Top tips for getting warm and toasty
There is a bird in my chimney!
Owning a home with fireplaces and chimineys can have its challenges. This is especially true when birds or other animals take up residence. There are no manuals on what you should do, and each situation is different. We hope this guide will help you choose the right solution when birds (or other animals) get stuck in your chimney.
Don’t smoke them out!
Your first instinct may be to light a fire and smoke the animal out of your chimney, but this is cruel and could kill the animal, leaving you with a blocked chimney flu and the smell of a decomposing animal. There are a number of alternatives you can try to get the animal out.
Birdie dance party!
Your chimney is warm, dry, and – in the bird’s (or other animal’s) mind – safe, making it the ideal place to build a nest. But your uninvited guest doesn’t know that your chimney is not a hotel! One proven technique is to play loud music into the chimney flue and leave a bright light shining up your chimney for a couple of days. Hopefully, the animal will pack up and leave on its own.
Positive encouragement
It is hard for a bird that has fallen down your flue to turn around and fly out in such a confined space. The bird will become distressed and flustered quickly. If possible, it is best to coax them all the way to the bottom of the chimney into the hearth and then shoo them out through a window or door. If that doesn’t work, put them in a box and either release them back into the wild, or if the animal is injured, take it to your local animal rescue shelter.
Call in the Experts
Your local chimney cleaner or wildlife expert is always a smart option. They are used to dealing with trapped animals, especially during nesting season. These experts have the right equipment to help get birds out of your chimney with the least amount of stress for everyone.
Put a cap on it!
Once you have managed to get the bird or animal out of your chimney, consider putting a cap on your chimney or chimney pot. This should stop birds and animals from getting in. Your local chimney cleaner or roofing contractor will be able to recommend the best type for your home.
If you have any top tips to keep your chimney clear then we would love to hear them! Please share to our Facebook page, tweet us or send us an email.
