Bats might not be everyone’s favorite neighbor, but when it comes to natural pest control, they’re some of the best helpers you can have. One bat can eat up to 1,000 mosquitoes in a single night, making them a homeowner’s secret weapon for keeping bug populations down—especially during those hot Memphis summers. If you’re looking for a safe, eco-friendly way to manage pests around your home, installing a bat house is a smart and sustainable option.
As a professional handyman based in East Memphis, I’ve installed a number of bat houses for homeowners, landowners, and even small farms across the region. I can personally vouch for how effective and surprisingly low-maintenance these tiny homes for bats really are. Once you understand the benefits and the right way to do it, you’ll never look at bats the same way again.
Why Install a Bat House?
Natural Mosquito Control: Let’s face it—here in Memphis, mosquito season hits hard. Instead of relying on chemical sprays or expensive yard treatments, bat houses attract these natural insect predators to your property.
Support Local Wildlife: Bat populations across the U.S. have been declining due to habitat loss and diseases like White-Nose Syndrome. Installing a bat house helps support a healthy bat population while also maintaining local biodiversity.
Eco-Friendly Solution: Bats are harmless when given proper space. Unlike rodents or raccoons, they won’t dig through your trash or try to move into your attic. Providing a bat house gives them a safe, designated spot where they can roost without becoming a nuisance.
The Right Way to Install a Bat House
Not all bat houses are created equal, and neither are all installation spots. From my experience, if you want bats to actually use your bat house, you need to follow a few key guidelines:
Height Matters: I always recommend mounting bat houses at least 12–20 feet off the ground, on a building or a pole—not on a tree. Trees often have too much shade and can attract predators like owls or snakes.
Full Sun Exposure: Believe it or not, bats love warmth. That means placing your bat house in a location where it gets at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight per day is ideal. In Memphis, I usually go for southeast-facing placement to catch the morning and midday sun.
Solid Mounting: Bat houses need to be extremely stable. I’ve seen folks try to hang them like birdhouses, only to watch them blow down in the next storm. I secure bat houses using lag bolts directly into poles or structures to ensure they’re wind-resistant and long-lasting.
Avoid Obstructions: Make sure there’s a clear flight path below the bat house. That means trimming bushes or branches and not placing it above porches, windows, or heavy traffic areas.
My Personal Experience Installing Bat Houses
I remember one job in particular—out in the suburbs near Germantown. The homeowner had a backyard pool and was constantly battling mosquitoes. He’d tried citronella candles, bug zappers, and even hired a pest control company. When he heard about bat houses, he gave me a call.
I helped him choose a quality cedar bat house and mounted it on a tall wooden pole about 15 feet behind his garage. It got plenty of sun, and we cleared out the surrounding area. Within about 6 weeks, a small colony of bats had moved in. By the end of summer, he told me he hardly noticed any mosquitoes in the evenings and hadn’t needed to use a single spray can.
That experience stuck with me. Since then, I’ve helped other homeowners do the same thing—each with similar results.
East Memphis Handyman – Your Go-To for Bat House Installation
If you’re ready to fight mosquitoes the natural way and support local wildlife, let East Memphis Handyman take care of the job. I’ll help you select the right bat house, pick the perfect location, and install it securely for long-term use. With years of hands-on experience and a passion for practical solutions, I make sure every install is done right the first time.
Here’s what you can expect:
Expert advice on bat house selection and placement
Safe, sturdy mounting on poles, homes, or barns
Professional-grade materials and installation tools
Respect for your property and the local environment
Follow-up support if needed
Let’s Give Bats a Home—and Keep Mosquitoes Away
Bat houses are one of the smartest additions you can make to your property, especially here in the Mid-South. They’re safe, sustainable, and surprisingly effective. If you’re curious about installing one, reach out today for a free consultation.
Let’s turn your yard into a mosquito-free zone—the natural way.