How To Safely Remove A Birds Nest From Your Chimney

Birds will make a home in just about any tight, quiet space they can find. That is why you see so many birds’ nests in store signs and light posts. If your chimney is not properly capped, you may find yourself hosting a bird’s nest on top of your home. This can be a problem if you need to use the fireplace, and the noise alone will surely drive you crazy after a long day at work. Also, birds and other animals can affect the airflow and the structure of your chimney, which can present numerous other problems. Before you start poking around in your fireplace for relief, check out this guide that will help you deal with a birds nest in your chimney. 

Know The Law

According to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, it is illegal to move or remove an active bird’s nest in your home –– even if it is in a bad location or creating a health risk for your family. This law is not widely enforced, but it is something to make note of. If you know there are eggs or baby birds in your nest, you will need to leave it alone until all of the birds have left the nest.

Block Off The Entry

Since you are not allowed to move an active nest from your chimney, you will need to ensure that it is not active. This means blocking off all gaps in the top of your chimney so that the birds cannot get in. It is best to do this early on so they do not lay eggs and make a large nest to remove.

Break Up The Nest

Once you know that the nest is no longer active, you can use metal rods of varying sizes to break the nesting material apart. Wear safety goggles and a mask when doing this because debris and dust will be falling down with every poke. Depending on the size of the nest, it may only take one or two pokes to get the nest to fall down.

Sweep The Chimney

After all of the nesting material is out of the chimney, call in a chimney sweep to clean out everything and get it ready to use again. You may also call a professional chimney cleaner to remove the nest for you if you do not want to do it on your own. As long as you abide by the law and avoid trying to smoke out the birds with fire, you should be able to clear the bird’s nest out of your chimney.

Install a Chimney Cap

Chimney caps are relatively small and cheap products that nevertheless provide great value to homeowners. Chimney caps and covers help prevent fires, improve ventilation, and stop birds (and other animals) from nesting in your chimney. If you’ve recently moved into a home with a chimney –– or you’ve recently had to clear a nest from your chimney –– then call a professional to install a chimney cap right away. 

Contact Us

At Brickworks, we help homeowners protect their homes and ensure their chimneys are in good working order at all times. Chimney safety is serious business, so if you notice any problems with your chimney, then contact a professional ASAP.

Our team has years of experience working with homeowners to find brick and masonry solutions, and we handle all varieties of chimney repair, maintenance, and service. Contact us here at 586-868-3234 to learn more!