The chimney swift is a soot-gray bird of medium size with long, slender wings and a cigar-shaped body. It feeds on insects and builds nests that it adheres to vertical surfaces—usually chimneys, thus its name—with saliva. Abbey Road Chimney Sweeps, the top providers of chimney cleaning and chimney repair services in Clay, OH, explain what to do if a chimney swift or other bird builds a nest in or on your chimney. The professionals at Abbey Road Chimney Sweeps have been cleaning dryer vents and repairing chimneys for Greater Dayton customers since 1982.

Below are the humane steps to take should a chimney swift or other bird take up residence in an inconvenient location around your home:

• Leave The Nest Alone: Swifts are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act because chimney caps, homes without fireplaces, and slick metal liners have seriously curtailed the nesting habitat of these birds. Therefore, if one makes a home in your chimney, please do not disturb the nest until the eggs have hatched and the chicks have left.
• Ignore The Noise: The rustling and cheeping may drive you nuts, but try to ignore it. It will only be a few weeks until the young birds can feed themselves.
• Delay Cleaning: Spring is the usual time for chimney cleaning and repairs, but if a swift is in residence, ask your chimney sweep to come later in the season or even delay cleaning until the fall.
• Remove Empty Nest: Once the nest is empty, remove it so it does not draw new birds or encourage the same birds to return the following year.

If your chimney is clogged with creosote and other debris, you run the risk of fire or carbon monoxide poisoning. Abbey Road Chimney Sweeps, the premier chimney cleaning company in Greater Dayton, has the experience and expertise to keep your chimney and fireplace spotless and operating safely and efficiently. To learn more about their services, visit them online, or call (937) 833-0505 to speak to a friendly representative.