Integrated Boxes

Integrated bat boxes are built into the exterior walls of buildings, providing bats with a suitable roosting place. When installing a bat box, it is important to choose the right height. A height of at least 4 metres above the ground is generally recommended. Make sure the entrance remains unobstructed and is not blocked by gutters, downpipes, vegetation or other obstacles. You should also consider the bats' flight routes and the orientation of the box. The ideal location depends on the bat species and the purpose of the installation. For new-build projects or renovations based on an ecological survey, the recommendations in the ecological report should always be followed.

Yes, it is certainly possible to install multiple integrated bat boxes next to each other. This can even offer advantages, as bats use different roosting locations throughout the year. By combining several boxes, you provide bats with a greater choice of microclimates, temperatures and conditions. Ideally, install the boxes in different orientations, for example on walls with varying levels of sun exposure. This creates temperature differences that bats can take advantage of depending on the season. Veldshop offers several types of connectable integrated bat boxes. These boxes can be linked together using openings between the individual units. This creates one larger, interconnected roosting space with more available internal surface area. This can be useful when an ecological survey specifies particular requirements regarding the size of the roost. Depending on the design and configuration, such combinations may, for example, be suitable for use as maternity roosts.

Most bat boxes are delivered on a pallet. For some boxes, pallet delivery is only required from a certain order quantity. The minimum quantity from which pallet delivery applies is specified on the relevant product page. We use this shipping method to ensure that your order arrives in good condition. Wooden-concrete bat boxes in particular are heavy and fragile, making them less suitable for standard parcel delivery. Transporting these boxes on a pallet reduces the risk of damage during shipping. The full cost of pallet delivery is charged to the customer. These are the actual costs that we also pay for this type of shipment. Products for which pallet delivery applies above a certain quantity may not be ordered multiple times within a short period in quantities below the pallet-delivery threshold in order to avoid pallet shipping costs. If a bat box can be shipped in a regular parcel, our standard shipping rates apply. You can find our current shipping rates here.

A well-designed and correctly installed bat box does not necessarily have a negative impact on a home's energy performance. It is important to ensure that the insulation around and behind the box is properly installed. Use suitable insulation materials and prevent thermal bridges and unwanted air leaks. The installation method partly determines whether the insulating properties of the wall are maintained. Therefore, ensure that the connections are carefully finished and that the installation is adapted to the existing wall construction. This allows bats to have a suitable roosting place without causing unnecessary heat loss in the building.

Integrated bat boxes can be used in both new-build projects and renovation work. Depending on the type of box and the desired finish, there are several ways to incorporate them into an exterior wall. Some integrated bat boxes can be completely concealed within the wall, leaving only the entrance opening or a special entrance brick visible. Other models are installed with the entrance flush with the exterior wall or may partially protrude from the facade. For boxes with a separate entrance brick, the box is installed behind the outer wall, for example within the cavity wall. The box can then be secured using wooden blocks, angle brackets or mounting brackets. The entrance brick is subsequently incorporated into the masonry. For boxes where the entrance is part of the box itself, the box can be installed with its entrance flush with the exterior wall. The box is secured within the wall and carefully finished around the edges. Ideally, install the boxes at a height of at least 4 metres and not directly above doors or windows. Make sure there is sufficient clear space around the entrance so that bats can fly in and out without obstruction.

One of the main advantages of an integrated bat box is that it can be neatly concealed within the exterior wall. This largely preserves the appearance of the building and means that the box does not take up additional space on the outside of the facade. Integrated bat boxes can also be an effective way to create roosting opportunities for bats during new-build projects and renovations. Bats naturally make use of cavity walls and other spaces within buildings. If bats already use a cavity wall as a roosting place, an integrated bat box within the wall can provide a similar environment. This may increase the likelihood of bats accepting the new roost, provided that its other characteristics also meet the needs of the relevant bat species. Integrated bat boxes are therefore not only a practical solution, but also a sustainable way to accommodate bats in the built environment.