Yikes! There’s a Critter in my Chimney!

As cooler weather approaches, you can expect critters to find ways into your home – which is certainly not ideal for any homeowner. It’s not uncommon, especially in older homes, to hear the occasional mouse scurry across the attic floor, or find a critter setting up shop in your basement. Some homeowners have the misfortune of getting an animal stuck in the chimney. If this has occurred in your home, Doctor Flue can help! Here’s what you need to know if you discover a critter in your chimney or need help with animal removal.

Often times, small animals will mistake a chimney for a hollow tree. Once an animal has climbed into a chimney, it is extremely difficult to get out. In Michigan, it’s most common to find squirrels, raccoons, and birds stuck in chimneys. If you can hear an animal trying to escape, call your local animal rescue immediately. The experts will safely remove the animal and return it back to the wilderness. Under no circumstances should you try to build a fire and “smoke” the animal out.

It’s also possible that there is a dead animal stuck in your chimney. It’s an unfortunate situation, but sometimes unavoidable. You may not even realize it until you notice a funky smell or have trouble venting a fire. If you notice a problem, contact Doctor Flue for an inspection. If there is, in fact, a critter, our CSIA certified chimney sweeps will assist with the animal removal process.

Prevent Animals from Entering your Chimney

If your chimney is prone to attracting animals, there are a few ways you can prevent them from getting stuck inside. Here are a few of our recommendations:

• Close your damper – You should always close your chimney damper when your fireplace is not in use, but it can be easy to forget to do. The damper is a barrier between your fireplace and the top of your chimney and when it’s not closed, it’s like having a hole in the roof of your house. The inside of your home will be exposed to all of the outdoor elements, including animals. Get in the habit of always closing your damper to avoid having critters scurry around your home! 
• Install chimney cap – A chimney cap prevents the outdoor elements from getting in while allowing the smoke from the fireplace to vent. Not only will a chimney cap reduce moisture and wind from entering your home through the chimney, but it keeps animals out as well. Doctor Flue recommends that every chimney has a properly installed chimney cap. 
• Get an annual chimney inspection – You never know what could have crawled into your chimney over the summer. Call Doctor Flue today for a chimney inspection, where a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep will do the dirty work for you. If you do happen to have an animal in your chimney or any other issues, the sweep will identify the problem and will make recommendations on the best way to go about the animal removal.

Contact Us

To learn more about how to prevent animals from entering your chimney, contact Doctor Flue today! Give us a call at (800) 438-3583 or send us an email at office@drflue.com. For your convenience, you can also schedule an appointment online.  Servicing Michigan and Ohio, Doctor Flue offers chimney inspections, cleaning, fireplace installations, and more.

Connect with Doctor Flue

Have you ever had a critter stuck in your chimney? Tell us your story in the comments below!

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