One local team to inspect chimneys and fireplaces in Liberty City

Removing birds, bats and other animals from chimneys is part of what our family team does for homes in Liberty City, and we do it with the law in mind. We are locally owned. Once the animals are out, we can fit a cap, repair the crown or sweep out the nesting material. That way the chimney is closed to the next visitor.

Some chimney guests are protected. Chimney swifts are migratory birds covered by federal law, and their active nests may not be disturbed while the young are in them. Florida's wildlife agency restricts bat exclusion during the season when young bats cannot yet fly. That is why timing matters, and why we identify the animal before recommending anything.

Tell us what you hear and when. Chirping at dawn and dusk, scratching during the day or a flutter behind the damper each point to a different animal. Keep the damper closed and the fireplace doors or screen shut. Please do not try to drive an animal out with a fire or by pouring something into the flue.

Either can trap it or set the nesting material alight. After the animals leave, the question becomes how they got in. An open flue, a missing or damaged cap, or a gap in a chase cover are the usual entries. A cap with mesh sized to the manufacturer's design keeps animals out while letting the flue draw.

The inspection and the written estimate are both free, and the prices are upfront. Should you approve the exclusion work or a new cap within 72 hours of the free inspection, you save 10% on it. We remove the nesting debris and clean up. What we did is set down in a written record of the work for your files.