Let’s talk about the unsung heroes of your summer nights: bats.
They swoop silently above your lawn, devouring mosquitoes, moths, beetles, and other pesky critters—all while asking for basically nothing in return.
And here’s the wild part: you can invite them over. Yep. Right into your backyard.
No, not inside your attic.
No, they won’t get tangled in your hair.
Yes, you can 100% make a safe, bat-friendly backyard that’s good for them and your sanity during mosquito season.
So let’s break it down, Ohio-style. Whether you’re in a leafy suburb, a cozy village, or even a more urban area, you can make some easy changes to become a five-star bat BnB.
Why Bats Need Our Help (Especially in Ohio)
First—some real talk.
Ohio is home to around 10 bat species, including the little brown bat, big brown bat, eastern red bat, and silver-haired bat. Most are insectivores, and many are facing serious threats like:
- Habitat loss
- Light pollution
- White-nose syndrome
- Human fear & misinformation
By creating a welcoming environment, you’re helping preserve these misunderstood mammals—and scoring some serious eco-karma in the process.
1. Put Up a Bat House (They Need a Place to Crash)
Let’s start with the big one: shelter.
Most Ohio bats roost in trees, caves, or crevices—but those are disappearing fast. A bat house gives them a safe, dry, warm place to raise their pups.
What makes a good bat house?
- Made of wood (cedar or pine is great)
- Rough interior or mesh so bats can cling easily
- Mounted at 12–20 feet off the ground
- Faces south or southeast for sun warmth
- Placed near water and in open space (not surrounded by trees)
You can build your own or buy one pre-made from wildlife stores or even Home Depot. Just make sure it’s certified by Bat Conservation International if you want a proven design.
Pro tip: Paint it a dark color (non-toxic paint!) to absorb heat in Ohio’s cooler climate.
2. Add a Water Source
Bats, like everyone else, need to hydrate.
If you’ve got a pond, creek, or even a birdbath, that’s already a plus. If not, consider creating a small water feature or placing a shallow dish of water outside during dry months.
Just make sure it’s:
- Shallow enough to be safe
- Cleaned regularly
- Not placed too close to walkways or pets
Water attracts both insects and bats—a win-win!
3. Plant Night-Blooming Flowers (A.K.A. the Bat Buffet)
No, bats don’t eat flowers—but they love the insects that do.
Planting night-blooming, fragrant flowers boosts insect activity at dusk, creating an all-you-can-eat bug buffet for your local bat crew.
Try these in your Ohio garden:
- Evening primrose
- Moonflower
- Nicotiana (flowering tobacco)
- Four o’clocks
- Datura
- Yucca
Add in some herbs like lemon balm, basil, or mint for even more insect appeal.
Bonus: your yard smells great, looks magical at dusk, and becomes a late-night hangout for pollinators and bats.
4. Keep It Dark – Bats Are Not Party Animals
Light pollution is a big deal.
Bats are nocturnal and prefer dark, quiet environments. Bright yard lights can confuse them or push them away from potential roosting and feeding spots.
Try these swaps:
- Replace floodlights with motion-sensor lights
- Use warm-colored, low-wattage bulbs
- Turn off porch lights when not in use
- Keep decorative lighting on timers
Think of your backyard as a tiny wildlife refuge. Give them the moonlight and let the bats do their thing.
5. Ditch the Pesticides
If you want bats, you need bugs.
And if you want healthy bugs (and bats that aren’t poisoned), cut back or eliminate chemical pesticides in your yard.
Pesticides don’t just kill pests—they can:
- Harm pollinators
- Poison small mammals and birds
- Contaminate water
- Weaken your yard’s whole natural cycle
Instead, go organic or natural:
- Use neem oil or vinegar sprays
- Attract birds and bats for pest control
- Mulch and compost naturally
- Let spiders and ladybugs do their thing
Nature already has pest control—it just needs a little encouragement.
6. Keep Some “Wild” in Your Yard
Clean, trimmed lawns might look pretty, but bats prefer diverse, natural spaces.
Let a corner of your yard stay a little wild:
- Leave dead trees or snags (if they’re not a safety hazard)
- Create a brush pile for bugs and small critters
- Avoid over-pruning trees, especially those that flower or bear fruit
- Mix up your garden with native Ohio plants like black-eyed Susans, coneflowers, and milkweed
These little wild zones support insects, pollinators, and bats, giving them food, shelter, and cover.
7. Don’t Disturb Roosts (Even If It’s Your Attic)
Sometimes bats take up residence in not-so-ideal places—like your attic or barn.
If you do have bats in your home:
- Don’t panic.
- Don’t hurt them.
- Don’t seal up exits during summer, when baby bats can’t fly yet.
Instead:
- Wait until late fall or early spring when they migrate or hibernate.
- Then call a licensed wildlife control specialist in Ohio who can humanely relocate them.
- Install a bat exclusion device to let them out safely without letting them back in.
Then install that bat house nearby so they still have somewhere to go.
8. Educate Your Family and Neighbors
Let’s face it—bats still get a bad rap. People think they’re dirty, disease-ridden, or dangerous. But the truth is:
- Most bats don’t carry rabies (less than 1%)
- They’re clean animals that groom constantly
- They want nothing to do with humans
- They do a ton for the ecosystem
So share your bat knowledge. Post pics. Invite friends to your backyard bat walks. Normalize being a bat fan. You might just inspire someone else to build a bat-friendly garden too.
TL;DR – How to Make Your Ohio Backyard Bat-Ready:
| Step | Action | Why It Helps |
|---|---|---|
| 1️⃣ | Install a bat house | Gives them a safe place to live |
| 2️⃣ | Add a water source | Keeps bats hydrated & attracts insects |
| 3️⃣ | Plant night-bloomers | Boosts nighttime bugs (bat food) |
| 4️⃣ | Dim the lights | Makes your yard less stressful for bats |
| 5️⃣ | Skip the pesticides | Keeps bugs healthy and bats safer |
| 6️⃣ | Let part of your yard go wild | Encourages biodiversity |
| 7️⃣ | Handle attic bats humanely | Protects local populations |
| 8️⃣ | Educate others | Changes the narrative around bats |
Final Thoughts: Be the Backyard Bat Hero Ohio Needs
Creating a bat-friendly backyard isn’t hard. It doesn’t take a ton of money or effort. But the payoff?
- Fewer mosquitoes
- Healthier gardens
- Better ecosystems
- The satisfaction of helping a species that truly needs it
Plus, watching bats fly at dusk? Totally magical. It feels like nature giving you a high five.
So hang that bat house. Plant those moonflowers. Turn off the floodlights.
And know that when night falls, your backyard becomes a tiny wildlife sanctuary—with bats as its guardians.