Bat House Kit Assembly

We hand out free bird house and bat house kits at fairs and events. These instructions are intended to help parents with no woodworking experience assemble these kits with their children.

The Bat House kit has its parts cut from wood recovered from pallets.

One roof piece
Two matching sides
One long back
One front that is shorter than the back.
One center divider. This is narrower than the front or back.

You will need two tools and some glue.

A drill with a 3/32 inch drill bit.
A hammer or a rock to hammer in the nails. I recommend the hammer option.
A drop or two of glue.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

The bat house is made from heat treated wood taken from pallets. There are no dangerous chemicals found in pressure treated wood. The wood is of varying type and quality and perfectly fine for a rustic bat house.

Pilot Holes

We are drilling pilot holes for the nails. This helps to stop the wood from splitting on these small pieces.

Assembly Steps

Step 1: Find the back and two sides. Start with one side and align it to one of the back edges. Drill pilot holes near the top and bottom through the back into the side and nail. Do the same with the other side.
Step 2: Slide the divider about midway into the center and near the angle at the top of the sides. Do not have it go higher than the sides or the roof will not sit correctly. Drill pilot holes near the top and bottom through sides into the center divider nail. Do the same with the other side.
Step 3: Place the front on to the sides and align the top edge so the roof can angle over it. Drill pilot holes near the top and bottom on each side and nail. Do the same with the other side.
Step 4: Turn the hose right side up and place the roof on it. Drill two holes on each of the opposite diagonal sides of the roof and nail.
Step 5: Hang the Bat House at least six feet off the ground. Higher is better. We recommend that you do NOT paint or otherwise decorate the bat house. The bats we have talked to do not seem to like the odor or other aspects of paint.

Layout the bat house pieces and your tools.

Place the back on the sides and drill pilot holes.

Take the back off the sides and nail until the nails just poke through.

Place the back onto the sides and nail.

Flip the bat house over and repat for the other side. You may need to squeeze in the sidess

Nail on the back.

Turn the bat house upright and slide in the narrow piece.

Place the divider about center.and be sure it is below the top of the sides.

Place on the side and drill pilot holes and nail.

Turn the bat house upright.

Place the long roof on the top. Drill two piloit holes on each side and nail.

Hang the bat house and enjoy?

Please send your pictures of your bird houses to dan@themakershive.org to share in our bird house gallery.

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