Continue reading to learn some easy and safe tips for getting started!
Bats in the Chimney
Most likely, if you have bats in the fireplace, they are coming and entering from the chimney. Bats like to roost and nest inside chimneys because of their obvious warmth, but also for adequate protection against predators and inclement weather. Signs that you may have bats inside your fireplace or chimney include strange, high-pitched noises at night, scuffling sounds, bat feces (guano) in the fireplace, and foul smells coming from inside the fireplace. There are two vital steps to take right away if you suspect there are bats in the chimney or fireplace. Do not hesitate even for a second on these two important tasks if you think you might have a bat infestation.
Here’s what to do:
❶ Close the Damper! If the damper is left open, you can risk letting bats enter your home. And having flying bats inside your house is a bigger issue of safety and structural damage! Closing the damper also ensures that all the bats within the colony are accurately and properly excluded at the time of service.
❷ Do Not Make a Fire! It is inhumane (and illegal) to kill bats, which happen to be highly beneficial parts of our surrounding eco-systems. Starting a fire will not only kill bats, it can cause other issues as well. To start a fire you must open the damper, which as we already discussed, will allow bats to enter into your home and lead to a whole other level of concerns.
The Final Step
After you are well-aware of these first two steps to getting rid of bats in the fireplace, you are ready to take the third and final step: calling a licensed bat removal and control company. They retain the proper tools, training, and resources to safely remove bats and prevent their return, all within a convenient time frame.
It is strongly encouraged to contact a licensed and experienced wildlife control company that provides bat removal and exclusion services. Be sure they only use safe and non-lethal methods of animal removal, and have at least ten years of experience working with bats. A company with these credentials are much more likely to be trusted for quality workmanship and fair prices.