Do this first
Close the fireplace doors and the damper so nothing can come into the room. Do not light a fire and do not try to smoke the animal out. Young animals cannot climb out, and the mother will not leave them.
- Close the damper and the fireplace doors
- Keep pets out of the room
- Do not light a fire
- Call us
Chattering or crying in spring: raccoons
A mother raccoon often keeps her young on the smoke shelf just above the damper. We take the young out by hand and trap the mother, so none of the family is left behind.
Flapping and chirping: birds
Birds fall in from the top or build a nest near it. We take the bird out from the fireplace side when we can, and check the top of the chimney for a nest.
Quick scratching in the daytime: squirrels
A squirrel that falls into the flue often cannot climb back up the smooth liner. We get it out and check whether it came in from the chimney top or from a gap at the roof.
Keep them out with a cap
A chimney cap with a mesh screen lets smoke out and keeps animals out. We fit caps once the chimney is empty.