Chimney animal removal in Lake Whippoorwill

Chimney swifts are protected birds

Chimney swifts nest inside chimneys, gluing small twig nests to the flue wall. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service notes they are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which covers the birds, their eggs and active nests. That means an active swift nest stays put. We confirm what is nesting before anyone disturbs it, and the chimney is cleaned and capped after the birds leave for the season. Once the birds have left, removing the old nest and capping the flue is lawful and keeps the chimney clear.

A cap that seats with no gaps

A cap that is too small for the flue or has worked loose leaves space at its base where a determined animal can squeeze through. Flue-mounted caps must match the outside of the flue tile, and crown-mounted caps must sit flat on the crown. We measure before ordering and fasten the cap so it stays seated, then check the base all the way around once it is on. On a crown that is uneven or cracked, the cap may need a repaired surface before it can sit tight.

What changes the price of the job

Every chimney animal job is priced from what we find, never from a flat rate. The factors are listed below, and each one appears as its own line on the written estimate. A written price for each factor also lets you phase the work, such as cleanup now and a new cap later.

• Roof height and access to the chimney top
• How much nest material and debris has to come out
• The cap or screen the chimney needs
• Whether a wildlife specialist is involved
• Any damper, crown or chase repair found along the way

Exclusion before the opening is sealed

For bats, and as a principle for every animal, the opening is sealed only after the animals inside have had a way out. With bats, exclusion devices do that job outside the maternity season. With other animals, it may mean waiting for departure or having a specialist remove them. Sealing first is how animals end up trapped and dying in a chimney, which is why we never do it. The same principle applies to a chase or an attic opening near the chimney, which is sealed only once it is empty.