How To Get Birds Out Of Your Chimney
How To Get Birds Out Of Your Chimney: Your Step-by-Step Guide
There's nothing quite as alarming as hearing frantic flapping, scratching, or chirping coming from inside your chimney. If you've realized you have an unwelcome guest, your immediate thought is likely: How To Get Birds Out Of Your Chimney safely, quickly, and without making a huge mess inside your living room?
Don't panic! Birds trapped in chimneys is a very common issue, especially during migration and nesting seasons. This comprehensive, step-by-step guide will walk you through the entire process, from identifying the bird to ensuring they never return. Let's get that feathered friend flying free again!
Identifying the Intruder and Understanding the Law
Before taking any action, it is vital to know which species you are dealing with. In North America, the most common chimney resident is the Chimney Swift. Unlike many other birds, Chimney Swifts are physically incapable of perching on horizontal surfaces; they prefer to cling vertically to rough chimney walls.
Most native birds in the US and Canada are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA). This means that removing a bird or its nest—especially a Chimney Swift nest—is strictly illegal without a special permit. If you suspect nesting, you must wait until the babies have fledged (usually 4-6 weeks) before removal, unless the bird is clearly trapped and in distress.
If you hear frantic fluttering and scratching, chances are the bird is just trapped and not nesting yet. If the noise is a constant, soft chirping, it probably means babies are present. Dealing with a simple entrapment is much easier than dealing with a nest.
Safety First: Precautions Before You Start
Your first concern must be safety. Never use fire to try and smoke the bird out—this will only harm the animal and potentially cause a chimney fire due to accumulated debris or nesting materials. Furthermore, if the bird is dead or decomposed, it poses a biological hazard.
Follow these crucial safety steps:
- Turn Off All Appliances: Ensure any gas furnace, water heater, or fireplace connected to that flue is completely off.
- Close the Damper: If the bird is high up and you haven't heard it near the firebox, keep the damper closed to prevent it from falling directly into your house.
- Prep Your Area: Lay down drop cloths, old sheets, or plastic sheeting in front of the fireplace opening. Trapped birds often bring soot, debris, and parasites with them.
- Use PPE: Wear gloves, a dust mask (N95 is best, as bird droppings can contain histoplasmosis spores), and safety goggles.
Step-by-Step Guide: How To Get Birds Out Of Your Chimney
The method you use depends entirely on where the bird is located within the flue. If the bird is trapped but still alive, you have two primary options: assisting its exit upwards or safely capturing it indoors.
Method 1: The Gentle Push (When the Bird is Trapped Lower Down)
Birds naturally try to fly toward light. Since the top of the chimney is the only source of light, they usually attempt to fly up. However, if they fall past the flue opening, they can't get traction to climb back up and often get exhausted.
To encourage an upward exit:
- Close all doors and windows in the room and turn off all lights, making the room as dark as possible.
- If you can safely open the damper slightly, do so. This introduces light from the top of the chimney.
- Gently tap or make noise on the outside of the chimney base (near the firebox). This usually startles the bird, prompting it to fly upward, away from the noise and toward the distant light.
- Wait patiently. If the bird is strong enough, it should fly out within a few hours.
What if the Bird Falls into the Fireplace?
This is the tricky scenario. If the bird falls into the firebox, you must act fast to prevent it from escaping into your house.
You need a humane capture tool. A large, thick towel, blanket, or even a sheet laid over a laundry basket works well. Slowly open the glass doors or mesh screen. As soon as the bird flies out, cover it with the towel or basket. Be gentle, as birds are fragile.
Once secured, carry the covered container outside immediately and release the bird in an open area, away from your house.
Method 2: Handling Nests and Babies (Legal Considerations)
If you confirm there is an active nest, patience is absolutely essential. Under the MBTA, it is illegal to disturb or remove the nest until the young have left.
What to Do While Waiting:
- Keep the Damper Closed: This contains the soot, nesting materials, and insects, and prevents the parent birds from entering your home.
- Mark Your Calendar: Note the date you first heard the chirping. Chimney Swifts usually fledge about 30 days after hatching.
- Use an Alternate Flue: If you have another heating source, switch to that. Do NOT light a fire in the infested flue.
Removing the Nest After Fledging
Once the sounds stop and you are certain the nest is empty, hire a certified chimney sweep. Nesting materials, twigs, and droppings accumulate rapidly, creating a severe fire hazard. A professional sweep has the specialized tools to safely remove the debris and check for damage, preparing you for the next, most crucial step.
Preventing Future Feathered Visitors
The only truly effective way to guarantee you never have to worry about how to get birds out of your chimney again is prevention. Birds enter chimneys because they are dark, safe, and often imitate natural tree hollows where they would normally nest.
The Ultimate Solution: Installing a Chimney Cap
A high-quality chimney cap or screen is your defense system. It provides a barrier that prevents birds, squirrels, raccoons, and rain from entering your flue, while still allowing smoke and gases to escape safely.
What to Look For in a Cap:
- Spark Arrestor Mesh: This fine metal mesh (usually 1/2 to 5/8 inch openings) keeps small animals out and prevents stray embers from landing on your roof.
- Proper Material: Stainless steel or copper caps are generally better than galvanized steel, as they resist corrosion and last longer.
- Professional Installation: Installing a cap requires working at height and ensuring the fit is perfect for ventilation. It's best left to a professional chimney technician.
If your chimney is a home to protected Chimney Swifts, you can install a cap outside of nesting season (typically late fall through early spring) to avoid disturbing them while they are actively raising young.
Conclusion
Dealing with a trapped bird can be messy, stressful, and challenging, but remember that the ultimate goal is the safe removal of the bird and the immediate prevention of future intrusions. By identifying the type of bird, adhering to safety protocols, and gently encouraging the bird's upward flight, you can resolve the immediate crisis.
For long-term peace of mind and fire safety, the most crucial step after successful removal is installing a durable chimney cap. This ensures you won't have to ask How To Get Birds Out Of Your Chimney again, keeping your home safe and your chimney clear for its intended purpose.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Can a bird die in my chimney?
- Yes. If a bird is unable to find traction (common in metal or clay flues) and is exhausted, it may succumb to dehydration or injury. This is why immediate, safe removal is crucial.
- Is it safe to leave a bird's nest in the chimney?
- No, once the birds have left, the nest must be removed immediately by a professional. Nests are highly flammable and can quickly lead to a chimney fire, as well as obstructing the flue and creating carbon monoxide hazards.
- What should I do if the bird flies into my house?
- Stay calm. Close the door to that room and open an outside door or window. Turn off the lights in the room to encourage the bird to fly toward the outside light source. Avoid chasing or swatting the bird, as this will injure it and make it panic more.
- How long does it take for baby Chimney Swifts to leave the nest?
- It usually takes about 30 days from the time they hatch (fledging) for Chimney Swifts to be ready to leave the nest. Once they leave, they rarely return to the same chimney that season.
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