Scratching, chirping, or scrambling in your chimney? We remove the animal humanely and cap the flue so it can't happen again — across Dallas.
To a bird, squirrel, or raccoon, an open chimney looks exactly like a hollow tree — a sheltered vertical space to nest or, too often, one they fall into and can't climb out of. If you're hearing scratching, chirping, flapping, or scrambling from the fireplace, there's likely a live animal in your flue. It's stressful for you and for the animal, and it needs handling correctly: removed humanely, then kept from happening again. That's what chimney animal removal is.
The goal is to get the animal out safely — for it and for your home — not to harm it or make a mess in your living room. We assess what's in the flue and where (many fall to the smoke shelf just above the damper), and remove it in the way appropriate to the animal and situation. We handle the entry into your home carefully so a panicked animal doesn't end up loose in the house. This is a job to call a professional for rather than opening the damper and hoping — that's how a scared squirrel ends up in your living room.
Removal without prevention just leaves the door open for the next animal. Nearly every animal-in-the-chimney call ends the same way: the flue was uncapped, or the cap had failed. So once the animal is out, we install or replace a proper chimney cap with animal-blocking mesh, which permanently closes the flue to wildlife while still venting smoke. If a nest was left behind, nest removal clears the blockage and odor. The combination — remove, clear, cap — solves it for good.
Some birds — notably chimney swifts — are migratory species protected by federal law, and their active nests can't simply be removed during nesting season. A knowledgeable company handles these situations correctly and legally, which matters in Dallas where swifts do nest in chimneys. We'll assess what you're dealing with and handle it the right way, then cap the chimney afterward so swifts and other wildlife can't return next season. Getting both the removal and the timing right is part of doing this properly.
Cost depends on the animal, its location in the chimney, and what's needed to prevent a repeat — typically capping, and nest removal if there's a blockage. You'll get a clear quote for the removal and the prevention together. The prevention is the important part: capping the flue is what turns a one-time removal into a permanent solution.
"Very pleased with the professionalism and promptness of service. The chimney sweep was done quickly and efficiently at significantly less cost than the first quote I got from another company. Happy to recommend Lowes Chimney Sweep to anyone in Plano!"
"Outstanding chimney sweep service from start to finish. They were punctual, courteous, and left our chimney spotless with no mess in our home. I won't use anyone else for chimney services in Dallas TX!"
More reviews from homeowners across the metroplex are on our reviews section, or learn more about our team before you book.
Keep the damper closed so the animal can't get into the room, don't light a fire, and call for removal. The scratching is usually an animal that fell in and can't climb back up the smooth flue. Opening the damper to let it out yourself often ends with a panicked animal loose in your house — this is a job for a professional.
Yes. The goal is to get the animal out safely for it and for your home — not to harm it. We assess what's in the flue and where (many land on the smoke shelf above the damper) and remove it appropriately, handling the entry carefully so a scared animal doesn't get loose in the house.
Because the flue is uncapped or the cap has failed — an open flue looks like a hollow tree to birds, squirrels, and raccoons. Nearly every animal call traces to a missing or failed cap. That's why removal should always be paired with installing a proper cap with animal-blocking mesh.
Please don't — it's dangerous and inhumane, and a nest in the flue is a fire hazard on its own. Never burn anything when you suspect an animal is in the chimney. Keep the damper closed and call for humane removal instead.
Some, like chimney swifts, are migratory birds protected by federal law, and their active nests can't simply be removed during nesting season — and swifts do nest in Dallas chimneys. We handle these situations correctly and legally, then cap the chimney afterward so wildlife can't return next season.
Straight answers from our DFW chimney pros before you book.
