Mosquitos, Bats & Purple Martins

[Line Squirrel]

I started thinking the other day (I know, I know you can smell the wood burning) about a natural alternative to spraying for Mosquitos.
I know bats are an awesome critter and I hear Purple Martins are equally as good at catching the little blood suckers.

My question is, I wonder out loud if there is an organization that would be willing to come into a state park and put up houses for Bats and or PM's? Like the National Audubon Society or even the NSS for the Bat houses? Maybe donate the houses or at least the plans?

Is this something I should persue or is it just wishful thinking.

[Al]

My question is, I wonder out loud if there is an organization that would be willing to come into a state park and put up houses for Bats and or PM's? Like the National Audubon Society or even the NSS for the Bat houses? Maybe donate the houses or at least the plans?

Is this something I should persue or is it just wishful thinking.

Be careful about who you approach with this - at Dos Ojos, somehow they decided to put up a sign that says " NO MATAR LOS MOSQUITOS"

[curtschu]

When we had the Central Florida Cavers going strong we built houses and sold them at festivals like earthday to pay for trips and such. It gave us the chance to educate the public on bats and why you really want to have a resident coloney. I think that would be a great idea for a project at the local Home Depot. They always have the kids build bird houses. Do we have any HD employees in the group? I think we got the plans from the NSS. but I'm sure 5 minutes on google would give you all you need.
Are there house up in Peacock, LR and Cow?

[Puttzer]

And sponsoring / financing will not be a problem.

Richard
Tallahassee

My mother might donate hers. She bought one at an Audubon meeting, but before she had it put up, her neighbor told her that they had put one up above their patio, and within a few months their patio was covered in bat crap! Needless to say, it never got put up.

Russell

[Me]

An Eagle Scout project maybe? There's a park I walk in now and then that has several. In fact, the day I was walking a young man was putting them up with the help of his family and being curious, I asked. I was told they were bat houses and it was his Eagle project.

[Line Squirrel]

And sponsoring / financing will not be a problem.

Richard
Tallahassee

Can you PM me with your experiances in this? I would like to run with this.

[Line Squirrel]

ALL good ideas everybody! Thank you.

PS: As far as I know there are none at any of the usual cave sites.

[curtschu]

My mother might donate hers. She bought one at an Audubon meeting, but before she had it put up, her neighbor told her that they had put one up above their patio, and within a few months their patio was covered in bat crap! Needless to say, it never got put up.

Russell

Just like any other non-chemical solution people need to remember the item is generally placed away from the area of people. IE: those cool propane attractors, bug zappers even the old pest strips.
You want to place your bat box on the edge of the area you want them to cover. Anyone know a Florida bat's range? I found this site, it has plans and info on where to place house Etc. http://www.floridabats.org

[mpoucher]

Contact the Gainesville NSS Grotto - the FSS http://www.caves.com/fss/index.html

They should still have plans to build bat boxes and can point you in the right direction. They usually have a booth at the CDS workshop, which is coming up Memorial Day weekend!

[Janet]

I have plans for bat houses. We had a few people who were to build some for PSSP but we never had any delivered. I'm more than willing to share the plans. Janet

[SLIM]

Janet

I will bring one down if you email me the plans. Just remember that it will be December before you get it. LOL


SLIM

[Capt Tom McMillan]

I have plans for bat houses. We had a few people who were to build some for PSSP but we never had any delivered. I'm more than willing to share the plans. Janet

Janet,

If you will send me the plans, I will build a few and send them to you.

Regards,

Capt Tom

[Jason B.]

this really sounds like a decent idea.

jason

[Webmaster]

Try Bat Conservation International http://www.batcon.org

Marbry

[Line Squirrel]

Contact the Gainesville NSS Grotto - the FSS http://www.caves.com/fss/index.html

They should still have plans to build bat boxes and can point you in the right direction. They usually have a booth at the CDS workshop, which is coming up Memorial Day weekend!

Mike,
I just tapped them out an email, thanks!!
Mike

[Line Squirrel]

I have plans for bat houses. We had a few people who were to build some for PSSP but we never had any delivered. I'm more than willing to share the plans. Janet

Janet,
If you drop the plans off at the shop, I will figure out materials needed after I contact a few people and figure out how many bat houses we need for a given area.

Materials can't be that much, I would be willing to kick in the first $50, that may be all we need to cover Peacock & Madison Blue

I've seen these things before, they are not that difficult to build, plans would help with the internal structure, I know that is important so the little guys can "get a grip" inside.

I can start looking into Purple Martin houses after I get this rolling, may be easier to by these all made up, pass the hat around. I see the dried gourds hanging in front of peoples houses as well as fancy PM houses.

Thanks everybody for all the ideas, good stuff!!!!

Mike

[Janet]

The CSO will pay for any cost incurred by anyone making or shipping the bat houses. We really need some at Bonnet and for Troy, She is our sister park, we have to care for her also. I believe ISSP has them, Lafayette Blue is coming on line soon also. December Slim?? We'll wait! By the way I know Slim's real name-anyone want to guess? :twisted:
I'll email the plans. Captain Tom makes good tank benches, can't wait for the bat houses.
Thanks.

I'm interested in building some bat houses for the parks. I also have two little girls who would love to help out. 8)

[normblitch]

I have plans for bat houses. We had a few people who were to build some for PSSP but we never had any delivered. I'm more than willing to share the plans. Janet

Janet,
If you drop the plans off at the shop, I will figure out materials needed after I contact a few people and figure out how many bat houses we need for a given area.

Materials can't be that much, I would be willing to kick in the first $50, that may be all we need to cover Peacock & Madison Blue

I've seen these things before, they are not that difficult to build, plans would help with the internal structure, I know that is important so the little guys can "get a grip" inside.

I can start looking into Purple Martin houses after I get this rolling, may be easier to by these all made up, pass the hat around. I see the dried gourds hanging in front of peoples houses as well as fancy PM houses.

Thanks everybody for all the ideas, good stuff!!!!

Mike

If somebody will remember to "tap" me at the Workshop, I'll pony up some $$$'s as well...

Norm

[DeWayne]

... By the way I know Slim's real name-anyone want to guess? :twisted: ...Thanks.

For some odd reason I am betting on it being Leslie :P

[DeWayne]

I have plans for bat houses. We had a few people who were to build some for PSSP but we never had any delivered. I'm more than willing to share the plans. Janet

Janet,
If you drop the plans off at the shop, I will figure out materials needed after I contact a few people and figure out how many bat houses we need for a given area.

Materials can't be that much, I would be willing to kick in the first $50, that may be all we need to cover Peacock & Madison Blue

I've seen these things before, they are not that difficult to build, plans would help with the internal structure, I know that is important so the little guys can "get a grip" inside.

I can start looking into Purple Martin houses after I get this rolling, may be easier to by these all made up, pass the hat around. I see the dried gourds hanging in front of peoples houses as well as fancy PM houses.

Thanks everybody for all the ideas, good stuff!!!!

Mike

If somebody will remember to "tap" me at the Workshop, I'll pony up some $$$'s as well...

Norm

Ditto, let us know who is pasing the hat so we can toss something in.

[Line Squirrel]

Try Bat Conservation International http://www.batcon.org

Marbry


I found this site, it has plans and info on where to place house Etc. http://www.floridabats.org

Both of these are great websites, all the info needed is there along with plans and a material list.

I sent some emails to these organizations to try and figure out how many houses in a given space we should have. I will go to Lowes (or wherever) this weekend and price the material.

Janet - I would like to see the plans you have as well, I'll be around this weekend. I'll stop in and see you.

[Line Squirrel]

If somebody will remember to "tap" me at the Workshop, I'll pony up some $$$'s as well...

Norm

I will not make the workshop :( Can somebody on the board here that works near Luraville or frequents Peacock get with Norm and pass in the hat by proxy for me :-D

[Line Squirrel]

http://www.floridabats.org/BatHousePlans.htm

I went to Lowes in Lake City today, using the material list in the plans in the above website, the cost per bat house is $32.92 each give or take.

All we really need to borrow from somebody would be a circular saw/mitre box to make the cuts nice and purty. I have the rest of the tools necessary.

I need to get approval with each park manager of course, I don't know if they will allow us to do this. Also still waiting for answers as far as how much area 1 bat house of this size will cover but I'm guessing:

Peacock (1)
Orange Grove (1)
Bonnet (1)
Madison Blue (1) maybe (2)
Troy (1) maybe (2)

Maybe the CDS will donate $$$ to put one in at Cow!?!?! How about it board members???

[DeWayne]

If somebody will remember to "tap" me at the Workshop, I'll pony up some $$$'s as well...

Norm

I will not make the workshop :( Can somebody on the board here that works near Luraville or frequents Peacock get with Norm and pass in the hat by proxy for me :-D

Shame you won't be at the workshop this year Mike, will you be working at Cathy's over the weekend? I plan on hitting Peacock while I am down, and seeing as how you have taken the initiative to get this going I will look for you so I can contribute to the project. I will be more than happy to pass the hat around the workshop and see that the funds get to Mike if anyone else wants to contribute to the cause.

[Line Squirrel]

Shame you won't be at the workshop this year Mike, will you be working at Cathy's over the weekend? I plan on hitting Peacock while I am down, and seeing as how you have taken the initiative to get this going I will look for you so I can contribute to the project. I will be more than happy to pass the hat around the workshop and see that the funds get to Mike if anyone else wants to contribute to the cause.

Hi DeWayne,
Yep, I'm working the dive shop all day Sunday, stop in and say hello.
Mike