Chimney animal removal and screened caps in Mango

Florida's rule on bats in chimneys

Florida's nuisance wildlife rule sets when bats may be excluded from a structure. Exclusion is not allowed during the maternity season in spring and summer, when young bats cannot yet fly and would be sealed inside.

If bats are using the chimney, the timing is fixed by that rule, not by convenience. We explain what applies to your home, and we do not cap or seal a chimney that bats are using until the exclusion has been done within the rule.

The restriction exists to protect young bats, and it applies to homeowners and contractors alike. Planning around it avoids harming the colony and avoids sealing bats inside a chimney.

If a bat gets into the house

A bat that makes it into the living space should not be touched with bare hands. The CDC advises anyone bitten or scratched by a bat to wash the wound with soap and water and get medical help right away.

For a bat found in the home, the CDC recommends contacting animal control or the health department so it can be captured safely for rabies testing. Once that is handled, we can inspect the chimney for the way the bat got in.

Keep people and pets out of that room and close the interior door while you make the call. If anyone may have been bitten or scratched, medical advice comes before anything else.

How long a chimney animal problem takes to solve

The timeline depends on the animal. A trapped squirrel or a bird that fell in can often be dealt with quickly, while nesting chimney swifts stay until they leave for the season and bats can only be excluded outside the maternity season under Florida's rule.

We explain the likely timing at the first visit so there are no surprises. Where the chimney has to wait, keep the fireplace closed, and we schedule the cleanup and cap for the first date the rules allow.

Why homeowners call our team about chimney animals

Our family-owned company handles the chimney side of an animal problem from start to finish, from the free inspection and a plain explanation of the rules that apply to the cleanup and the cap. Where an animal must be trapped or excluded, we arrange wildlife help rather than guessing.

You agree the price before work begins, our workmanship warranty and 100% satisfaction guarantee both apply, and approving the job within 72 hours of the free inspection takes 10% off.