Hearing Scratching or Chirping in Your Chimney?
If you’re hearing strange sounds—like scratching, chirping, or rustling—inside your chimney, you may have unwanted guests. Birds, squirrels, raccoons, or even bats often seek shelter in flues. At Chimney Monkey, we focus on chimney animal removal with safe and humane methods that follow all Illinois state and federal wildlife laws. Moreover, our process ensures protection for both your home and the animals.
Common Chimney Invaders:
✔ Squirrels
✔ Raccoons
✔ Bats
✔ Birds — especially chimney swifts
Important Note on Chimney Swifts – Protected by Law
Chimney swifts are federally protected migratory birds that often nest inside chimneys between May and August. Under Illinois law, it is illegal to remove live birds or disturb active nests that contain eggs or chicks. Therefore, timing is very important.
At Chimney Monkey, we do not remove live birds or active nests. However, once the young have left—usually by late September—inactive nests can be cleared legally. In addition, this is the perfect time to schedule a chimney sweep and install a chimney cap to prevent future nesting. As a result, your chimney stays safe year after year.
We follow all regulations closely and make sure every step is done legally, safely, and respectfully.
What If It’s Not a Bird?
If another animal—such as a raccoon, squirrel, or bat—has entered your chimney, here’s how we help:
Our Animal Intrusion Process:
- Inspection: We complete a detailed chimney inspection to identify the animal type, entry point, and level of activity.
- Next Steps:
- ✔ If the animal is no longer present, we remove the nest or debris and sanitize the chimney.
- ✔ If the animal is still inside, we may refer you to a licensed wildlife control expert for safe, legal removal.
- Cleanup: After removal, or when the chimney is clear, we clean the smoke shelf and flue to remove all nesting material and droppings. Consequently, your chimney returns to safe condition.
- Prevention: We install a properly fitted chimney cap to block re-entry and keep your home secure for the future.
Why Prevention Matters:
✔ Prevents blockages that can cause smoke or carbon monoxide buildup
✔ Reduces fire hazards caused by nesting debris
✔ Stops recurring infestations, odors, and noise
✔ Protects your home and respects local wildlife
If you think animals have entered your chimney, don’t wait—contact Chimney Monkey. We’ll inspect the situation, follow the law, and make sure your chimney is clean, safe, and protected moving forward.
Proudly Serving Chicago’s North Shore
With years of experience and thousands of satisfied customers, our team continues to deliver exceptional chimney care across the North Shore. We’re dedicated to protecting your home year-round while expanding our reach to new towns every season. Our growing team ensures prompt, reliable service—wherever you are.
Core Service Areas
Specifically, we proudly serve Evanston, Wilmette, Kenilworth, Winnetka, Glencoe, Highland Park, Highwood, Lake Forest, Lake Bluff, Deerfield, Riverwoods, Bannockburn, Northfield, Northbrook.
Extended Service Areas
We also cover Arlington Heights, Barrington, Buffalo Grove, Des Plaines, Glenview, Hawthorn Woods, & Fort Sheridan.
Therefore, no matter where you live in the North Shore, Chimney Monkey is ready to help. In addition, our team ensures quick response in all listed areas. Likewise, we adapt to local needs for safer results.
📞 Call Chimney Monkey at (847) 994-4388 and let us take care of your chimney needs!
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