Bird nests
Nests on the smoke shelf, damper or in the flue are cleared as covered in more detail below.
Chimney Sweeping
Chimney Animal Removal Waldorf, MD
A Waldorf chimney sweep can get wildlife out of the flue along with the nest and debris they leave behind. Dial (240) 358-7621 to be connected with a nearby chimney sweep.
Without a cap, a chimney is an open invitation to wildlife. Birds build nests on the smoke shelf or damper, raccoons den on the smoke shelf to raise their young, and squirrels fall in and cannot climb back out. Each one brings nesting material that blocks the flue, droppings that smell and the risk of the animal getting into the house.
Do not try to smoke an animal out by lighting a fire. It can kill young animals that cannot leave, set the nest on fire and fill the house with smoke. Close the damper and glass doors if you have them, and keep children and pets away until the animal is out.
Removal depends on what is in the chimney. Chimney swifts are protected under federal law as migratory birds, so an active nest stays until the birds leave for the season. A raccoon with kits needs patience, and the approach has to fit the wildlife rules in Maryland. Once the chimney is clear, a cap with a mesh screen keeps them from coming back.
Depending on what the sweep finds, chimney animal removal in Waldorf, MD can go hand in hand with chimney cap installation and chimney cleaning.
Dealing with this in Waldorf, MD right now? Call (240) 358-7621 to talk to a local chimney sweep.
Call nowThe process
What happens during chimney animal removal
Getting an animal out cleanly takes the right timing and a few steps.
Identify the animal
Sounds, droppings, timing and a look up the flue tell the technician what is living in the chimney which decides what happens next.
Plan the timing
Protected birds like chimney swifts are left until nesting season ends, while many other animals can be removed right away and you hear what to expect.
Humane removal
The animal is removed using the method suited to it while keeping it out of the house.
Clear the nest
Nests, sticks, droppings and debris are removed from the smoke shelf, damper and flue so smoke can draft freely.
Deodorize
The smoke shelf and firebox are cleaned and treated for odor before the fireplace is used again.
Add a cap
A cap that covers the flue and blocks wildlife is fitted to finish the job.
What is included
What chimney animal removal covers
Raccoon dens
Raccoon dens above the damper are cleared out and the chimney is capped.
Dead animal removal
An animal that died in the chimney is removed and the odor treated so the odor fades.
Bats
Bats in a chimney are handled with exclusion devices that let them leave but not return since rules often protect them.
Small animals
Trapped squirrels and other small animals are removed and the entry point is closed.
Related service
Bird Nest Removal Waldorf, MD
Birds like starlings and chimney swifts are drawn to open flues for nesting. A nest of dry twigs and grass is both a blockage and a fire hazard. In furnace or water heater flues, a nest can cause carbon monoxide to spill indoors, so working CO alarms matter.
Because chimney swifts are protected, their nests cannot be disturbed during nesting season. A Waldorf sweep can tell you when removal is allowed, then clear the nest and cap the chimney. Other birds may be handled on a different schedule depending on the species, so ask the sweep.
Related service
Raccoon Removal Waldorf, MD
An uncapped chimney is a favorite den for raccoons, especially mothers with kits. Noises at dusk and dawn and the sound of young calling are typical. Raccoons can carry disease, and their droppings can hold roundworm eggs, so leave removal to someone equipped for it.
The young are often removed first so the mother can relocate them, and the chimney is checked empty before it is sealed. Trapping and relocation rules differ by state, so the method follows what is allowed in Maryland. Then the area is sanitized and a strong cap is fastened down to keep the next raccoon out.
Local help
Chimney Animal Removal Near Me
Chimneys in Waldorf see the most animal activity in spring and early summer, when birds nest and raccoons raise their young. Homes in Waldorf and nearby towns such as Bensville, La Plata, Brandywine and Accokeek with trees close to the roof make it easy for raccoons and squirrels to reach the top. A cap with a mesh screen is the simplest fix, and trimming branches back from the roof helps too.
Searching for chimney animal removal near me from Waldorf or Bensville, La Plata, Brandywine and Accokeek? Call (240) 358-7621 to talk to a chimney sweep who works in your part of town.
Chimneys in this climate
Winters here are moderate, but cold nights still come regularly and fireplaces see real use from late fall into early spring. Temperatures cross the freezing mark again and again, which is hard on brick and mortar, and soaking rains in spring and fall test every crown and flashing joint. In summer, humidity and nesting animals become the bigger issue. Most chimney cleaning in Waldorf is booked in the fall, before the first cold snap.
Why call
Why fix it now
Safer fires
Small chimney problems caught early usually stay small repairs.
Familiar with local homes
Local sweeps see the same chimney types and weather wear across Waldorf and nearby towns.
Straight answers
Ask your questions before you agree to anything.
Chimney Animal Removal questions
How do I keep animals out of my chimney?
A chimney cap with a mesh screen is the most effective way to keep animals out. It should be fastened well enough that a raccoon cannot pull it off, with mesh small enough to stop birds without clogging with creosote. Cutting back branches that reach the roof makes the chimney harder to reach.
How do I get rid of a dead animal smell in my chimney?
The smell of decay in a chimney nearly always means an animal has died inside. The animal has to be removed, along with any nest and droppings, and the area cleaned and deodorized. Keep the damper shut in the meantime.
Why are animals in the chimney a problem?
Animals in a chimney cause problems beyond the noise. Nests can block the flue and catch fire, droppings can carry disease, and raccoons can carry rabies and roundworm. A blocked flue on a furnace or water heater can also send carbon monoxide into the house, so keep CO alarms working.
Will smoke drive an animal out of the chimney?
Lighting a fire is the wrong move with an animal in the chimney. Babies cannot escape, nesting material can catch fire and a blocked flue can fill the room with smoke. Keep the damper closed and call a sweep instead.
Can chimney swifts be removed from my chimney?
Chimney swifts are protected under federal law, and their nests cannot be removed while they are in use. The sweep can tell you when it is allowed, then clean out the nest and add a cap. Until then, keep the damper closed and do not use the fireplace.
More questions? Call (240) 358-7621
Often needed together
Chimney Cap Installation
Putting a sturdy cap on top of the chimney sized to the flue tile or the whole crown.
Learn moreChimney Cleaning
Cleaning the flue, smoke chamber and firebox of wood-burning fireplaces, stoves and inserts, to cut the risk of a chimney fire.
Learn moreChimney Odor Removal
Removing chimney odors at the source instead of covering them up whether the smell shows up in summer heat or after rain.
Learn moreChimney Damper Repair
Fixing stuck, rusted or warped chimney dampers so smoke goes up and heated air stays in.
Learn more
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