Skip to main content

BCI Certificate: Why You Should Care About It

BCI Certificate: Why You Should Care About It

The BCI certified bat house is designed to provide roosting and sheltering opportunities for bats. The bat house is made of cedar wood and has a dark brown finish. The interior of the bat house is divided into two chambers, each of which has a landing platform.

The bat house also has a vents and a drainage hole to help with airflow and to keep the roosting area dry. Building a bat house is a great way to provide shelter for these important animals. 

Bats play a vital role in our ecosystem by eating insects that are harmful to crops and humans. In this blog post, we'll show you how to build a BCI certified bat house. 

So, What are BCI certified Bat Houses

A bat house is a structure designed to attract bats so they can live in it. Bat houses provide roosting habitat for bats, which are important for the ecosystem and for controlling pests. By providing a habitat for bats, you can help reduce the use of pesticides, increase the number of predators of night-flying insects, and support the local ecosystem.

There are many different designs of bat houses, but all must meet certain criteria to be BCI (Bat Conservation International) certified. BCI-certified bat houses are the most effective at attracting and housing bats. To be BCI certified, a bat house must:

  • Be made of wood
  • Have a minimum width of 14 inches
  • Have a minimum height of 18 inches
  • Have a minimum of two chambers
  • Have a landing area for bats to enter the house

Why should you purchase a BCI certified bat house?

BCI adheres to strict bat home construction guidelines. It is important to get a BCI certified bat house. Most bat houses that are NOT BCI approved have small spaces that are not spacious for bats. The proper installation and manufacturing is often inadequate that has no temperature diversity and does not help the needs of bats. So instead of making regular visits to find the right bat house, it's best to choose the right BCI certified bat house from the very start! 

What Makes a Bat House BCI certified?

 The Bat Conservation International (BCI) is the gold standard for bat houses. To be BCI certified, a bat house must meet certain criteria, including:

  • The bat house must be at least two feet tall and 16 inches wide.
  • The bat house must have at least 24 square feet of internal roosting space.
  • The bat house must be made of durable materials that will withstand the elements.
  • The bat house must be designed to exclude non-target animals, such as squirrels and birds.

If you're interested in providing a safe and welcoming home for bats, be sure to check out Big Bat Box certified by Merlin Tuttle Bat Conservation.  

How to Install your BCI Certified Bat House

Installing your BCI certified bat house is simple and can be done in a few easy steps.

  1. Begin by finding a suitable location for your bat house. It should be placed in an area that is clear of trees, buildings, and other structures. The bat house should also be facing a south- or southeast-facing slope to maximize the amount of sunlight it receives.
  2. Once you have found the perfect location, it's time to start installing your bat house. Begin by attaching the mounting bracket to the bat house using screws or nails. Then, use the screws or nails to secure the bat house to the chosen location.
  3. That's it! Your bat house is now installed and ready to provide a safe and warm home for our little flying friends.

Wrapping it All Up! 

BCI certified bat boxes are important. Not for bats, but for your conversation purpose as well. These houses are well-built, solid and sustain your installation purpose for a long time. With a good bat house installed, not only will you be helping endangered bats survive but also contributing to a healthy ecosystem. 

NOTE: Big Bat Box is now Merlin Tuttle Bat Conservation Certified.