Chimney animal removal and cleanup in New Malibu

Florida's nuisance wildlife rule

Florida's rule on taking nuisance wildlife, Florida Administrative Code 68A-9.010, lets property owners and the people they authorize remove nuisance animals by permitted methods, and it restricts what can be done with an animal once captured. It also carries the specific timing and device conditions for bats. We keep our chimney work inside those limits and rely on specialists for handling the rule reserves for them. If a specialist tells you a method is allowed, ask how it fits the rule, since practices that were once common are not always lawful now.

Another appliance venting through the chimney

Some chimneys carry more than one flue, and one of them may serve another appliance in the house. A nest in that flue matters as much as one above the fireplace. Mention every appliance that vents through the chimney when you call. We check each flue for nests and debris, and a blocked appliance flue goes to the top of the list for cleanup. Keep that appliance off if we advise it until its flue has been cleared.

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

Stinging insects at the chimney top

Wasps and bees sometimes nest in a cap, a crown crack or a chase top. Those need a pest control professional before anyone works on the chimney, since disturbing a nest at roof height is dangerous. Once the insects are gone, we inspect the top, repair the crack or opening they used and check the cap screen for damage. A crack large enough for wasps can also let water into the chimney, so it is worth closing. Our crew does not remove active stinging insect nests, since that needs the right protective equipment.