This is a bat house that requires power tools and an intermediate skill level with those tools to complete. If one is experienced and has time, this should be a half day build including staining the final product.

Supplies

3 x 1/6" by 8' boards.

Wood stapler and staples (hammer with 1/2" nails will be able to replace wood staples.

1 x 4/4" T-plate for tree mounting + 1.5" nail or screw.

Dark wood stain (enough to cover the outside of the bat house.

Drill or drill press with 1/2" to 1" drill bit for ventilation holes.

Bird netting for the bats to climb. (can be unnecessary if a palm router can be used to make 1/4" grooves in the front and back panels.

Miter saw or table saw to cut the wood. (handheld saws can be used.

Any other supplies can be bought to customize, but major deviations from this design may result in the inhabitability of the bat house.

Step 1: Cutting Wood

Cut four boards from the 6 by 1's with a miter saw or similar in lengths of 21 inches.

Cut three more at 25 inches in length.

One more board should be cut at 18 inches and this will be the roof of the shelter.

One of the 4 boards needs to be cut in half lengthwise with a table saw or similar to make the side walls.

Step 2: Assemble the Front and Back Panels.

Use the staple gun or the 1/2 inch nails at an angle to attach the 3 equal length boards together side by side. and make sure that the structure is strong before moving.

Do this for both the 25 and 21 inch boards.

Step 3: Creating the Ventilation Holes

Using a handheld drill or drill press, make holes approximately 6 inches from the bottom of the 21 inch panel.

Make more holes if the area in which you live is hotter most of the year and fewer for if it is cold for the majority of the year. This is to make sure that the house stays between 80 and 120 degrees Fahrenheit aided by the wood stain.

Step 4: Attaching the Bird/deer Net or Using the Palm Router.

If the net route is used, staple one layer of deer fence or 3 layers of thin bird netting on the interior of the front and back panels tightly. Make sure that netting is secured on all layers and has no pieces sticking up that could hinder the entrance or exit of the bat.

The palm router can be used to, with a 1/4 inch bit, to create grooves running side to side along the boards that are 1/4 to a 1/2 inch apart for the bats to climb on.

Step 5: Assembling the Bat House.

Using the wood staples or the 1/2 inch nails, attach the thin side walls to the outside end of the front and back panels and attach the roof to the top of the house where the where the overhang goes over the front. (21 inch panel)

Step 6: Stain the House

Using a dark wood stain or paint, cover the entire outside of the house while not painting or staining where the bats will be. Make sure that the coat has time to dry and another coat may be applied. The stain or paint should be able to be used outdoors.

Step 7: Add the T-plate and Hang

Using large top nails, attach the T-plate to both the roof and back panel of the house after the stain is applied. Using 1 1/2 inch nails, this can be used to hang the house on a tree.