There are several species of birds that, in their natural habitat, gravitate toward nesting in the nooks and crannies of cliffs. The most common of these are chimney swifts, swallows, and pigeons. Since these birds now live among us in populated areas, chimneys provide them with the same benefits as cliffs—a nesting place that comes close to mimicking their natural abode in which they can raise their young out of harsh weather and protected from predators.
Unfortunately, birds nesting in your chimney can cause homeowners a variety of issues. Professional bird removal from your chimney is needed. Learn more about the problems associated with birds in chimneys and our effective solutions for bird control.
Signs of Birds in Chimney
Whether you have chimney swifts, swallows, or pigeons in your chimney, there are signs shared by all. Small, gray birds with cigar-shaped torsos and long, curved wings, chimney swifts soar through the air, making loud chattering noises. To figure out if you have birds in your chimney, look for these signs of birds:
Sights
- If chimney swifts are living in your chimney, they will fly out to feed in the early morning and return to your chimney in the evening. It is easy to mistake swifts for bats. Unlike swifts, bats have an opposite schedule. Bats are nocturnal. If you see flights out of your chimney at sunset, it’s most likely to be bats. Another way to know whether you have bats or birds is that birds will fly in and out all day to feed their young.
- Looking into your chimney, you should be able to see one or more nest-like structures clinging to the chimney walls.
- You might see nesting materials such as leaves and twigs that have fallen into your fireplace. This will happen not only with swifts but also when birds of other species reside in your chimney.
Bird Sounds
- During nesting season, which runs from about March or April to October, you will hear chirping and begging calls from baby swifts. Chimney swifts are vocal birds. Chimney swift noises can be heard inside your home from near the chimney. If the bird in your chimney is a pigeon, you’ll hear cooing sounds. Also, with any bird, you may hear wings flapping and scratching sounds.
Smells
- As bird droppings accumulate along chimney walls and in your fireplace, you will notice a foul odor.
Problems Birds in Chimney Causes
While birds are a welcome sign of spring and may seem harmless, when nesting in your chimney, they pose a risk to your health and home.
Fire Hazard
Most bird nests are built with twigs, leaves, and grass, all of which are quite flammable. If you light a fire when birds are nesting, even the tiniest spark can cause a fire. During summer, when these materials become dry, the risk increases. In addition, using your fireplace with a bird nest in the chimney can partially block the release of smoke. This can trap carbon monoxide in your home.
Structural Damage
Over time, bird nests can cause long-term and costly damage to the structure of your chimney. The accumulation of moisture, debris, and droppings can weaken your brickwork. Bird droppings contain high levels of uric acid. This acid is potent enough to damage brick, stone, cement, and many other materials we would normally think of as strong.
This is especially important if you have chimney swifts in your chimney. These migratory birds often return to the same place to nest year after year.
Health Risks
Birds in chimneys pose health risks and spread disease, infections, and parasites.
Bird droppings contain bacteria, parasites, and allergens affecting the lungs. Dried bird droppings grow fungi that cause respiratory diseases such as histoplasmosis and tuberculosis and can also worsen existing respiratory illnesses such as asthma.
The parasites they carry include fleas, mites, lice, and ticks. Once in your home, they are difficult to eradicate and will cause you and your pets discomfort.
Bird Control Solutions From Critter Control
Birds are federally protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. It is unlawful to kill, capture, or harm them in any way. When you need bird removal from your chimney, the professionals at Critter Control are your best solution. We have over 40 years of experience in the humane and lawful removal of any nuisance animal in and around homes.
Deterrents
Chimneys are not the only places in your home where birds cause harm. Birds of many backyard species will nest in gutters, soffits, vents, and attics too. The most effective way to keep them away from your home is with bird deterrents that make your house a less attractive roosting and nesting spot.
Sonic and ultrasonic devices emit sounds that imitate predators such as owls, hawks, and eagles. Some devices sound like gunshots, screeching, clapping, and shouting. Sonic devices emit sounds that humans and birds can hear, while the frequency of ultrasonic sounds can only be heard by the birds.
Sonic devices bring positive results quickly but can become annoying to people. Also, the birds can get used to the sound, making them less effective over time. Ultrasonic devices have multiple frequencies, so the birds don’t get used to the sounds. In addition, humans can’t hear them, so there’s no annoyance.
Visual deterrents can also be useful. These include decoys of bird predators—owls, hawks, and snakes—that scare birds away. Non-animal examples of visual deterrents include shiny objects that sway in the breeze, reflective devices, and bright balloons with large eyes or targets on them.
Exclusions
Bird exclusions are physical barriers that keep birds out or away from certain areas. Exclusions are employed after birds have been eradicated from your chimney to keep them from returning. Exclusion is a more permanent solution.
Chimney caps are protective coverings that fit on top of your chimney. In addition to keeping birds out, they will keep other wildlife, such as raccoons and squirrels, out. Made of metal, they come in different sizes and will keep rain and snow from damaging your chimney’s bricks and dampers, prevent downdrafts, and keep embers from flying out onto your roof.
Placing a chimney cap has to be done in the fall after chimney swifts have left on their migration south. When they return in the spring, they will not be able to enter the chimney to take up residence again.
Repairing and sealing around your chimney ensures chimney swifts cannot find an alternate entrance into your chimney.
Chimney swifts are beneficial birds to have around the yard when nesting outside and away from your home. When you see them soaring back and forth high in the air, they are catching bugs mid-flight, eating as many as 12,000 insects—mosquitos, wasps, and aerial spiders—daily. Chimney swifts are in decline, and many chimney swift supporters build a chimney swift tower in their yards or advocate for them in parks.