Chimney animal removal in Northdale, handled in the right order

How bats leave before the chimney is sealed

Bats are removed from buildings by exclusion, not by trapping. An exclusion device lets bats leave but not come back, and Florida's rule sets weather conditions for how long the device must be in place before openings are sealed.

That work belongs with a wildlife professional who handles bat exclusions. Once the bats are out and the exclusion period is complete, our team cleans the chimney and fits a cap or screen that keeps them from returning.

Bats that are sealed in instead of excluded may find their way into the living space or die inside the chimney. Doing the exclusion properly the first time avoids both results.

Raccoons denning in a chimney

A raccoon may use the smoke shelf or the flue as a den, and in spring it may have young with it. Removing only the adult, or closing the top while the young are inside, leaves animals trapped in the chimney.

Florida's nuisance wildlife rule restricts where a live-captured animal may be released, which is one reason trapping belongs with someone who works within that rule. Once the raccoons are out, our team cleans the chimney, checks the damper and flue for damage and closes the top.

Raccoons can also tear screens and bend dampers while going in and out, so the chimney is checked for that damage before a new cap goes on.

Cleaning up droppings and nest debris with care

The CDC explains that the fungus behind histoplasmosis spreads in bird and bat droppings, and people are infected by breathing in its spores. Sweeping up dry droppings in a firebox can put that dust in the air.

Leave the cleanup to us. Our team removes nest material, droppings and debris from the firebox, the smoke chamber and the flue with care, bags it and leaves the fireplace clean. The work is priced before we begin.

If droppings have already been disturbed, air out the room and keep people away while you arrange the cleanup. Anyone with health concerns after exposure should speak to a doctor.

Galvanized or stainless steel cap screens

Cap screens have to resist heat and corrosion at least as well as 19-gauge galvanized or 24-gauge stainless steel under Florida's residential code. A cap built to either standard can meet the rule.

The difference shows over time. Galvanized steel relies on its zinc coating, while stainless steel does not depend on a coating in the same way. We explain how each is likely to hold up on your chimney and let you choose.