How to build a bat box

Build your own bat box and give a bat a safe place to roost.

There are estimated to be more than 15 million gardens in the UK, covering an area greater than all of the UK’s nature reserves combined. Our gardens and public green spaces are vitally important habitats for wildlife, including bats.

The UK is home to 18 species of bat, the largest being the noctule which weighs the same as four £1 coins, and the smallest is the pipistrelle, which weighs as little as a 2p coin.

Installing a bat box will help local bats, encouraging them to move into areas that have limited roosting space. All our bats are insect-eaters, so having a few flitting around might just make those evenings in the garden a little less buggy!

Our gardens and public green spaces are vitally important habitats for wildlife, including bats

Building your bat box

See the illustration below for a step-by-step guide to putting together your bat box.

What you need:

Untreated rough sawn timber
Tape measure and pencil
Hammer
Saw
Nails
Brackets

Step 1
Cut your timber to the dimensions shown below.

Step 2
Nail together the boards using the risers to create gaps in between.

Step 3
Attach brackets to enable you to attach the box to the wall

Step 4
Fix as high as possible in a sheltered, wind-free position, exposed to the sun for part of the day.

Download the sheet

Remember!

All UK bats and their roosts are protected by law, which means it is illegal to harm or disturb them. Once up, a bat box cannot be opened legally without a licence. For more information on bats and the law call the Bat Helpline 0345 1300 228.

Read our guide on helping bats in your garden

What we do

Surrey Wildlife Trust is one of 46 Wildlife Trusts working across the UK. With the invaluable support of volunteers and members we manage over 8000ha of land for wildlife and people in Surrey.

Find out more