Modular Bat Condo 2x2 - Big Bat House
Modular Bat Condo 2x2 - Big Bat House
$1,820.00
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Create a ~1,200 Bat Super Sanctuary - Free Shipping in US - Installation Available
The BCM Modular Bat Condo is the best solution when providing a large, long term bat sanctuary on ranches, farms, large backyards, parks, environmental mitigation, and wildlife management areas.
We begin with dual 4''x6'' treated posts for redundancy and strength against high winds and long term deterioration. The 5.5'' space between the posts is filled with hand-roughened roost baffles dramatically increasing roost and cool-off space. Our 4-Chamber Universal ColonyLodge bat houses are added in a back-to-back bat configuration. These feature slots in the backs allowing bats to move into various sized crevices in the middle of the structure, or switch roost boxes to find their preferred microclimate. Use different colored ColonyLodge bat houses for maximum microclimate options. The 2x2 configuration may hold approximately ~1,232 bats using the 2 bats per linear inch rule!
When is big too big?? Bats often prefer roosting in larger structures, which can help buffer nighttime temperature extremes. They can also heat up faster in the morning. Years ago BCM assisted developing Bat Condos ranging from 4'x4' up to an impressive 16'x16' that contains tens of thousands of bats. Now our biologists consider multiple smaller bat house structures are much better than one large "condo"-class structure. Multiple bat houses spread the bat colony out among many structures, providing a variety of microclimate options. Multiple roosts provide bats with parasite and predator avoidance options. Multiple smaller bat roosts allow bat families to break up and segregate as they see fit. If one structure is vandalized or collapses over time, the whole colony will not suddenly be at risk, but will occupy the other nearby structures until repairs made. Multiple smaller roosts can be placed in slightly different areas in a wildlife management area, with different color configurations, and the bats are more likely to find one the suits them.
What about costs and installation hassle? The Modular Condo is easier to install and is less costly than competing designs with similar capacity. It is possible to install multiple Modular Condos for the same cost as just one "bat condo"-class structure. In addition, our modular design breaks down into boxes that can be shipped UPS, and installed without heavy equipment if necessary. Build the Mini Condo off ladders and scaffolding, or assemble the entire unit on sawhorses and lift into place with some combination of staff, lifts, tractor, or truck.
One roof for all regions. Individual modules of the Condo receive morning and rapidly hold heat, ideal for cool mornings some hear-loving species like little brown bats will be drawn to. This model incorporates extra vents on the roof over the center roost section only for hot summer days; a feature big brown bats will appreciate. The aluminum roof is double sided; install brown up for cool climates or white up for hot climates and large Mexican free tail colonies.
Installation. The Modular Condo is a significant structure, but by far the easiest to install and least expensive of any artificial bat roost available of similar capacity. It is possible to assemble the frame, put the posts in place, then add the bat houses and roof separately using ladders, scaffolding, or a lift machine. However, the entire assembly is best assembled on the ground on sawhorses. Lifting suggestions include four or more people lift the Condo while several pull or winch with a rope as the base slides into the holes. The Condo may also lean against a truck with an appropriate ladder rack, or lean on the bucket of a front end loader/forklift, etc. to be pushed into place. Expect 3-4 hours assembling and installing. BCM delivery, micro siting, and installation is available, please contact jchenger@batmanagement.com for a quote.
Which color bat house is best for you? Both dark brown and our tan color has been successful in mid-FL and TX. Definitely select a black or dark green for most northern states and high elevations, or tan for warmer climates most of Florida and desert). Included with every bat house is a comprehensive manual, which will assist you with site determination, installation, and long-term maintenance tips.
What's Included?
- Frame Kit
- One (1) Aluminum Roof Panel
- Silver aluminum trim
- Center Baffles Cluster
What's needed?
- Two 4''x6''x16' treated posts (obtain locally expect under $50 each)
- Compass to find ~140° SE
- Cordless drill (2 is handy to have Phillips screw bit or socket on one, drill bit on a second)
- Drill socket adapter + socket set
- Combination square + tape measure
- Drill bit for predrilling holes in sides and metal roof
- Level (can use the combination square as a level)
- ~320 lbs Quick-dry concrete for post installation
- 4''x6'' Post Protector (strongly recommended in wet locations)
- Digging/tamping bar, post hole digger, shovel
- Outdoor deck stain for the sides and post, but wait 90 days before staining if treated post is new and wet from the treating process.
Lead time shipping with 7-14 days. Free shipping in CONUS
Contact sales@batmanagement.com for installation quote or Canadian shipping quote.
Bat house and installation overview can be seen in our online Learning Center section All About Bat Houses. Specific installation instructions included the Modular Condo manual.
Questions & Answers
Have a Question?
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I am contacting on behalf of The Michigan Audubon's Haehnle Sanctuary a 1,000 acre natural area in Jackson County Michigan. We would like to install a bat house or houses suitable for a public viewing area. I already have two successful bat houses on my property. The primary species attracted to bat houses in our area are big brown bats. We have excellent habitat at the Sanctuary, but occasionally have vandalism, so we will need to install a rugged structure. I am thinking of two of your premium bat houses mounted back to back on a 6" by 6" by 16 ft. treated post. How deep should the post be planted in the ground? Will we need a predator guard on the post?
When installing 2 on a post, you will want to go at least 2.5' deep, preferably 3' deep. Use a minimum 80 lbs of concrete mix. For a predeator guard, wrap 2' long aluminum around the post about head-high.
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We’d like to install a bat house in our backyard. We live in Birmingham, AL. It looks like we need the frame kit ($195) and the colony house ($220) will be all we need from you. I understand we will need to purchase and install the posts ourselves. Is the tan color what you would recommend for this region? And does that include 2 condos? Thank you.
The frame kit is seperate, then add as many ColonyLodges as necessary to complete the modular condo. A 2x2 Modular Condo can support 2 ColonyLodges on the "front" and two on the "back", for a total of 4. A 3x3 supports up to 6. We can special order 4x4 Modular Condos designed around 6x6'' posts if desired!
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How in the world is this $1800? It is four bat boxes, a piece of aluminum, some two by fours, and you don't even get the four by fours. I am confused as it looks like something I could build for a few hundred dollars.
Hi there- The cost of the 5- chamber bat houses, with a relatively indestructible exterior, are almost $300 each x 4. There is a large center baffle cluster core that is essentially 2 more of these bat houses that are built special order. We are using fiberboard rather than metal for the roof and sides these days, and there is framing, both of that don't add much cost but someone does need to obtain the material and cut to size. Then it all needs packed into ~8 boxes and that ~150 lbs. of freight is delivered across the country. Shipping posts is cost-prohibitive, those 4''x6''x16' (not 4'x4' so no one is confused) or longer are obtained locally. If you have the material and tools certainly you can build something similar and by sticking to a few construction rules you will likely get occupancy, but unless you already have a bat colony nearby you might consider starting with just a couple of bat houses around the property, and then expand when they take off. -JC
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I live in South Florida. Which bat house color do you recommend? I will be installing the bat house in a county park and would like to prevent people from walking underneath it. Do you have guidelines for fencing? I was thinking a garden fence would be adequate, but I am not sure how far it should be from the bat house, or if there is a color I should avoid.
Hello Jessica- the tan color is best for your area. To prevent people from walking under it, add large, irregular rocks that deter walking/ standing, and/or add a small fence. Simple split-rail fences keep the honest people away. Don't use chain link or barbed wire as those might be a deterrent to bats.