How do I get rid of swifts in my chimney?

Swifts nesting in chimneys can be a nuisance for homeowners. Their loud chirping can be bothersome, and their nests can block the chimney, causing smoke to back up into the house. However, getting rid of these agile little birds takes some work and care. Here are the steps you need to take to humanely evict swifts from your chimney.

Why Do Swifts Nest in Chimneys?

Chimneys make an attractive nesting spot for swifts for a few reasons:

• The inside of the chimney provides a protected, enclosed space that keeps predators out.
• The brick or stone absorbs heat from the sun and provides warmth for nests.
• The chimney’s height allows easy access for exiting and entering in flight.

Swifts are most likely to move into and nest in unused chimneys. They can build their bracket-shaped mud nests on the inside chimney walls and lay their eggs there. If the chimney is in use, the smoke can drive them away temporarily, but they may return once the chimney cools down.

When Do Swifts Nest in Chimneys?

Swifts arrive back to their breeding areas in spring and will start scouting chimneys as potential nest sites. Here are the typical months when swifts may occupy a chimney:

• April – May: Early arrivals start checking out chimneys and building initial nests.
• May – July: Peak nesting season. Pairs finish constructing nests, lay eggs, and raise hatchlings.
• August: Fledglings from late nests may still be present through mid-month.
• September – October: Swifts depart for migration and wintering grounds.

So if you hear the telltale sounds of chirping swifts coming from your chimney during spring and summer, chances are you have some new residents! But don’t worry – there are effective ways to convince them to move out politely.

Signs You Have Swifts in Your Chimney

Here are some of the most common signs that swifts have moved into your chimney:

• Loud, shrill chirping noises coming from the chimney. The most obvious clue!
• Nests visible from the fireplace. You may be able to see their basket-shaped mud nests attached to the chimney walls.
• Smoky fireplace. Nests can partially block the chimney and redirect smoke back into the house.
• Swift activity around the house. Catch glimpses of the fast-flying swifts entering and exiting the chimney.
• Guano deposits. The birds leave droppings and debris, which collect at the base of the chimney.

Swifts are most vocal and active around the nests in early morning and evening. Listen and look for these signs so you know it’s time to take action!

Should I Remove the Nests?

It may be tempting to manually remove the nests built by the swifts. However, this is not recommended for a few reasons:

• Swifts are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. It is illegal to remove or destroy active nests.
• Adult swifts may abandon nests that have been tampered with. This could lead to death of eggs or hatchlings.
• Nests are often cemented tightly to chimney walls. Attempting removal may damage the chimney.

For both legal and ethical reasons, it is best not to dismantle nests as long as they are occupied. The safest approach is to let the swifts complete their breeding season before taking steps to exclude them from the chimney.

How to Get Rid of Swifts in Your Chimney

Here are the recommended methods to get swifts to vacate your chimney safely and humanely:

1. Wait for nesting season to end. Let the adult swifts raise their young and fledge from the nest. This usually completes by August.
2. Install a chimney cap. Attach a wire mesh cap to the top of the chimney to block re-entry. This is the most effective exclusion method.
3. Use chimney balloons. Place inflatable balloons in the flue to discourage swifts from nest-building the following season.
4. Try repellent gels. Apply non-toxic chimney bird repellent gels along the walls where swifts attach nests.
5. Seal small entry holes. Use mesh screen or caulk to seal any gaps or cracks the birds enter through.

Combining several passive and active deterrents will convince swifts to find a new nesting site next year. Just make sure to avoid harming active nests containing eggs or young hatchlings at all costs.

Wait Until Nesting Season Is Over

Trying to evict adult swifts while they are actively nesting almost never ends well. Not only are active nests protected legally, but the adult birds are incredibly committed to their nests. They will stubbornly rebuild nests and lay new eggs if their first attempts fail.

To avoid this headache, wait until all the hatchlings have successfully fledged and left the chimney. This usually completes by late July or August at the latest. The adult swifts will also begin to roost elsewhere like tall trees as they prepare to migrate.

With the chimney finally vacant, you can then seal it up and implement exclusionary devices knowing there are no more birds inside.

Install a Chimney Cap

Installing a chimney cap is the single most effective method for keeping swifts and other birds out of a chimney long-term. A cap consists of a wire mesh barrier mounted over the top opening of the chimney using brackets or sealant.

Benefits of chimney caps:

• Blocks all entry points into the chimney.
• Durable metal resists damage or removal by birds.
• Allows proper ventilation to prevent moisture buildup.
• Won’t degrade or rust from chimney exhaust.

A stainless steel cap with 1/2 to 3/4 inch mesh openings is ideal. Make sure the cap extends at least 3 inches down the inside walls of the chimney so birds cannot fly under it. Hire a professional mason for proper custom fitting and installation.

Use Inflatable Chimney Balloons

As another passive but effective deterrent, try placing chimney balloons inside the flue. These are inflatable balloons on long tethers that can be lowered into the chimney from the roof or fireplace.

Benefits of chimney balloons:

• Presence of balloon deters birds from building nests.
• Adjustable string allows balloon to be raised or lowered.
• Usually reusable for several seasons.
• Less expensive than chimney caps.

Position several balloons at intervals along the chimney and inflate them just enough so they block the flue. The bobbing motion and sound of the balloons disturb the birds. Regularly check and reinflate the balloons as needed.

Apply Non-Toxic Chimney Repellent Gels

There are also specialized chimney bird repellent gels on the market. These gels contain mild irritants that bother birds and make them avoid areas where the gel is applied. However, they are non-toxic to the birds.

Benefits of chimney repellent gels:

• Transparent gel is easy to apply on chimney walls.
• Unpleasant tasting gel deters birds from building nests.
• Safe for birds and does not harm chimney.
• Usually long-lasting through entire nesting season.

Apply a thin layer of gel along the inside walls and ledges of the chimney where swifts attach their nests. Reapply new gel periodically as needed between nesting seasons.

Seal Entry Points with Screen or Caulk

Finally, examine the outside of your chimney closely for any small gaps or holes where swifts may be entering. These could be present around the roofline, eave gaps, or where the chimney meets the brick walls.

Sealing these entry points can deter swifts, but only seal openings that are unused:

• Use 1/4 inch galvanized mesh screen secured with caulk to seal gaps and holes.
• Caulk larger gaps around chimney flashing with a waterproof, heat-resistant sealant.
• Do not block ventilation openings required for proper airflow.

This forces the birds to only use the chimney opening where exclusionary methods can then be focused.

When to Get Professional Help

In some cases getting rid of chimney swifts requires calling in a professional chimney or pest control company. This is recommended if:

• The chimney is very tall or difficult to access safely.
• There are large swift colonies with many nests present.
• The birds have habitually returned for multiple seasons.
• DIY exclusion attempts have failed to work.

Reputable chimney service pros have the experience and proper equipment to:

• Conduct chimney inspections to identify entry points.
• Safely install chimney caps on tall, hard-to-reach flues.
• Apply professional-grade repellent gels and exclusion products.
• Properly seal stubborn entry holes and gaps.
• Legally remove old nests, eggs, or hatchlings if needed.

They can provide complete solutions to effectively ban swifts from your chimney for good. Be sure to hire an insured and licensed chimney proAuthorized service technician.

Prevent Swifts from Returning

Implementing effective chimney swift control is only half the battle. You also need to take follow-up steps to ensure the swifts don’t simply return and re-colonize your chimney next season.

Here are some important prevention measures:

• Conduct annual chimney maintenance and cleaning. Keep the chimney in good working order to avoid new hazards.
• Check for any deteriorated screens or seals. Repair them promptly to prevent gaps that allow swift entry.
• Reapply bird repellent gels before nesting season. Refresh the gels in early spring as needed.
• Consider a professional chimney re-cap. This provides a permanent fix to stop all wildlife entry long-term.

With vigilant maintenance and re-application of deterrents, your chimney can remain swift-free for good.

Key Takeaways on Chimney Swift Control

Controlling a chimney swift problem takes patience and the right techniques. Here are some key tips to remember:

• Wait until all hatchlings have fledged before taking exclusion measures.
• Professional chimney caps provide the best long-term prevention.
• Repellent gels create unpleasant surfaces swifts avoid.
• Sealing entry holes forces birds to use only the chimney opening.
• Follow up with annual maintenance to stop re-colonization.

With persistence through an entire nesting season, swifts can be safely convinced to move on and not return to your chimney again as long as you maintain proper exclusion techniques.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are chimney swifts protected birds?

Yes, chimney swifts are migratory birds protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. This makes it illegal to kill the birds, destroy active nests, or disturb eggs and hatchlings.

Do swifts reuse the same nest each year?

No, swifts create new nests out of mud, twigs, and saliva each spring. They do not reuse old nests between seasons.

How many broods do chimney swifts raise per summer?

Chimney swifts typically only raise one brood per breeding season. Each nest will contain 3-5 eggs which all hatch within a few days of each other.

Will birds eventually leave on their own?

No, swifts are extremely committed to their nest sites and will stubbornly remain all season. Without exclusion methods, birds will likely return to the chimney annually.

Do noise deterrents work for chimney swifts?

Noise deterrents like distress calls or banging rarely work to make swifts abandon nests. Physical exclusion is more effective for evicting swifts.

When do chimney swifts migrate south?

Most chimney swifts leave their northern breeding grounds by October and complete migration by November. They winter in forests of Central and South America.

Conclusion

Chimney swifts can be difficult to evict once they settle into a nest site. But with proper timing during non-nesting months, and the strategic use of exclusion devices, the birds can be safely convinced to move on without harm. Maintaining these swift deterrents is key to preventing their return in future seasons. With patience and the right techniques, you can reclaim your chimney from these noisy summer squatters.