Animal in My Chimney
Q: I hear a noise in my chimney, is there an animal that is trapped?
A: If you hear a noise in your chimney it could be one of two things. It may be an animal, like a raccoon, which has moved in to utilize the space as a denning site to have her babies. The other possibility is that it could be a squirrel or a bird that has gotten into the chimney and cannot get back up. A general way to tell the difference is that when an animal is stuck, it will typically be quite frantic to get out, so the noise will be fairly constant and there may be cries or scratching. If the damper is not closed then the animal may get down into the hearth of the fireplace. If a squirrel or bird is in the hearth, it may be able to get back onto the damper/smoke shelf, but it will not be able to get out.
Q: I do not think it is stuck, but rather trying to make a den, and it sounds large like a raccoon. What do I do?
A: This is most common during the birthing season (from late March until June, although there can be an occasional late litter into August). If a raccoon has moved in during the spring, it is almost certainly having babies. It is vital that no action be taken. Trying to chase or scare the animal away will likely result in the mom leaving some or all of the babies behind for you to deal with, and this may mean removing dead and smelly carcasses. There is very limited space in a chimney, this normally forces mom to move on with the babies as they grow. There is little harm they can cause to a chimney, just be sure the damper is securely closed. When you think they have moved out (typically about 8 weeks after you first hear noises), someone who is experienced on a ladder can place a bunched up ball of paper towel in the chimney. If it is not moved after 2 full days and nights and no noise is heard, a spark arrestor screen made from 1" by 1" welded wire mesh should be installed. If the paper is moved, this means there is still something coming and going, wait a week and and try again. It is vital to monitor closely before having the animal proofing done. Raccoons can have young as late as into mid August, so to be safe you should use the previous steps anytime between the first of March until the end of September.
When doing animal proofing under any circumstances, consider hiring a general contractor to do the roof work if you're not comfortable or do not have the proper equipment to safely complete the job!
Q: Can I smoke the animal out?
A: This is a very bad idea, even a small amount of smoke can kill an animal very quickly, and the last thing you want is a dead animal left in an inaccessible spot in your chimney. Also, there is the serious risk of causing a chimney fire.
Q: I think that the animal is stuck, how do I get it out?
A: It is very common for this to happen after severe rain and wind, as this will cause the leaf nests of squirrels and birds to become wet or blow down, leaving them without shelter. The frantic animal will try to get out of the elements, and often will find a one-way trip down a chimney. Once a squirrel has gotten down onto the damper/smoke shelf, it cannot get back up the chimney. There are two options to get it out:
Q: Won’t the squirrel want to run around the house?
A: It is important to remember that the squirrel got into this situation by accident and is very afraid. It wants to get back outside, not have tea and watch a movie. If you give it the opportunity, and keep the area very quiet, all should be fine.
Q: How do I know it has left?
A: The easiest way, if you can’t observe from another room very quietly, is to sprinkle some flour on the floor by the window or door. When the squirrel leaves, it will leave footprints behind. It is good to wait about an hour before checking.
Q: How can I prevent this from happening again?
A: After the squirrel has left, it is a good idea to clean the smoke shelf of any debris. Once cleared, the chimney can be secured with a spark arrestor screen. Although you may have a cap on the chimney, it may not be animal proofed. The material that must be used is 1" by 1" welded wire mesh (16 gauge). Squirrels can easily chew chicken wire or screening so it is important to use welded wire mesh.
A: If you hear a noise in your chimney it could be one of two things. It may be an animal, like a raccoon, which has moved in to utilize the space as a denning site to have her babies. The other possibility is that it could be a squirrel or a bird that has gotten into the chimney and cannot get back up. A general way to tell the difference is that when an animal is stuck, it will typically be quite frantic to get out, so the noise will be fairly constant and there may be cries or scratching. If the damper is not closed then the animal may get down into the hearth of the fireplace. If a squirrel or bird is in the hearth, it may be able to get back onto the damper/smoke shelf, but it will not be able to get out.
Q: I do not think it is stuck, but rather trying to make a den, and it sounds large like a raccoon. What do I do?
A: This is most common during the birthing season (from late March until June, although there can be an occasional late litter into August). If a raccoon has moved in during the spring, it is almost certainly having babies. It is vital that no action be taken. Trying to chase or scare the animal away will likely result in the mom leaving some or all of the babies behind for you to deal with, and this may mean removing dead and smelly carcasses. There is very limited space in a chimney, this normally forces mom to move on with the babies as they grow. There is little harm they can cause to a chimney, just be sure the damper is securely closed. When you think they have moved out (typically about 8 weeks after you first hear noises), someone who is experienced on a ladder can place a bunched up ball of paper towel in the chimney. If it is not moved after 2 full days and nights and no noise is heard, a spark arrestor screen made from 1" by 1" welded wire mesh should be installed. If the paper is moved, this means there is still something coming and going, wait a week and and try again. It is vital to monitor closely before having the animal proofing done. Raccoons can have young as late as into mid August, so to be safe you should use the previous steps anytime between the first of March until the end of September.
When doing animal proofing under any circumstances, consider hiring a general contractor to do the roof work if you're not comfortable or do not have the proper equipment to safely complete the job!
Q: Can I smoke the animal out?
A: This is a very bad idea, even a small amount of smoke can kill an animal very quickly, and the last thing you want is a dead animal left in an inaccessible spot in your chimney. Also, there is the serious risk of causing a chimney fire.
Q: I think that the animal is stuck, how do I get it out?
A: It is very common for this to happen after severe rain and wind, as this will cause the leaf nests of squirrels and birds to become wet or blow down, leaving them without shelter. The frantic animal will try to get out of the elements, and often will find a one-way trip down a chimney. Once a squirrel has gotten down onto the damper/smoke shelf, it cannot get back up the chimney. There are two options to get it out:
- If you or a friend is experienced on a ladder and can safely access the chimney from the roof, a thick rope can be placed down the chimney and left for the squirrel to climb up.
- *Most homeowners are more comfortable with this option* Choose a door or window that is closest to the fireplace, if the window is raised more than a foot from the floor, use some boxes as a step up to it. Darken the room so that the squirrel will be attracted to the light and the smell of fresh air coming from the window or door that is open. Make a path to the door or window using cardboard boxes or the coffee table on its side, anything to funnel the squirrel towards the window. If you want to protect the floor from soot you can use an old sheet. Close off other doors. Once the path is in place and you have the door or window open, gently open the damper to allow the squirrel access to the hearth. Leave the room and make sure there is no noise. If a squirrel is scared by a noise, senses your or a pet's presence or someone tries to chase it, it will either not come out or rush out and hide (i.e. behind the wall unit). The key is patience. It may take half an hour or more for the squirrel to feel safe enough to come down. It is important to do this during daylight, after dark squirrels are not normally active and therefore it will not move. In this case, it is best to leave it closed off in the hearth. You can give it a small dish of water or a piece of apple and try first thing in the morning.
Q: Won’t the squirrel want to run around the house?
A: It is important to remember that the squirrel got into this situation by accident and is very afraid. It wants to get back outside, not have tea and watch a movie. If you give it the opportunity, and keep the area very quiet, all should be fine.
Q: How do I know it has left?
A: The easiest way, if you can’t observe from another room very quietly, is to sprinkle some flour on the floor by the window or door. When the squirrel leaves, it will leave footprints behind. It is good to wait about an hour before checking.
Q: How can I prevent this from happening again?
A: After the squirrel has left, it is a good idea to clean the smoke shelf of any debris. Once cleared, the chimney can be secured with a spark arrestor screen. Although you may have a cap on the chimney, it may not be animal proofed. The material that must be used is 1" by 1" welded wire mesh (16 gauge). Squirrels can easily chew chicken wire or screening so it is important to use welded wire mesh.
STOP - DO NOT TRAP AND RELOCATE THE ANIMAL - Click here to find out why