Your chimney is a great place to let smoke out, and it’s a great place to let Santa Claus in. Unfortunately, some of nature’s creatures like to follow the big fellow’s lead and make their way down your chimney.

What’s in My Chimney?

To some animals, a chimney is indistinguishable from a hollowed-out tree. They climb into it, only to find that they can’t get out. Birds and squirrels are more likely to get stuck in the chimney (you’ll hear a lot of frantic scratching and flapping) whereas raccoons are big enough to shimmy out. However, that just means they’re more likely to come back and use it as a place to raise their cubs (you may hear the young crying out to their mothers occasionally).

Having a wild animal in the chimney can be anything from a nuisance to a health hazard. Animals can carry diseases, and the fireplace is a route into your home. Even if they can’t get into your home, you will have to deal with the noises they make and the odors they produce. Assuming the animal isn’t stuck, it will eventually go away on its own after a few weeks.

How Do I Stop Animals From Getting In?

If your chimney is open, install a chimney cap. Smoke can still get out, but animals can no longer get in. A good chimney cap can also protect the inside of your chimney from the wear and tear of bad weather.

In addition, keep the smoke damper closed when the fireplace is not in use. If the chimney is open, the damper can at least prevent an animal from entering your home.

Something’s In My Chimney. How Do I Get It Out?

Never try to smoke an animal out of your chimney. Not only is it inhumane as it can burn or kill the animal, but it also requires you to open up the damper, which can give a panicked animal access to the fireplace and subsequently your house.

If you have a squirrel stuck above the damper, then lowering a thick enough rope (at least ¾”) that’s long enough to reach the damper will give it the means it needs to climb out on its own. If it’s fallen into your fireplace, it can be coaxed out with a live trap baited with peanut butter.

If you hear flapping in your chimney, you’re probably dealing with a stuck bird. Make sure the fireplace is closed, and then open the damper to allow it to fall into the fireplace. Once you open the fireplace doors, cover the bird with a cloth. You may also want to have some friends or family members standing behind you with a bed sheet as a safety net to catch the bird in case it flies away too quickly. Once it’s captured, take the bird outside and release it.

Raccoons are trickier because they’re likely there voluntarily, raising their young. They don’t need help getting out; they just need a reason to leave. Loud noises (such as blaring music) and strong odors (such as ammonia) can provide that reason. For best results, set these out right before dusk so the raccoons can use the cover of night to get out. It may take a few days for them to leave, however.

Call An Expert

Removing an animal can be risky. You may accidentally let the animal into your home or expose yourself to a disease it carries. The safest way to get an animal out of your chimney is to leave it to the professionals.

If you have any questions or animal removal needs, our experts in wildlife control can help. Give Critter Control a call at 1-800-CRITTER or 919-382-0651.  We service throughout the Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Apex and Triangle areas.