How much does removing a bird’s nest from the chimney cost? If you’re worried about the cost implication of taking this action, you’ve come to the right place.
This article will give you the standard price of clearing a bird nest from the chimney. In addition, we’ll talk about how to prevent birds from nesting in chimneys and many more.
How Much Does It Cost to Remove Birds Nest from Chimney?
Structures like chimneys are among the places birds want to take up long-term residence.
A bird nest in your chimney quickly becomes a genuine and dangerous problem. In addition to carrying a health risk, they can damage internal brickwork, be very noisy, or cause insect infestation.
You must immediately remove the bird’s nest to keep yourself and the family safe. This will also avoid costly structural damage repairs.
However, removing birds’ nests from chimneys will require some monetary commitment. You’re most likely to spend hundreds of dollars on this project.
Standard Cost of Removing Birds Nest from Chimney
Removing a bird’s nest from a chimney costs little money.
In the U.S., the average removal cost ranges between $350 and $650. However, the price can go as low as $200 and high as $2,000.
Until then, homeowners may spend around $500 on the initial assessment, single bird capture, and nest removal with relocation and cleanup services.
Professionals often remove bird nests from chimneys. After successfully removing them, they install netting and seal gaps to prevent additional infestation.
What You Should Know about Removing a Bird Nest in Chimneys
You must know a few things about removing bird’s nests in chimneys and other places around your home. This knowledge will help you avoid trouble.
There’s no stipulated timeframe to remove a bird’s nest from your chimney.
However, there are rules you must follow before taking this action. Birds typically create a nest to serve as primary abort. So, they carefully weave their nest to securely accommodate their eggs or chicks.
Checking for eggs or chicks is critical before removing a nest from your chimney.
If you spot either of them, it’s best to leave the nest until it’s no longer in use. But if the nest is under construction, you can proceed with the removal.
That being said, there’s a government law regarding bird nest removal. Only homeowners or professionals with permits can relocate or destroy an active migratory bird’s nest.
Before granting such a permit, the applicant must explain why the destruction or removal needs to occur.
In addition to the explanation, you’ll need to prove it is a humane act and answer questions about the nest type and presence of eggs or chicks.
But if the nest is inactive, it can be removed without a permit.
Negative Impact of Bird’s Nest in Chimneys
Birds see a chimney as a safe place to stay and reproduce. They can leave their eggs and chicks searching for food without thinking twice about their safety.
However, bird nests in chimneys can cause more than pleasing to homeowners. As noted above, they can be carriers of many diseases or cause hazards during their stay.
One of the dangers of having a bird nest in a chimney is the risk of blockage.
A bird’s nest can block your chimney, leading to a massive risk of carbon monoxide poisoning when you start a fire.
Remember, a bird’s nest comprises dry materials like grasses and branches, which can cause a dangerous chimney fire.
According to reports, about 20,000 chimney fires begin each year due to blockage or lack of cleaning.
This accounts for millions of dollars in losses and damages. Whenever there’s a chimney fire outbreak, about 70% of the smoke re-enters the home or neighborhood.
Another negative impact of bird nests in chimneys is histoplasmosis. It’s a lung disease caused by inhaling fungal spores from bird droppings mixed with soil.
Lung disease can affect weak immune systems and worsen if not treated promptly.
Preventing Birds from Nesting in Chimney
Considering the cost of removing a bird’s nest from a chimney and the dangers of such housing, it’s critical to learn some preventive tips.
You can adopt several strategies to deter birds from nesting in your chimney.
One of them is to install a high-quality chimney cap. This will go a long way to blocking birds from entering your chimney. Once the birds lack an entry spot, they’ll have no option but to relocate.
Another preventive measure you can employ is to remove any possible food sources around your home.
Remember, birds are scavengers and will go after your uncovered trash cans and other areas in search of food. Also, clean your gutters because standing water can also attract birds.
Inspections and maintenance can also be critical in preventing nesting in chimneys. Whenever you spot the early signs of bird activity, don’t hesitate to address them promptly.
By addressing the early activities of birds, you’ll significantly reduce the removal cost.
Warning Signals
Can you tell if there’s a bird nest in your chimney? Knowing how to identify a bird nest before becoming a problem in your home is critical.
There are several ways to carry out such checks. But the most obvious one is the chirping sound from the fireplace inside your house.
Other signs include debris falling into your fireplace, twigs, leaves, and more. Sometimes, you can see droppings in the hearth of your fireplace.
That’s a clear sign of bird infestation in your fireplace. It won’t take much time, and you’ll begin to notice a nasty odor coming from your fireplace.
Sometimes, the odor may not be that of droppings. When a bird dies, it decomposes and produces an unpleasant smell. Birds aren’t like humans, who will bury the dead.
Removing a bird nest in chimneys is essential to prevent significant damage. However, it requires putting your hands in your pocket to do so.
As you can see above, you’ll spend a few hundred to have a bird’s nest removed from your chimney. But before swinging into action, ensure to assess whether or not the nest is active.