Share:

A fireplace is a luxury in any household, especially on cold winter nights. But like any amenity, they require routine maintenance in order to function property. A common issue homeowners deal with is birds that find their way inside chimneys and fireplaces. While you want to remove these critters so they don’t become an issue in your space, you don’t want to harm them in the process. Here’s what you should do if you find birds in your chimney.   

How Should You Handle Birds in Your Chimney & Fireplace? 

If the Birds Are In Your Chimney

If you hear chirping, determine where the birds are by grabbing a flashlight and taking a look inside. If you see birds in your chimney, open the fireplace damper to see if they’ll escape on their own. If they don’t, you need to set a trap. Note that if you hear baby birds, leave the nest alone. The family will leave when the young ones are able to fly.

To set a safe trap, find a large box and a flat cardboard piece to use as a lid. Place the box open side up in the fireplace, limiting space to about an inch between the box opening and the fireplace’s top area. Set up a flashlight so its illumination is cast inside the box, and keep the room silent. Patience is key as you wait for the bird to fly into the box. Once the bird is inside, slowly cover the opening of the box with the cardboard piece so you can take the box outside and release the animal back into nature.

If Birds Are In Your Fireplace

birds in your chimneyIf you see a bird in the fireplace, the first thing to do is close all the doors and seal off the room. For areas with no doors, cover openings with sheets or a tarp to keep the bird contained. Once the area is closed off, open only one window or doorway to the outside in case the bird escapes when you try to trap it. Partially open the fireplace screen so as not to startle the bird, then grab a towel and gently throw it over them. Handle the towel by the ends to keep the bird inside and bring it outside for an easy release. If you happen to lose your grasp on the trap and the bird gets loose, remain calm and dim the lights. With a broom, carefully guide it to the opening you left when you began the process.

To stop birds from getting in your chimney, hire a chimney sweep to conduct an inspection. During the inspection, the professional will check if your fireplace damper is working properly and can install a chimney cap to prevent the problem from occurring again. 
 

 

If you have birds in your chimney, call the professionals The Chimney Sweep in Kernersville, NC, to remove them safely and quickly. From inspections and repairs to regular chimney cleaning, their team of experts will have you curled up by the fire just in time for the cold winter weather. To schedule an inspection, call (336) 993-8999 or visit their website for answers to frequently asked questions.

tracking