For prey opportunities, bats prefer to live near water, especially around marshes, lakes, and rivers.
Bats also find enough insects to eat around orchards and other agricultural areas.
The location of your bat house is important. For example, baby bats thrive best where daytime temperatures are between 80-100F. To achieve these temperatures, a bat house should receive at least 6 hours of morning sun, depending on your latitude. In warm climates, it should be shaded in the afternoon. This provides a temperature range within the house, allowing bats to seek out a comfortable spot. Bats also seem to prefer locations that are relatively protected from the wind.