I have not put them up on my property, but I do know that there are Boy Scouts who did their Eagle Projects around Allen by building and mounting bat houses in wild areas around town. I asked the Parks and Rec. people about them and was told that they sometimes take a year or two to become occupied. I'm sure you can find some good recommendations at the website for Bat Conservation International. I did a search for "bat house" at their site and found this information that might be helpful. Click on the links to the publications on criteria for successful bat houses and tips on attracting bats for the information I'm sure that will be helpful to you.

Here is a link that might be useful: Bat Conservation International - bat house info.

I got one at a big box several years ago and then discovered I didn't really have a good spot for it. I put it in a tree anyway but no bats. They'll fly over the driveway but they didn't find the house. The squirrels did. They chewed on the bottom. I'm in Plano too.

Thanks for the information Denise and Ann. I hope I can attract bats. I think it would be interesting and they may help with mosquito control. I was going to get a purple martin house until I read that they don't eat that many mosquitos and they seem to be pretty high maintenance.

Ann, I read your profile. Did you get rid of all of your lawn yet? I am removing mine to and replacing it with native prairie grasses, flowers, and shrubs. It is much more interesting than mowed grass, but my neighbors don't get it.

Not yet. We have a lot of lawn but in the front yard, it is finally turning into more flowers, shrubs, etc than grass.

mscotty12321, I put a bat house out made from BCI plans. Nary a bat in two years.

Martins don't eat mesquitos but they're happy birds and fun to have around. I look forward to that crackle song about this time every year. Not trying to change your mind, just my .02. As far as maitenence I do clean the house out annually, thats about it. If you get one get a starling resistent house and put a predator guard on it. I prefer the SK houses and poles.