ARC Chimney Sweeps
Animal Removal
Humane removal of birds, squirrels, raccoons, and other wildlife. Followed by exclusion install so they don’t return.
Same-week appointments
Humane animal removal from chimneys is an essential service for protecting both your home and local wildlife. Chimneys are warm, dark, and sheltered spaces, making them an attractive nesting spot for birds, squirrels, raccoons, and other small animals—especially during breeding season. While they may seem harmless at first, animals inside a chimney can quickly create serious safety and health hazards.
When animals enter a chimney, they often become trapped or build nests that block the flue. This obstruction can prevent smoke and carbon monoxide from properly venting out of the home, leading to poor air quality, smoke backup, and in extreme cases, dangerous carbon monoxide exposure. Nesting materials are also highly flammable, increasing the risk of a chimney fire when the fireplace is used.
In addition to blockages, animals can cause significant damage to chimney components. They may dislodge flue liners, damage chimney caps, spread debris throughout the system, and leave behind droppings that create foul odors and potential health risks. Over time, repeated intrusion can worsen structural deterioration if entry points are not secured.
Our humane animal removal process focuses on safely and legally removing animals without harm whenever possible, in accordance with wildlife regulations. Once the animal is removed, we thoroughly clean the affected area, remove nesting materials, and inspect the chimney system for damage or entry points.
Preventing future intrusions is just as important as removal. Installing a properly fitted chimney cap with mesh screening is the most effective long-term solution to keep animals out while still allowing your chimney to vent properly. Regular chimney inspections also help ensure there are no gaps, loose components, or openings that could allow re-entry.
Humane removal and proper prevention protect your home from fire hazards, structural damage, and contamination while ensuring wildlife is handled responsibly and safely.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What animals are commonly found in chimneys in the Southeast?
- Chimney swifts (a federally protected migratory bird) are the most common. Raccoons — particularly females looking for a den to raise young — are the most serious wildlife concern because of size and the hazard of raccoon roundworm in feces. Squirrels, starlings, house sparrows, and occasionally opossums are also common. In coastal areas of Florida and Louisiana, large lizards and snakes have been found in chimneys as well.
- Can I light a fire to drive animals out?
- No. This is extremely dangerous. Nesting material in the smoke chamber is combustible and can cause a chimney fire. Animals may be driven further into the flue or into the living space through the damper rather than out the top. A live animal in distress inside a fireplace is a significant injury risk. Call us instead — same-week appointments are available.
- Are chimney swifts protected? Can you remove them?
- Yes, chimney swifts are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. It is illegal to remove or disturb an active swift nest or the birds themselves. ARC will not disturb a nesting swift colony. The correct approach is to wait out the 30–45 day nesting season — swifts are annual migrants and will leave on their own — and then have a cap installed immediately after they depart to prevent return the following year.
- What happens after you remove the animal?
- We clean and sanitize the affected flue section, removing nesting material and any biological debris. We then install a cap or custom exclusion barrier on the same visit to close the access point. For species where cap installation is not immediately possible (e.g., during active swift nesting), we install a temporary deterrent and schedule the permanent exclusion installation for as soon as the nesting period ends.
Where We Provide Animal Removal
ARC Chimney Sweeps serves customers across five states in the Southeast.
- Georgia
- Florida
- Alabama
- Louisiana
- Mississippi
Not sure if we serve your city? Check the full service area map or call us at (888) 998-2258.
Our Credentials
- CSIA Certified Sweep®
- NFI Hearth Specialist
- Licensed & Insured · All States
- BBB A+ Accredited
Ready to book your animal removal appointment?
Call us at (888) 998-2258 or use the form below to schedule online. We confirm within one business day.