When the temperature starts to drop, you won’t be the only one looking for a cozy place to spend the winter. If you don’t have your chimney cleaned, you’ll be calling an animal control company to remove unwanted houseguests that view your chimney as the perfect place to stay warm. Based out of Sherman, CT, American Bio-Tech proudly provides New Fairfield and Litchfield counties with humane and eco-friendly animal control services.

Their wildlife experts recommend taking preventative action during the fall to keep these kinds of animals out of your chimney:

• Birds: Birds are known for building their nests in inconvenient places, and your chimney flue is one of their favorite spots. Once a migratory bird begins nesting on your chimney, you’re required by law to leave it be until its young are old enough to leave the nest. This poses obvious problems, and it’s in every homeowner’s best interest to keep the birds’ nests in the trees and out of their chimney. When you schedule your fall chimney cleaning, ask your chimney sweep to install a cap to keep the birds at bay.
• Vermin: Mice, rats, squirrels, and raccoons all see your chimney as a protected space to ride out the winter and raise their young. If you hear scratching, rustling, or scurrying coming from your chimney, you likely acquired a few woodland houseguests that will gnaw through your insulation, wood, ductwork, and electrical wiring. Cleaning your chimney on a regular basis will help keep vermin out, but if it’s too late, call your local animal control company.
• Bats: Your chimney is dark, enclosed, and protected from the elements, and to a bat, it makes a suitable roosting area. Because bats are a protected species, it is unlawful to trap them. American Bio-Tech practices legal and ethical bat control tactics, but investing in fall chimney cleaning is an effective way of keeping them out.

Regardless of the animal, American Bio-Tech will help you remove the pest from your property and keep it from coming back. For more advice or to schedule an appointment, call (860) 355-1231. You can also learn more about the animal control services offered by American Bio-Tech by visiting them on Facebook.