to encourage even more bats and birds to visit our outdoor spaces and rid us of those pesky creatures, we have decided to hang up bat houses and bird feeders around our property.
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I know the thought of bats can really creep some people out—my daughter-in-law included. But did you know that just one bat can eat almost 1,000 mosquitoes in one hour?
Here in the South, that is a big deal!
The truth is that bats are elusive creatures and usually stay away from human contact. So your chances of coming in direct contact with the bats are slim. The benefits they bring with them, such as pollination of plants and pest control, are worth considering, helping a few bats to find a place to roost near your property.
I purchased my bat house from Amazon. It is a bit smaller than I expected, but so darn cute with the bat image on the front. Following the recommended location and height, my husband attached it to one of our larger trees, which is not on the current chopping block list, that gets lots of morning sun and is close to the outdoor lights where we see the bats flying around at night. Most sites recommend hanging a bat house at least 12 feet off the ground.
Now we wait to see if the bats like their new high-rise apartment.
How are you getting rid of pesky bugs this summer?
I have also read on several gardening sites that if you put out several bird feeders in the early spring and summer months, the birds will not only thank you but will also stay closer to your yard and garden and feast on the creepy crawly bugs. It seems they actually need the bugs to nurture their new babies more than the bird food, so you are really just providing dessert for their main courses—the bugs!
And since the birds in my yard have to compete with the hundreds of squirrel residents for the bird food, this year I have even purchased ears of corn for the squirrels so they won’t destroy the bird feeders.
You don’t have to spend a fortune on fancy bird feeders either. One of mine is actually a chicken feeder from Tractor Supply I picked for a $1.00. I also use a terra cotta saucer on another railing. The birds don’t care what the feeder looks like just as long as it has food in it for them.
Watching the birds lined up for their turn at the feeder while I drink my coffee in the morning is nice. Obviously our dog Pippin enjoys it too.
Search on Pinterest for some great DIY tutorials for bird feeders.
Below are a few ideas for a DIY birdfeeder that won’t cost a fortune:
- Tin cans
- Tea cups
- Mason jars
- Terra Cotta Pots
- Small buckets
- Plastic bottles or containers
- Old plant hanging baskets
- Pine cones and peanut butter
- Toilet paper tubes and peanut butter
- Egg cartons
- An old pot or pan you no longer use in the kitchen
Whatever you decide to do about installing a bat house – yes or no – you know watching the birds enjoy the feeders is at least worth considering. Enjoy the warmer months.
“And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13
More fun posts to read and enjoy:
Modern and Colorful Painted Pots
Old Pool Deck Converted To Raised Garden Beds
