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A Chimney Swift got stuck inside a house. |
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If you need bird removal in your hometown, click for the National Directory of
Bird Control Companies that I've carefully compiled in every USA city.
Chimney Swifts or Bats?
Chimney swifts are unique little birds that look like cigars when they are flying. These birds prefer to not only nest and breed in hollow trees, but chimneys, as well. Most of the time, people will know if there are swifts in their chimney due to the noise they emit. Some people may notice swifts flying in and out of their chimney at dusk. Because they fly mostly at dusk for food, many people think that they are bats. While swifts and bats have similar characteristics, they are quite different. Removing them requires different methods, as well.
Many people opt to clean their chimneys out during mid-March, or after the wood burning season has completed. This is also prior to the birds returning from their Southern migration in April. The dampers of the chimney should be inspected and then closed for the rest of nesting season. This will help prevent the chimney swifts from flying into your house.
If you have an older home that does not have a damper, or a damper that is damaged, you are able to wedge a large piece of foam or rubber into your chimney to serve as a damper. If you have swifts below the damper in the fireplace you will need to relocate them further up into your chimney. You are only able to do this with swifts that are completely feathered and have their eyes wide open.
You should not attempt to remove swifts that are damaged, young or have yet to hatch. You will usually need to wait six weeks if you discover eggs, and four weeks if you discover babies. You will also have the option of contacting a professional animal service to safely remove young birds and eggs. You should also contact a professional if you find a swift that is injured.
The most commonly dealt with bird problem in the US is that of pigeons roosting on buildings. Feral pigeons tend to live in urban areas, and they prefer to roost on and in buildings, where they leave nesting material, feathers, parasites, and
worst of all, their unsanitary and corrosive droppings. The only way to
permanently solve such problems is to install bird exclusion materials, such as bird spikes or netting. Bird trapping is also an option, but it's usually a poor and temporary
fix. In addition to pigeons, other birds can cause problems in certain other situations: woodpeckers damaging houses, sparrows stuck inside retail spaces, Chimney Swifts nesting inside chimneys, etc.
If you want to learn more, please read my How To Get Rid of Birds page.
AAAnimal Control is a privately owned wildlife removal and pest control business, located in Orlando Florida. I deal strictly with wild animals including bird, especially pigeons roosting on buildings or in attics, as well as geese, woodpeckers, starlings, etc. I am not an extermination company, but a critter removal
and control specialist. The above photos are some of the many that I've taken in the field over my years of work. Please email me if
you have any questions about the above photographs, or any questions about
wildlife problems or bird removal issues.
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