Humane Animal & Bird Removal Near Tulsa & Skiatook: When There’s Scratching & Chirping In Your Chimney, We Can Help
Birds, bats, mice, squirrels, raccoons, and even ducks have all been known to make their ways into chimneys. In fact, a bird roosting in a chimney is more common than you may realize. The good news for Tulsa homeowners is that we offer chimney animal removal services near you. Reach out today.
How Do I Keep Animals Out of My Chimney?
Many homeowners bypass annual chimney inspections, believing that if they don’t use their fireplace, there is no need to have the chimney inspected and cleaned. Yet, the concern here is that birds and other animals often get trapped in chimneys, leading to a scare (should the animal make it down the chimney and into your house) or an unpleasant decaying odor (if the animal dies in the chimney).
Needless to say, booking regular chimney inspections is a surefire way to ensure any potential animal entry points are spotted and addressed promptly. Follow these guidelines to keep your chimney critter-free:
- Install a chimney cap. A chimney cap with mesh sides prevents animals like birds, squirrels, and raccoons from entering, while ensuring smoke and other fumes can still safely escape.
- Close the fireplace damper when not in use. A closed damper can help prevent animals from making their way into your home (as well as keep your energy costs in check).
- Trim overhanging tree branches. Reducing access points makes it harder for animals to climb into your chimney.
- Schedule regular chimney inspections. A professional can check for signs of animal activity and recommend solutions, as well as spot potential issues before the critters can enter in the first place.
- Seal any gaps or entry points. Cracks or openings near the chimney should be sealed to prevent small animals from squeezing through.
Stay safer by booking an overview with our experts today. We’d be happy to set you up right.
What Are Chimney Swifts? Can They Be Removed From Chimneys?
Now, most of the time, if you have a critter in your chimney flue, we can help remedy the issue for you. That said, there are some exceptions – for instance, if the animal is endangered or on some type of protected list. In these cases, it’s actually illegal to remove the animal. Cue: the chimney swift.
This bird is most common in eastern U.S. cities, where it nests in chimneys in later summer – but they’ve been known to hang out here in the Tulsa and Skiatook area, as well. The chimney swift is federally protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. That means, you’ll want to think twice before trying to remove it from your chimney.
So, what’s the solution? If chimney swifts are in your chimney, you’ll have to wait for them to leave of their own accord, after which you can have the chimney swept and capped.
How Do Birds & Other Animals Get Into My Chimney?
If you don’t have a chimney cap, it’s most likely that birds and other small animals – like bats and squirrels – are mistaking your chimney for a big, hollow tree, setting up house from there and having their babies in the flue. How do they get in? Just how they’d get in a tree – by climbing, crawling, or flying in! This is why covering your flue is so important.
These animals drop their fecal matter into your fireplace, which can lead to fungal infections and other diseases. They could also carry mites, ticks, and other parasites that can make their way into your home and cause human and pet health issues.
Having a properly installed chimney cap with mesh screening on its sides goes a long way in preventing animals from entering your chimney. The mesh holes are small enough to keep animals out of your chimney and big enough to allow smoke and its byproducts to escape.
A cap can also improve draft and keep rain and moisture out of your chimney flue, preventing the damaging cracks caused by the freeze/thaw cycle. It’s a minor expense and a simple installation that can save you thousands in repairs and damages down the line.
Can I Remove Animals From My Chimney Myself? Can I Smoke Them Out?
Inexperienced homeowners should not try to remove stuck animals on their own. And smoking the animal out is definitely not an option, as it could harm or kill the animal, which only makes your problem bigger. In addition, animals may react defensively when cornered, potentially causing damage to your chimney, family members, or home. And wild animals can carry diseases that are harmful to humans.
Instead, keep the damper closed (so the critter doesn’t drop into your fireplace) and call a professional, like us that can removing the safely and effectively, After removing the animals, Comfort Class will clean, disinfect, and deodorize the chimney so you can enjoy a cleaner, more pleasant home.
Animals in Your Chimney Near Tulsa or Skiatook? We’ll Take Care of It
Do you think you may have animals or birds in your chimney or fireplace? Our technicians can help. We’ll humanely remove any animals or birds, disinfect and deodorize the chimney, sweep the flue, clean out the smoke chamber, and make sure your chimney is up to code and fire-safe.
Keeping your chimney clean of debris, animals, and birds ensures air flows properly and makes a chimney fire in your home less likely. If you think you may have a chimney tenant, call us today or schedule an inspection online. We’re here to help!
Our chimney sweeping and cleaning services also cover glazed creosote removal – if you have stuck-on buildup, turn to us.