There are many ways that wild animals can get into your home, and if this happens, you require professional wildlife control in Oakville to have them removed. One potential entry point that you may not think about, especially if you do not use it, is your chimney. Birds may see the potential for a nesting spot there, and then you have a problem on your hands.

Why Do Birds Nest in Chimneys?

Birds look for nesting sites that provide shelter for their young. A chimney may be just what they are looking for. It is high up and remote; humans rarely venture up there, and the birds’ natural predators may find it inaccessible as well. Eggs and baby birds also have to be kept warm or they won’t survive. A chimney that is frequently used emits warm vapours that help maintain the proper temperature.

How Do You Know If Birds Are Nesting in Your Chimney?

While you probably won’t see the birds nesting in your chimney, you may hear the sounds of flapping wings or of baby birds chirping once the eggs hatch. On the other hand, an absence of sound may also be a clue. If you are accustomed to hearing the sounds of traffic from the street and then all of a sudden you can’t hear them anymore, it may mean that a bird’s nest is blocking your chimney. You may notice twigs and other nesting material accumulating in your fireplace or see the birds flying over the chimney and dropping them down. Another telltale sign is bird droppings collecting in your fireplace.

Sometimes the birds become trapped inside the chimney and die there. If this occurs, you may notice a smell coming from the chimney or an infestation of flies.

Why Is It Dangerous To Have Birds Nesting in the Chimney?

If you use your chimney frequently, a bird’s nest could clog it up. A blocked chimney increases the risk of a house fire. However, even if you do not use your fireplace, it can still be dangerous to have birds nesting in your chimney. Close proximity to birds can expose you to diseases. Birds may bring parasites such as mites or ticks into your home that can spread disease.

Bird excrement that collects in your chimney or fireplace could expose you to a fungal disease called histoplasmosis, which affects the lungs. It can range in severity and may become chronic, especially in people with weakened immune systems. It can also spread to other areas of the body. Treatment for histoplasmosis requires a course of antifungal medication, and treatment can take up to one year.

If a bird falls down your chimney, it can get in your house. This can be very frightening and disorienting for the bird, which may panic and cause damage to you or your home. Another danger is that birds keep returning to their same nesting sites year after year, so a bird that has nested successfully in your chimney one year may keep coming back.

How Do You Remove Birds From Your Chimney?

Some people attempt to cope with birds’ nests in chimneys by lighting a fire and trying to smoke them out. This is unacceptable and dangerous for several reasons. The birds may become trapped in the chimney and unable to escape. As a result, they may die in your chimney. Not only is this unreasonably cruel, but it doesn’t solve the problem of the dead birds in the chimney. Even if the birds escape, the nest is still blocking the chimney, which increases the risk of fire. Instead, contact your local wildlife removal company for assistance. 

How Does Professional Wildlife Control in Oakville Help?

Because many bird species migrate south or are not actively nesting during the winter, this is a good time to cope with the problem. Skedaddle removes any birds, living or dead, clears out the chimney, and screens the opening to prevent them from coming back in spring. Learn more about the services we offer in Oakville.