Four bat houses were installed at Roberts Field recently by volunteers. The four houses will provide potential habitat for hundreds of bats, who are an important member of our ecosystem and play a key role in pollinating plants. Bats are also a great natural pest control, as one little brown bat can eat 60 medium-sized moths or over 1000 mosquito-sized insects in one night.

Bats like tight spaces. The design of the bat houses mimics the bats’ ideal baby nursery, the natural the narrow space between tree trunk and it’s bark. The houses are painted black to retain solar heat, and keep the interior warm for the babies. Horizontal grooves are carved inside the box. to to make it easier for the bats to climb up.

The pond side location is ideal for the bat houses as it provides water access, lots of sun, and is 15 feet off the ground.