Raccoon dens
Raccoon dens above the damper are cleared out along with the droppings they leave.
Chimney Sweeping
Chimney Animal Removal Burlington, NJ
A Burlington chimney sweep can get wildlife out of the flue and install a cap so they cannot get back in. One call to (609) 699-0240 reaches a chimney sweep near you.
To birds, raccoons and squirrels, an uncapped chimney is a dry, sheltered den. Birds build nests on the smoke shelf or damper, raccoons den on the smoke shelf to raise their young, and squirrels fall in and cannot climb back out. They leave nests that can block smoke and catch fire, droppings that smell and parasites that can spread.
Do not try to smoke an animal out by lighting a fire. Babies cannot escape, nesting material can ignite and smoke can back up into the room. Close the damper and glass doors if you have them, and keep children and pets away until the animal is out.
Not every animal can be removed the same way or at any time. Chimney swifts are protected, which means waiting until they migrate before the nest comes out. Rules on trapping and relocating wildlife vary by state, so the method follows what is allowed in New Jersey. Afterward, a chimney cap with screening is what keeps the next one out.
Chimney Animal Removal is often paired with chimney cap installation and chimney cleaning, depending on the cause.
Looking for Burlington chimney animal removal? Call (609) 699-0240 and describe the problem to a chimney sweep who works in Burlington.
Call nowThe process
What happens during chimney animal removal
Getting an animal out cleanly takes the right timing and a few steps.
Start with the clues
Sounds, droppings, timing and a look up the flue tell the technician what is living in the chimney and whether young are involved.
Plan the timing
Protected birds like chimney swifts are left until nesting season ends, while many other animals can be removed right away so the removal stays legal and humane.
Get it out
Depending on the animal, removal may be by hand, with an exclusion door or by giving a mother the chance to relocate her young without harming them.
Clean out the flue
Nests, sticks, droppings and debris are removed from the smoke shelf, damper and flue so smoke can draft freely.
Sanitize
Where animals have nested, the area is cleaned to remove odor and parasites before the fireplace is used again.
Seal the top
A cap that covers the flue and blocks wildlife is fitted and any damage at the top is noted.
What is included
Animals removed from chimneys
Small animals
Trapped squirrels and other small animals are removed since they cannot climb back out.
Bat exclusion
Bats are moved out with one-way exits timed around their breeding season and the top is sealed after they are gone.
Dead animal removal
Dead animals are removed and the area cleaned and deodorized before the fireplace is used again.
Birds
Birds and their nesting material are removed as covered in more detail below.
Related service
Bird Nest Removal Burlington, NJ
A chimney gives birds a protected, dry place to build a nest, which is why it attracts them every spring. Their nests sit on the smoke shelf, the damper or the flue walls, and the dry twigs and grass can block the draft and catch fire with the first fire of the season. If the flue vents a furnace or water heater, a nest can force carbon monoxide into the house.
Because chimney swifts are protected, their nests cannot be disturbed during nesting season. The sweep will advise on when removal can happen, and then the nest is cleared and a cap goes on. Other birds may be handled on a different schedule depending on the species, so ask the sweep.
Related service
Raccoon Removal Burlington, NJ
An uncapped chimney is a favorite den for raccoons, especially mothers with kits. You may hear chattering, crying or thumping above the damper, especially at dusk when the mother comes and goes. Never reach into the chimney or try to grab a raccoon, since they can carry rabies and their droppings can carry roundworm.
A common approach is to remove the kits first and give the mother the chance to move them, then confirm the den is empty before capping. Wildlife rules in New Jersey can limit trapping and relocation, which shapes how the removal is done. Then the area is sanitized and a strong cap is fastened down to keep the next raccoon out.
Local help
Chimney Animal Removal Near Me
Chimneys in Burlington see the most animal activity in spring and early summer, when birds nest and raccoons raise their young. Homes in Burlington and nearby towns such as Florence, Beverly, Roebling and Bordentown with trees close to the roof make it easy for raccoons and squirrels to reach the top. A properly fitted cap prevents most of these problems.
For chimney animal removal in Burlington, NJ or nearby towns like Florence, Beverly, Roebling and Bordentown, call (609) 699-0240 to reach a chimney sweep who covers your street.
What the local climate does to a chimney
Winters here are long and cold, and the heating season usually runs from October well into April. Masonry takes the worst of it from the freeze and thaw cycle: rain and melting snow soak into the crown and joints, then freeze and push them apart, which is how cracks, loose bricks and leaks start. Wind driven rain from coastal storms finds any gap in flashing, too. That is why chimney cleaning in Burlington is usually booked in the fall, before the first cold night.
Why call
Why act early
Smaller repairs
Small chimney problems caught early usually stay small repairs.
Familiar with local homes
Chimney sweeps in Burlington know the chimneys and fireplaces common in local homes.
Know what happens next
Ask the sweep about the cause, the options and the estimate before work starts.
Common questions about chimney animal removal
Can chimney swifts be removed from my chimney?
Because chimney swifts are protected, removal has to wait until the birds leave for the season. A sweep will advise on timing, then remove the nest and install a cap afterwards. In the meantime, keep the damper shut to keep noise and birds out of the house.
Why are animals in the chimney a problem?
Wildlife in a chimney brings several risks. Nests can block the flue and catch fire, droppings can carry disease, and raccoons can carry rabies and roundworm. A blocked flue on a furnace or water heater can also send carbon monoxide into the house, so keep CO alarms working.
Will smoke drive an animal out of the chimney?
Lighting a fire is the wrong move with an animal in the chimney. Young animals cannot climb out and will be hurt, the nest can ignite, and a blocked flue can send smoke and carbon monoxide into the house. Keep the damper closed and call a sweep instead.
What should I do about a dead animal smell in the fireplace?
The smell of decay in a chimney nearly always means an animal has died inside. The animal has to be removed, along with any nest and droppings, and the area cleaned and deodorized. Keep the damper shut in the meantime.
How do I keep animals out of my chimney?
The best prevention is a sturdy chimney cap with screening on all sides. A strong, well-fastened cap holds up to raccoons, and the right mesh keeps out birds and squirrels. Keeping branches off the roof removes an easy path to the top.
More questions? Call (609) 699-0240
Often needed together
Chimney Cap Installation
Installing chimney caps with mesh sides so water, birds and debris stay out of the flue.
Learn moreChimney Cleaning
Brushing and vacuuming the buildup from wood-burning fireplaces, stoves and inserts, with the damper, smoke shelf and cap checked along the way.
Learn moreChimney Odor Removal
Getting rid of the campfire, musty or rotten smell coming from a chimney with sweeping, deodorizing and a fix for the cause.
Learn moreChimney Damper Repair
Repairing dampers that will not open, close or seal including handles, chains and seals.
Learn more
Looking for something else?
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