Chimney Bird Guard

Some birds, including chimney swifts, naturally roost and nest in vertical spaces like hollow trees, and a chimney is a close substitute. Squirrels and raccoons climb onto roofs and use chimneys as dens, especially in colder months and when raising young. Once inside, animals can fall onto the smoke shelf or damper and become trapped.

Chimney swifts are protected under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act, so active nests generally can’t be disturbed. If swifts are nesting, the usual approach is to wait until they have left for the season, then clean the chimney and install a guard so they don’t return.

• Chirping, scratching, fluttering, or scampering sounds from the fireplace
• Twigs, leaves, feathers, or nesting material falling into the firebox
• Droppings on the smoke shelf or hearth
• A strong, unpleasant odor from the fireplace
• Smoke backing into the room because the flue is blocked
• No cap or screen on top of the chimney
• Bent or torn mesh on an existing cap

1. Inspect. We check the top of the chimney and the flue for animals or nests and see whether the chimney already has a cap.

2. Make sure the chimney is clear. We don’t want to trap an animal inside. If animals are present, we handle removal first, or wait if protected birds are actively nesting.

3. Clean. Nests and debris are flammable and can block the flue. We remove them and sweep the chimney so it’s safe to use. See our chimney cleaning services.

4. Install the guard. We measure each flue and install a stainless steel or copper cap with a mesh bird guard sized for your chimney. On chimneys with several flues, one cap can cover the whole top. On factory-built chimneys, we use the cap listed for that chimney system.

5. Check the damper. Animals sometimes damage the damper. We make sure it opens, closes, and seals properly.

Nests made of twigs, leaves, and grass are flammable and can block the flue, which can push smoke back into your home. Animals that get trapped and die inside a chimney cause strong odors and attract insects. Droppings and nesting debris can also carry bacteria and parasites. A bird guard prevents all of this, and it helps keep rain and leaves out of the chimney too.