Want to make your garden a welcoming spot for bats while supporting the local ecosystem? Attracting bats can bring more life to your outdoor space and help control insects naturally.
You can easily create a garden that draws bats by adding simple features like certain flowers, a water source, and places for bats to rest. These ideas work well for anyone interested in boosting nighttime activity in their yard.
1. Grow Flowers That Open at Night
Last update on 2026-02-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
You can draw bats by choosing flowers that bloom after dark. These plants give off scent and nectar when the sun goes down. Some good options include evening primrose, moonflower, and night-scented stock. These attract the insects bats feed on at night.
2. Add Local Blooming Plants
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Choose native flowering plants to support insects that bats eat. These plants fit your area’s weather and soil well. By growing flowers that attract moths and beetles, you help create a steady food source. This encourages bats to visit your garden often.
3. Put Up a Bat Shelter
Last update on 2026-02-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
You can attract bats by placing a bat shelter in your yard. Choose a sunny place, high on a pole or on a building. This gives bats a safe and warm spot to rest during the day. Make sure it is away from areas where predators can reach it easily.
4. Add a Small Water Spot
You can place a pond or birdbath to give bats a place to drink. Keep the water clean and easy for bats to reach. Make sure nothing blocks their flight path, so they can drink safely without trouble. This helps create a more bat-friendly space in your yard.
5. Skip Chemical Sprays
You should avoid using chemical sprays in your garden. These chemicals kill insects that bats depend on for food. Using natural ways to control pests helps keep insects safe and supports bats. Choosing eco-friendly options encourages a healthy space where bats can thrive.
6. Allow Part of Your Garden to Stay Untouched
You can attract more bats by leaving some areas of your garden natural. These wild spots support many insects, which are food for bats. Keeping parts of your yard less managed helps bats find better places to hunt and feel comfortable.
7. Plant Fruit Trees or Bushes
You can attract bats by adding fruit trees or bushes to your garden. Plants like fig, guava, and local berry bushes draw fruit flies and other insects that bats feed on. This creates a steady food supply, especially for bats that eat insects rather than fruit.
8. Add Plants That Bring in Moths
You should pick plants that bloom at night or have a strong scent to attract moths. Moths serve as food for many bats. Try planting jasmine, honeysuckle, or nicotiana to help draw moths to your garden.
9. Create Dark, Quiet Places for Bats to Rest
You can attract bats by offering shady, calm spots where they can rest during daylight. Dense bushes, walls covered with ivy, or quiet corners work well for this. Make sure these areas stay calm and undisturbed to encourage bats to roost safely.
10. Keep Dead Trees or Snags When Safe
You can help bats by leaving dead trees standing if there is no safety risk. These trees offer spaces like holes and cracks where bats like to rest. Before you decide, check that the tree won’t fall or cause harm. Consider asking a tree professional if you are unsure.
11. Use Motion-Activated Lights Carefully
You should place motion-activated lights only where needed, like near pathways or doors. These lights turn on briefly, reducing constant brightness that may scare bats. Avoid lighting near places where bats rest to keep them comfortable and safe in your garden.
12. Add Climbing Vines or Vertical Supports
You can grow plants like jasmine or clematis on trellises to create shelter and attract insects nearby. These vines help make your garden look softer and more natural. Using vertical space also supports a steady food source for wildlife like bats.
13. Plant Herbs Like Mint and Rosemary
You can attract more insects by growing herbs such as mint and rosemary in your garden. These plants add pleasant scents and also bring more life to your outdoor space. For best results, group them together or use them along the edges of your garden areas.
14. Add Tall Structures for Bats to Rest On
You can attract bats by adding vertical features like poles, tall plants, or trellises in your yard. These help bats find their way and offer places to rest. Including such elements replicates the natural edges of forests where bats hunt and feel comfortable. This makes your garden more inviting to them.
15. Build a Garden That Attracts Pollinators and Bats
You can boost wildlife by planting flowers that bloom at different times. Mixing various plants creates a steady supply of nectar and insects. This also helps bats find food since insects gather around your garden after dark. Keep your garden natural and varied to support more pollinators.
16. Create a Compost Area or Insect Shelter
You can attract more bats by providing a steady food source like insects. Building a compost pile or insect shelter encourages bugs such as beetles and flies to thrive. Place these in quiet, protected spots in your garden to help create the best environment for them.
17. Layer Your Plants to Copy Forest Growth
You can plant your garden in different levels like a forest to help attract bats. Start with low ground covers, then add shrubs, and finally taller trees. This setup offers many places for insects at various heights, which bats like to eat.
Including plants that bloom at night gives bats extra food. Make sure to have a water source and safe spots where bats can rest during the day. Avoid using chemicals, as these can harm insects and bats.
Focus on adding plants that bring in insects. This approach makes your garden a natural space where bats feel welcome and helps keep your local ecosystem balanced.