DAE have a go-to method for dealing with stubborn bird nests in chimneys?

I came across a huge nest blocking a flue yesterday and my usual pole wasn't reaching it. A fellow sweep told me to try a hooked grabber tool, and it pulled the whole thing out in one piece! It was so much cleaner than breaking it up manually. Now I always carry one in my truck just in case. Has anyone else found good tools for this job?

2 comments

2 Comments

scott.mia1d ago

Honestly, the hooked grabber is a game changer. I had one save me last season when a nest was wedged past a bend my poles just wouldn't navigate. The ability to snag the whole mess and pull it straight out saves so much time and cleanup. Tbh, the only other tip I'd add is to have a heavy-duty bag ready at the fireplace opening to catch it all. Just make sure you check for eggs first before you pull anything down.

the_vera21h ago

So that bit about checking for eggs first is advice you learn the hard way. Skip that step and you get a lovely gift of broken eggs and baby bird gunk all over the place. Imagine explaining that mess to a client with a white carpet. The grabber tool just becomes a delivery system for a disaster. You gotta have your head on straight for this job, not just your tools. One lazy moment turns a simple cleanout into a full biohazard scene.