Chimney animal removal and cleanup in Southchase

Florida's rules for bats in a chimney

Florida protects bats, and the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission restricts exclusion from April 16 through August 14, the maternity season, while the young still cannot fly. Outside that window, exclusion devices let bats leave but not return before openings are sealed. We explain which part of that calendar your chimney falls in and plan the cap for when the rules allow it. Outside the maternity season, the exclusion is usually done first and the cap follows once the bats are out.

Animals that return every season

When animals come back to the same chimney year after year, the way in is still open. A missing cap, a torn screen, a gap under the cap or an opening at the chase cover each works as an invitation. We find the route, confirm the chimney is empty and close it. Repeat visitors are one reason we inspect the cap screen every time we are on the roof. A new cap on one flue and an old one on the next can leave the second as the easy way in.

What the chimney inspection covers

Our free inspection for an animal problem looks at the chimney from the roof and from inside. The written findings say what we saw, what the rules allow and what we recommend, item by item. The inspection also notes anything we could not see, so you know what the findings cover.

• The cap, screen and crown or chase cover at the top
• Signs of nesting, droppings, fur or feathers
• The damper, smoke shelf and firebox from below
• Every flue in the chimney, including appliance flues

Animal noises at a rental property

Tenants often notice chimney noises first. Ask them to keep the fireplace off and the damper closed, and to note when they hear the sounds. We coordinate access with them, report our findings to you and send the estimate for approval. Once the work is done, the written record tells you what was found and what was installed. If the tenant hears sounds again, the record also tells the next visitor what to check first. Letting tenants know the timing rules up front also helps when some of the work has to wait.