Animal trapped in your chimney? Heard scratching, chirping, or thumping? Don’t open the damper — call (972) 920-0833 for same-day humane removal. Common DFW visitors: squirrels, raccoons, birds (especially chimney swifts, which are federally protected). Texas Chimney Experts handles this work across the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex following NFPA 211 standards. Free inspection, written quote, no surprise fees.
What’s actually involved
Wildlife enters chimneys for the same reason it enters trees — flue interiors look like vertical tree cavities. Squirrels and raccoons climb in to nest; birds (especially chimney swifts) nest on flue walls; juvenile animals fall in and can’t climb out.
What you’ll hear: scratching/scrabbling (squirrel or raccoon trying to climb), chirping (chimney swifts — fledglings calling), heavy thumping (raccoon or large bird trapped on damper), or silence broken by occasional movement (animal exhausted or injured).
Why not open the damper: a panicked animal will enter the home through the firebox. A raccoon in the living room is much worse than a raccoon in the flue. Birds will fly through the house breaking windows. Don’t open the damper.
Why not light a fire: federally illegal for chimney swifts (Migratory Bird Treaty Act), and inhumane for any animal. Smoke kills the animal, you have a corpse in the flue, and the smell lasts months.
Why this matters in DFW specifically
DFW chimney-animal calls peak in fall (Aug-Oct) as squirrels and raccoons seek nesting sites for winter, and again in spring (March-May) as chimney swifts return from South American migration to breed in flues across North Texas. The DFW cap installation rate is below the US average — many older homes have no cap or a deteriorated cap, leaving the flue wide open to wildlife.
Our process
- Call — describe the situation — (972) 920-0833 — we ask: what sound, where in the chimney (top, middle, on damper), how long, do you have a cap. Triage helps us bring the right gear.
- Same-day dispatch — Live-trap and humane-removal gear, ladder, PPE. Time depends on dispatch load — typically 4-12 hours for non-life-threatening animal calls.
- Identification + removal method — Squirrel: usually one-way exit at top with cap install after. Raccoon: live trap from top. Bird (non-protected): same. Chimney swift: federal law requires we wait for fledging — we’ll explain.
- Cap install to prevent re-entry — After removal, we install or replace cap with proper mesh size (1/2 inch — keeps animals out, lets smoke draft).
- Documentation + cleanup if needed — Photo evidence, removal documentation, optional flue cleaning if nesting material is left behind.
Materials and standards
Wildlife removal follows Texas Parks & Wildlife humane handling guidelines, federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act (chimney swifts and other protected species), and CSIA cap-installation standards (1/2-inch mesh, all-weather steel construction).
Pricing ranges (DFW, 2026)
Real DFW market ranges. Your actual quote depends on access, scope, and what we find on inspection — every job is quoted in writing before work begins.
| Service | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Live animal removal (squirrel/raccoon) | $285 – $725 |
| Bird removal (non-protected) | $185 – $485 |
| Cap install (post-removal) | $285 – $850 |
| Flue cleaning (nesting material) | $199 – $385 |
| Chimney swift consultation (federally protected) | $0 — info call only during nesting season |
Frequently asked questions
Should I open the damper to let it out?
No. The animal will enter your living space. Keep the damper closed and call us.
What about chimney swifts?
Chimney swifts are federally protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. We cannot remove them during nesting season. We can install exclusion devices BEFORE the next nesting season — but during nesting, the law requires letting them complete the cycle (typically 4-6 weeks).
How fast can you respond?
Same-day for active distress (thumping, vocalizing, animal visible). Next-day for confirmed nesting that’s not in distress.
Will the smell go away after removal?
Yes if removed alive. If the animal died in the flue, smell can last weeks — flue cleaning + odor treatment may be needed.
How do I prevent this happening again?
Cap with 1/2-inch mesh. Most DFW animal-entry calls are on chimneys with no cap, broken cap, or rusted-mesh caps that animals chewed through.
Related services
Ready to schedule?
Call (972) 920-0833 for animal stuck in chimney — same-day removal across DFW, or use our contact form for email. Same-week scheduling for most calls.