Q: "I have birds/bats/animals in my chimney. What should I do?"
Chimneys are always popular places for many types of animals; in this area, the most common are squirrels, raccoons and chimney swifts.
Chimney swifts (or chimney swallows) often are misidentified as bats for two reasons: for their unusually shaped wings and flying patterns and the noises their babies make when they nest -- yes, NEST -- in the chimney. They usually come as early as mid spring and can stay as long as early fall, when they head south.
What should you do to get rid of them? Usually the best plan is to let their young grow up and fly away, and then prevent them from returning to your chimney by putting on a stainless steel chimney cap. (For more information, click here.) They may be noisy for a couple of months, but they will fly out eventually. Besides, the birds are protected by laws that prohibit anyone removing them before a certain date each year.
As for other animals, Dobson Chimney does not remove animals from chimneys. We occasionally contract someone to help out in special cases, but your best bet is to contact a trapper.
2004 Dobson
Chimney and Masonry
Webmaster contact: dhoffmann@dobsonchimney.com
