Complete Guide to Safe Animal Removal From Your Chimney

Finding out that an animal has entered your chimney can be somewhat disturbing. Not only may it be harmful to the animal’s wellbeing, chimney and your house, but it can also produce odd sounds and smells. But you may effectively and safely remove the animal from your chimney if you know what to do and follow the correct steps.

We’ll walk you through the process of removing an animal from your chimney in this post, along with advice on how to prevent it from happening again. Let’s get going so that your house and you can have a safe, animal-free chimney.

What should you do if you find a dead animal in your chimney?

If you have a dead animal in your chimney, you should take immediate action because the odour it leaves behind may seep into walls and stay for months. Furthermore, infections that might affect your family and even your pets could be conveyed by the decomposing remains. Thus, it’s critical to find the body, remove it as soon as possible, and dispose of it in compliance with local laws.

You might be able to handle the circumstances on your own, depending on where the deceased animal is. You could be able to reach in and pull it out if it’s behind the flue door or on the small shelf that usually sits behind it. After that, you might use disinfectant or pesticide to treat the area. If that method doesn’t work, you can call chimney experts.

Which steps should you follow for animal removal?

Let’s explore them as under:

Identify the animal

Identifying the animal that has become trapped in your chimney is crucial to creating a plan for its safe and efficient escape. Start by keeping your ears out for warning noises, such as scratching or buzzing, that may indicate the kind of creature. Also, looking at the outside of your chimney may help you detect hints like materials for nesting or waste. If it’s a bird, squirrel, raccoon, or other animal, knowing the species and where it is within the chimney helps you determine the best eviction technique. To ensure a humane removal process and a well-informed evaluation of the issue, consult professionals if in doubt.

Create an exit

To enable the animal for a secure evacuation of the chimney, an escape path must be created for it. To give the animal a clear way out of the chimney and into the open air, start by opening the damper or flue. By doing this, the animal is provided with the chance to leave on its own, which helps with reducing stress and possible injury during the removal procedure. To help the animal exit, make sure that any obstacles or barriers inside the chimney have been cleared out or pushed aside.

Use some lights and noise

Use a powerful light to illuminate the chimney so the animal can make its way out more easily. This makes it simpler for the animal to see where it needs to escape. Then, make a lot of noise by hitting or clapping close by. The animal could get frightened by this loudness and decide to check out a quieter area outside the chimney. The animal is encouraged to leave the chimney on its own as the light and noise together make it look less appealing.

Wait patiently

It’s crucial to exercise patience and give the animal enough time to come out of the chimney on its own while providing light and noise. Prevent bringing the animal any more stress or confusion by not disturbing it anymore. An organism may assess its environment and effectively navigate out if it listens patiently. Rushing or making more noise could make it harder for the animal to get somewhere and take more time.

Get professional help

Get professional assistance if the animal fails to leave or if you’re not sure how to handle the problem. Chimney experts have the expertise and tools necessary for handling the situation safely. They are capable of evaluating the situation, choosing the best route for action, and removing the animal from your chimney in a safe manner. This ensures the animal’s welfare as well as your protection.

Signs That There Is an Animal in Your Chimney

Raccoons, squirrels, bats, birds, mice, skunks, and opossums are just a few of the animals that could get into your chimney. There are a few clear indications to help you determine whether there’s a wild animal in your chimney, such as the ones listed below, if you’re not sure:

Claw, scratch, creak, or chirp sounds that are loud Nesting materials close to the foot of your roof or chimney, like a pile of leaves, twigs, or grass.

Other signs of animals near your chimney or on the top of your roof

Animal droppings on your roof or near the base of your fireplace

Anything like chewed wood, damaged shingles, or ripped insulation might suggest damage to your roof or chimney.

An animal inside your chimney? Select Chimney Sweeps

Chimney Sweeps can help, whether you need repairs or an animal removal from the chimney. With meticulous repairs including chimney realignment, firebox repairs, smoke shelf repairs, damper substitutes, and more, we can restore your chimney to its former glory. Our primary objective is keeping you safe and comfortable, and we’ll do all in our power to do that.

Do you want to know that your fireplace is free of animals and ready for use? Give us a call, and we’ll assist you with scheduling an examination.