PSA: A blocked flue in a Buffalo row house changed how I check for birds

I was cleaning a chimney on Elmwood Avenue last Tuesday and found a full nest blocking the top, which the homeowner said they heard no noise from. I had to call a wildlife removal service before I could even start the sweep, adding two hours to the job. What's your go-to method for checking for animal activity before you set up?

3 comments

3 Comments

kevin_flores2mo ago

It's like how you check the weather before a picnic, you just learn the hard way. My neighbor didn't look for wasps before painting his shed and got a face full of them. Now I tap the eaves with a broom handle from a distance. For a chimney, a bright flashlight and listening for a minute is my bare minimum. Miss one check and your whole plan falls apart.

sam_rivera1mo ago

You ever had a buddy get stung doing the same thing? @kevin_flores is right, my friend Mike didn't tap his eaves before replacing a shutter and found out there was a hornet nest the hard way.

schmidt.amy2mo ago

That "bare minimum" check with a flashlight is smart. I learned the hard way too, like @kevin_flores's neighbor. I had a raccoon family in a chimney on Hertel last spring. Now I do the light and listen check, but I also look for fresh debris on the roof or ground. One time I saw twigs and leaves right on the cap. Saved me from a much worse surprise.