Bats are generally shy creatures, but when they’re spooked and find themselves in a tight space like under your roof or inside the chimney of your home, they may become aggressive. This user’s guide will show you how to get bats out of a chimney safely and humanely without harming them.
Itching to get rid of those pesky bats in your chimney? We have the perfect guide for you! There are several steps that will help you remove these critters and keep them out so they don’t return.
- research what kind of bat is living in your chimney: we recommend starting with a video or capturing some droppings (beware, this may be messy!) and then checking with an expert if needed.
- locate all access points around the house: use a flashlight to inspect the roofline, eaves, vents, gables and other openings into the attic area;
- seal off any entrances found by using wire mesh (while wearing protective gear), metal flashing or sheet metal;
You can also use a one way door (a mesh tube that the bats can exit through but not reenter) or try to capture and move them if you want.
These steps will ensure the bats are out for good – we wish you luck! But remember, it is illegal in most places to kill wild animals unless they are sick or causing damage, so try to move the bats if they are healthy.
We hope this guide is helpful! Let us know in comments how it goes.
What is a Bat?
Bats are small, nocturnal flying mammals. They use echolocation to fly in the dark and find their food (e.g., moths). Bats hibernate during winter months when they live alone or in colonies called roosts that can contain thousands of bats!
How to identify if you have Bats in your Chimney?
The first sign of the presence of bats in your chimney is that you will hear them screeching or squeaking. This can be very annoying and sometimes scary to hear!
If you have bats, then there is a good chance that their droppings are on your roof.
Another sign of the presence of bats in chimney is the smell! You will be able to identify this very easily because it may become unbearable at times. The best thing would be to act fast and get rid of them before the smell becomes too bad!
If you know that there is a bat’s nest in the chimney, then it will be very easy to identify. This can be identified by seeing if their droppings are on your roof or not!
How to get rid of Bats in the Chimney?
Bats are the flying mammals that feed on insects and fruit. They have a complex echolocation system which is used to find food, avoid obstacles and communicate with their own kind. Bats do not suck blood as many people believe; they pass through open doors or windows when exiting your house looking for bugs because it’s much easier than going out by the chimney.
- You may be able to chase bats from inside your chimney if you can remove any roosting sites in either side of the fireplace/chimney areas where they might be nesting within 20 feet of an exit point (entry) such as a door, window etc… If there appears no access points around this area chances are good they will not go out and you may need to hire a professional.
- Place one or two bright lights inside the fireplace/chimney area where they might be roosting; this should encourage them to find another exit point if there appears no access points around this area as mentioned above. The more light, the better chance at success! If possible leave these on during the day time hours for several days until all signs indicate that bats have vacated your home – it’s best to wait about three weeks before sealing up any potential entry areas just in case some decide to stay behind. Note: don’t use candles as open fire can cause serious damage and injury if flammable materials are present.
- It’s also helpful to keep the heat on in your house during winter months as this will help prevent bats from returning inside, though they can survive lower temperatures than you might think! The best time of day for hunting insects is early evening when it’s not too hot or cold out and before rain starts up.
- If after several days have passed there appears no signs indicating that bats have vacated your home make sure to look around outside near possible entry points such as doors, windows etc… You may be able to see areas where there could be an opening if one exists; these places should then be sealed up by either caulk/putty, expanding foam insulation etc…
- The difference between using a professional and DIY methods to get bats out of chimney
- The professional method to remove the bat is safe and effective. They will provide you with a clear plan on how they are going to do it, using their experience in this field. However, if you choose to use DIY methods instead, there is still hope for your situation but be prepared that the results might not be the same as promised.
- If anything goes wrong during removing them yourself or hiring someone non-professional without any necessary licenses, then there won’t be anyone who can take responsibility for what happened. The last thing we want is something bad happening while trying to get rid of these little guys! So unless you really know what you are doing when it comes down to dealing with wild animals like bats, then we would highly recommend you to call a professional.
- You can use the tools provided to do it yourself. Make sure you get rid of all bats in the house, every nook and cranny. You need a high-quality bat repellent that will work as described on their label without any risks or side effects for humans or pets living inside your home. If there are kids around, be extra careful about using chemicals near them! One good idea is to contact local authorities if you have found out where they live so someone with proper licenses could come and handle this situation instead of putting yourself at risk by doing something wrong.
- Do not try catching them unless you know what’s going on! Never attempt trying to catch them alone because these little guys might react differently than you expected, especially if you are trying to catch an adult bat. If it feels threatened, then there is a big chance that they might attack the air around them or even bite! Also never try to handle baby bats by yourself because their parents will not be anywhere near and could cause more trouble than good for both of you.
- Be careful about sleeping in your house after doing this task! Wear some protection when going back home so these little guys won’t end up biting while crawling over your skin during the night time (bats usually do this). You can use gloves or something similar to protect yourself from scratches since injuries caused by bites may get infected pretty easily due to sharp teeth on their mouth. To keep them away from coming back, you can seal any gaps around your house that they could be using to get inside. That would keep them from getting back in there anytime soon!
- Don’t forget to call a professional if things go wrong! They have all the tools and experience needed for this task so it will be done right without putting anyone at risk of injury or infection. However, even though professionals are used for these kinds of situations, we still recommend calling someone with proper licenses just as an extra precautionary measure because accidents do happen sometimes no matter how experienced those guys might be. There is nothing worse than thinking everything went well only to find out later on that something has gone wrong and now you need help again but by then it’s already too late.
- Be careful about the proper cleaning process! There might be some pieces of debris left behind after removing bats from your house, so you will need to clean everything properly before using it again or letting people inside your home since there is a big chance that these little guys have gone somewhere else on their own but are still living in your attic for example which can cause many problems if not dealt with quickly enough. If needed, use gloves once more during the cleaning process just as an extra protection against possible infections and scratches caused by sharp nails on those tiny feet they have up there… Ew!
Why it’s important for homeowners to know how to get rid of these pesky creatures on their own?
The average cost of a professional bat removal is $300-$550.
Many homeowners don’t know how to get rid of bats in chimney and end up hiring professionals anyway (which costs them even more).
Bat removal is not as easy as it might seem at first glance.
Getting rid of bats in chimney can be done by one person without too much hassle, but there are several things you have to take into account before starting the process. The main thing that homeowners usually don’t know how to do is seal their chimneys properly so no more bats could enter them again. Before you start sealing your chimneys, make sure to hire a professional who will inspect both interior and exterior parts of the building for damages caused by these creatures over time. If any damage was found during this inspection, it has to be fixed immediately or else your efforts would go down the drain (literally) along with all those pesky little mammals.
Once the damage has been fixed, you can start sealing your chimney. If possible, hire a professional to inspect it one more time and make sure there are no gaps left where bats could enter. It is also recommended to use special rubber sealants during this process as they will last longer than other materials (such as cement or metal). After everything is done and three inspections have turned out successful (two by professionals and one by yourself), you should sleep easy knowing that those pesky little mammals won’t be coming back anytime soon if ever again!
Environmental Protection
Bats are very sensitive to pollution, so you should never use chemicals when trying to remove them from your home. Instead of using harmful insecticides or harsh cleaning products, try making a homemade trap instead! Bait the traps with peanut butter and place them in areas where there is high bat activity. Once they’ve been caught, release them at least 20 miles away from your property (preferably somewhere that isn’t polluted).
If you need to hire a professional, make sure that they are reputable and have the proper permits. Most states require bat control services to be licensed with either their state’s Department of Agriculture or Fish & Wildlife Services. If your problem is severe enough, the company may even work under contract for these agencies!
Safety Tips
- Do not climb on any part of the structure to reach bats. It can cause damage and falls are dangerous for both you and the animal.
- Bats, with their echolocation system, may be able to find ways out of your chimney that humans cannot see or access themselves. If possible wait until they leave at night before attempting a cleanout operation yourself. When this is impossible…
- Never use water or any other liquid to force bats out of your chimney. This will only make the problem worse by driving them further into your home and attic, where they can become more agitated and aggressive. Using a high pressure hose is also dangerous because you could damage their delicate wings which would cause them significant injury or death…
- If possible, wait until all bats have left before cleaning up bat guano in an area that has been occupied by hibernating bats. If this isn’t feasible then plan on sealing off access to these areas temporarily while work proceeds around it so that there are no opportunities for reentry…
- Bats may be very tiny creatures but if handled incorrectly, associated with their presence is a plethora of problems. If you have bats in your chimney, here is all the pertinent information needed to get rid of them safely and quickly…
- Bats are not rodents; they cannot chew through wood or other materials that may be used as part of building structures. Also, if their habitat has been disturbed early enough then it’s possible for them to find new roosting areas with relative ease…
- However sometimes this isn’t always an option and so exclusion must take place at some point during the process. This involves installing one way doors over entry points so that bats can exit but not reenter without causing damage themselves…
FAQs
How do I know if bats are in my chimney?
A good indicator is hearing high-pitched squeaking and scratching noises coming from your fireplace. Other signs include white stains, the smell of ammonia or poop on the floor below the fireplace.
How do I get the bats out of my chimney?
The best way is by using a one-way door, which allows them to leave but not return. You can also use an insecticide or other animal repellents.
How do I prevent bats from getting into my chimney in the future?
Bats can be persistent, so while they might leave on their own for a few days, it's best to avoid them coming back. The easiest way is by installing a one-way door or building a permanent bat house outside your home!
How do I remove the bat feces from my chimney?
The best way to clean up after bats is by using mild soap and water. If you want, use a biological enzyme cleaner or disinfectant on surfaces they may have defecated on. Make sure to wear gloves when doing so!
Will the bats come back if I open my fireplace?
No one can be 100% sure that the bats won't return, but it's highly unlikely since their door will still be there! It's important too though because by opening your fireplace, you're letting out all of the warm air which could result in higher heating bills for you. Open at your own risk! 🙂
How do I prevent bats from getting into my chimney in the future?
The best way to keep them out is by installing a one-way door or building a permanent bat house outside your home!
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is a great idea to educate yourself on the subject of how to get bats out of chimney. Knowledge can help you prevent any further damage and also save your money in future repairs by knowing what methods work best for your situation specifically. Remember that prevention is extremely important because once they have taken up residence, the process becomes much more difficult and expensive than just preventing them from getting into your home at all!