October is one time when the general population is happy to think about bats, but these little, mosquito-eating mammals aren't just for Halloween. The Conservation Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey recently showed the DIY enthusiasts at Etsy how to build a bat roost to help them the rest of the year.
The article on the Etsy Blog points out that "more than half of America's bat species are in severe decline." Habitat loss and disturbances to their hibernating colonies and summer roosts are one important factor, and, more drastically, White-Nose Syndrome has killed millions of hibernating bats.
The Conservation Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey's bat house is adapted from the Pennsylvania Game Commission's design. It helps local bats "by providing them with secure places to rest and raise their young." While the houses are intended for summer use, the designers explain that bats will be more likely to use them their first summer if installed before spring.
Read More: See full instructions on the Etsy Blog
(Image: Brian Henderson and Ben Wurst for the Etsy Blog)