House Placement For Bluebirds, Purple Martins and Bats
Bluebird Houses - Bluebirds can tolerate shade, but prefer open areas and are most happy when their houses are placed along fencerows. Install bluebird houses at least 4-6 feet off the ground in a moderately open area with a few bushes and shrubs interspersed throughout.
Purple Martin Houses - Purple Martins like to nest in colonies but prefer to keep humans and other structures at a safe distance, so the more open the area the better. Purple martin houses are best placed in a centrally located area of the yard that is at least 40 feet away from human habitats and trees. Housing can face any direction. However, once you have decided on an orientation, it is important that the house remain secure and the direction it is facing does not change. If the house shifts on its pole, Purple Martins may become disoriented, causing them to abandon their nests.
Bat Houses - Believe it or not, bats are an incredibly beneficial addition to your yard. Bats are the single most effective natural source of mosquito and insect control and have the ability to eat their body weight in bugs during one evening alone! Bat houses should be placed high on buildings or posts, typically 15-18 feet above ground. Placing a bat house next to vents on the outside of a home with an attic will deter the creatures from inhabiting homes. In many cases this is also a safe way to move bats that are already nesting in homes.
