Bats in walls and chimneys
Bats in a wall cavity, behind siding or shutters, or in a chimney are harder to deal with than an attic colony, because you cannot see the roost and a mistake can send them into the house. The method is still exclusion: find the gaps, seal around them, fit one-way devices and let the bats leave.
Expect a little more than an attic job of the same size, because finding the exits takes longer and the work is often high on the wall. Small colonies typically cost $400 to $1,500; chimneys usually need a cap or flashing repair as well.
Signs the bats are in a wall or chimney
- Scratching or rustling inside a wall at dusk and before dawn, often near the top.
- Droppings piled on the ground or a sill below one point on the siding.
- Bats coming out from behind shutters, a fascia board or the top of a chimney.
- A smell or stain spreading on an interior wall.
- Fluttering or chirping in the fireplace or flue.
- A bat appearing indoors near a fireplace, around light switches or behind baseboards.
Typical costs
| Job | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Inspection Finding the roost and every gap; often credited against the job | $75 to $400 |
| Exclusion, under 50 bats Wall or chimney colony | $400 to $1,500 |
| Exclusion, 50 to 200 bats Several exits, high work | $2,000 to $8,000 |
| Sealing entry points Siding joints, trim, chimney flashing | $150 to $1,500 |
Ranges drawn from three national home-services cost guides, checked November 2026. US dollars. A guide, not a quote. Chimney caps and masonry repairs are priced separately. See the bat removal cost guide.
What makes wall and chimney jobs different
The gap may be far from the roost
Bats can enter at a roof corner and crawl down a cavity. The dusk watch matters more here than anywhere.
Never block a chimney with bats inside
Close the fireplace damper and seal the firebox opening from inside so bats cannot drop into the room, but do not cap the top until they are out.
Do not light a fire to drive them out
Smoke can kill bats in the flue and push live ones into the house. It is also illegal in many states.
Siding and shutters
Gaps where siding meets trim, behind shutters and under porch ceilings are common roosts and easy to miss.
Interior cracks
Seal gaps around switches, outlets, baseboards and pipes on the walls nearest the roost so a lost bat cannot come indoors.
Dead bats
A smell in a wall after a botched exclusion may mean bats were sealed in. Opening the wall is the only fix, which is why the order of work matters.
Scratching in the walls? Get the exits found before anything is sealed.
Get a quoteHow it is done
Find the exits
A close look at siding, trim and the chimney, then a dusk watch to see where bats come out.
Protect the inside
Interior gaps near the roost are sealed and the fireplace is closed off so no bat drops into a room.
One-way devices
Devices go over the exits; all other gaps are sealed. The bats leave over several nights.
Close up
Exits are sealed, and a chimney gets a proper cap with mesh so bats and birds cannot get in again.
Before you book
How do I get a bat out of my chimney?
Keep the damper and fireplace closed so it cannot get into the room. A specialist fits a one-way device or cone at the top, then caps the chimney once the bats are out.
Can bats live in the walls of a house?
Yes. Gaps behind siding, trim and in wall cavities are common roosts, especially in older homes and those with wood siding.
Will a bat in the wall find its own way out?
Usually, the way it came in. The risk is that it wanders and comes out indoors, which is why interior gaps should be sealed.
What if a bat dies in the wall?
There will be a smell for a few weeks. If several died, the section may need opening and cleaning; a specialist can locate it.
Do bats damage walls?
They do not chew, but urine and droppings stain and soak into wood and drywall over time, and a large roost can be heavy.
Get a quote for bats in walls or a chimney
Start with your ZIP code. Contact details come next, then a few taps about the bats.
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If a bat was in a room where someone was asleep, keep it contained if it is safe to do so and call your local health department today.