After many challenges a bat house has been erected near the trail between the dog park and Chambers Lake. The house is a “rocket box” design that allows bats to move from side to side- either away from the sun in the summer or toward the sun in the winter. Looking up from the bottom one can see two separate chambers that allow bats to move about freely and nest together as they choose. Bats fly up and into the base of the house into either the inner or outer chamber from any side of the house. Small grooves cut into both sides of each chamber allow bats to climb up into the chamber easily and hang as they please.

Green Team member David Pelto built the house from plans developed by the British Columbia Community Bat Program. Local metal fabricator Ziegler’s Welding manufactured the base plate which allows the mounting pole to hinge down for maintenance and cleaning. Installation was accomplished with the help of Charles Callahan and Fred Robinson from Panorama maintenance.

Bats like to be near water, so the location near Chambers Lake is perfect. Bats also like their home to get some sun and then be in afternoon shade. The use of a metal pole means that unfriendly squirrels and raccoons cannot upset the bats’ happy home.

Once bats find the box and create a roost they will help to reduce insects that might otherwise damage the pollinator garden and other plants. Evening walkers will also notice a reduction in the mosquito population as bats are very efficient vacuums during twilight hours.

Bats will not eat the bees that are attracted to the pollinator garden. They are active at different times and will not cross paths. Bees are diurnal (awake during the day), and bats are nocturnal.

An abbreviated version of this article appeared in the September 2022 Panorama News.