habi-sabi

bat box

Some bat species prefer human-made structures to their natural roosts, whereas others are forced to roost in buildings when natural roosts such as caves and hollow trees are destroyed. Bat species that frequently use bat boxes in the UK include the brown long-eared bat (Plecotus auritus) and pipistrelle species.

Bat populations are particularly threatened by the prevalence of non-woven synthetic roofing membranes, in which they sadly become trapped. Roosting aids such as the habi-sabi bat box are a safe alternative for bats. A well-constructed and properly located bat roost may attract bats if they live in or pass through your general area. Bats need and seek a roost in a sunny spot – a warm place in which to raise their young, that allows them to decrease their metabolic rate during roosting.

The habi-sabi bat box is a ‘Kent’ type bat box with grooved landing board, ideal for crevice-roosting bats such as pipistrelle species, Brandt’s bats (Myotis brandtii) and whiskered bats (Myotis mystacinus). It is designed to be mounted to an external wall. The box is easy to assemble and fit – in order to keep the bats comfortable, your box should be caulked and ideally screwed together (unlike other products in our range which require no additional fixings). This is to create a microclimate inside the roosts, trapping the heat of the sun and the warmth generated by the bats.

We recommend placing your habi-sabi bat box at least 4 metres above the ground and away from strong winds and artificial lights. The box should be exposed to sunlight for part of the day, so south, south-east and south-west facing orientations are best. Please note that bats are very vulnerable to disturbance and are fully protected under UK law, so occupied bat boxes must only be opened by a licensed bat worker. For further information please refer to the Bat Conservation Trust website.

There is no need to paint or varnish your habi-sabi box, you can wipe the box clean with a damp cloth when unoccupied. Our boxes are manufactured from Phonotherm 200 – a rigid, inert, durable and stable insulating board made from post-consumer recycled materials that would otherwise be destined for landfill. The boxes combine physical stability and optimal thermal performance. Manufacturing complies with environmental standard ISO 14001 and the boxes are free from adhesives and formaldehydes, making them safe for wildlife. The habi-sabi bat box is fully compliant with the Bat Conservation Trust.