Large Colony Bat Box

The Large Colony Bat Box is our largest bat box, specially designed for large maternity colonies of Common Pipistrelles and Soprano Pipistrelles. With an internal volume of 0.019 cubic metres split between three crevices, it has plenty of space for maternity colonies of several hundred bats.

The inside temperature of the bat box makes a big difference to the bats, so the Large Colony Bat Box has ceramic heat sinks and black external colouration, to warm up faster and maintain a more stable internal temperature than other boxes. Each crevice is designed to "run" at a slightly different temperature, so that the bats can choose the exact temperature they prefer.

Designed taking into account our 12 years experience of making bat boxes, with the benefit of customer feedback, the latest scientific thinking and advice from experts on British bats. The key features include:

17mm entrance slot is ideal for bats but deters birds.

Self cleaning box with an internal baffle to deflect droppings out of the entrance slot.

Close fitting panels and roof (precision cut by computer controlled equipment) with insulation above crevices to reduce draughts, improve heat retention and keep each crevice at a different temperature.

Internal ceramic heat sinks for improved temperature stability.

Bat ladder at base of box continues inside box to ensure bats find it easy to access and move around within the box.

Easy and safe to erect box on walls or trees - relatively light weight for its size with 6 screw holes for mounting.

Easy (2 screws) to remove roof for cleaning or inspection where permitted

External surfaces treated with water based non-toxic, non-volatile wood treatment.

Manufactured in exterior grade FSC Certified plywood

Bat boxes can be mounted on either buildings or trees. Try to position your box as high as possible in a sheltered sunny place. Ideally, several boxes should be put up facing in different directions to provide a range of conditions. Bats need time to find and explore new homes, and it may be several years before boxes have residents – be patient! Droppings on the landing area, stains around the lower parts of the box and chittering noises from inside on warm afternoons and evenings are signs of occupation.

If you don’t have a suitable building or tree on which to mount the box please see our “Pole Mounted Bat Box” where our Large Colony Bat Box is available mounted on a pole. We also offer our Large Colony Bat Box with a additional artificial heat source (Heated Bat Box). This can reduce the energy demands on maternity colonies of bats when raising young.

Please note: All bats and roosts are protected by law and you should only open a bat box to check it if you hold an appropriate licence.