A bat house can bolster the local population while helping with mosquito control. Photo: Steve Gonzales/Getty Images
If you're ready to level up your outdoor game, consider adding a bat box to your space.
Why it matters: Hosting bats takes patience and some strategic setup, but once your winged guests are settled, the benefits abound.
The big picture: Bats are under threat globally due to habitat loss. Giving them a safe place to roost helps protect these nocturnal MVPs — key pollinators that also spread seeds and devour pesky insects like mosquitoes, wasps and flies.
Pennsylvania is home to nine bat species — including five that are threatened or endangered.
Fun fact:Big brown bats are Pennsylvania's most common bat.
Friction point: If you build it, they might come. "Bat houses are complicated to get right," warn experts at Bat Conservation International. "They can go unused for years, attract pests, and even harm bats when installed incorrectly."
Yes, but: The effort can pay off, especially in cities. Without a proper roost, bats may end up in less-than-ideal spots like attics or lofts.
Get active: The Pennsylvania Game Commission each year hosts the Appalachian Bat Count to monitor summer bat colonies and help track populations.
The agency has building plans for bat houses of varying sizes.
