Bats in Chimneys

Midwest Chimney Safety Council

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GOOD NEWS
As of Jan 1, 2009 75% or higher efficiency wood stoves and inserts qualify for a $300.00-$1500
tax credit to consumers.

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President:
Janie Rickord
Alpine Chimney Services

Vice President:
Marge Padgitt

Secretary/Treasurer:
Sally Scott

Bats in Chimneys

There have been a lot of questions about bats in chimneys lately, and I wanted to find out more about them from an expert. So I interviewed a professional Animal Removal expert on my radio show and here is what Jeff Archer from Critter Control in Kansas City, MO had to say:

1.) Bats nest in May and June, and the only way to stop them from coming into a chimney is to have a chimney cover with a 5/8" screen guard around it installed BEFORE the mother bat has her babies inside the chimney. The babies CAN fit inside that little 5/8" area. We suggest using a professional heavy duty stainless steel chimney cover that you can only get from a chimney sweep - not in stores.

2.) You can build or buy a bat house for your yard and hope they will find it and want to go there instead of your chimney. You can find plans for bat houses at www.batcon.org. Since bats eat thousands of insects, you want them around - just not inside your chimney or home.

3.) Missouri bats range in size from 1/10 ounce to 1 ounce. The largest bat in Missouri, the hoary bat, has a wing span up to 16 inches, but the most common bat to inhabit chimneys is the Little Brown Bat.

Here are links to bat websites for lots more information.

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/rabies/bats_&_rabies/bats&.htm

http://www.batcon.org/

http://lads.com/BasicallyBats/batproof/