Squirrel in Chimney: An Introduction
First, let me tell you the most important thing not to do from first-hand experience removing trapped squirrels from properties in the Greater Toronto Area.
- Don’t wait more than a day to hire a wildlife removal specialist; the squirrel could die after two days, worsening your squirrel problems. It may have been there longer before you noticed it, too.
- If you call a wildlife control service and they can’t come the same day or early the next day, you should keep calling until you find fast service.
Now that you know that squirrels can’t survive very long when trapped and stressed out, you might want to try and let it out yourself if you feel it’s safe.
- The worst-case scenario is that the squirrel exits the fireplace and runs into open ceiling space in the basement or down into an open floor vent, so if you can’t block all these areas, you should hire a professional quickly.
The sound of crackling fire and its warmth is one of the best things about having a fireplace. However, having squirrels in the chimney can damper this experience. The scratching and thumping noises they make can be quite alarming, and the risk of a fire outbreak from flammable materials they may have gathered in the chimney flue is also a concern. Furthermore, if they have fallen down the chimney, trying to retrieve them yourself might be dangerous and against wildlife laws. Refrain from trying to get rid of them alone and call a professional animal removal service instead. It’s never a great idea to share your home with squirrels, especially if they’re in your chimney. Chimney squirrels pose significant risks, such as potential fire hazards and obstructed airflow, making professional removal essential.
Why Do Squirrels Enter Chimneys?
Have you ever heard rustling or scratching sounds coming from your fireplace? It’s possible that a furry little critter has found its way into your chimney. Sometimes, it happens when a squirrel accidentally falls into a chimney space while exploring the surrounding trees. Some chimneys have bricks jutting out from inside your stack, making it easier for them to come and go. Chimneys provide an incredibly cozy and warm space, which makes them an ideal spot for squirrels to build a nest. A female squirrel can have her babies inside. However, this can quickly become a nuisance when they enter your house through the fireplace. Though a squirrel’s natural instinct is to find a hollow tree to call home, a chimney can easily become a substitute in urban areas. The vertical structure of a chimney resembles a tree trunk, making it an appealing option for these agile creatures to build a squirrel nest. Installing a sturdy steel chimney cap can help prevent these furry invaders from entering your home.
Dangers of Squirrels in Chimneys
Having squirrels in your chimney may seem like a harmless idea, but it can quickly turn into a dangerous situation. Not only can squirrels cause damage to your chimney, but they can also cause a fire hazard. Imagine a squirrel falling into your fireplace, getting stuck in the chimney, and dying. The decaying body can cause a terrible odour and attract other wild animals, such as raccoons and rats, into your home. Sometimes, a long chimney snare pole can be used if a dead squirrel’s carcass is unreachable. It is important to remember that these animals should be treated cautiously if they are still alive. To prevent a potentially hazardous situation, it is recommended to seek professional services to remove any wildlife animals from your chimney. AAA Affordable Wildlife Control can remove dead squirrels and/or install a one-way exit door in the mesh over the top to give the live ones a passage out to find food. Once they depart, the door closes. There is no need to set traps to catch them – the squirrel removal procedure will go much smoother if we let them exit the house independently. A squirrel infestation can lead to significant damage and health risks.
Fire Hazard
Many homeowners love the cozy and warm feeling a fireplace in their home gives them during the winter. However, the thought of a squirrel entering their chimney is not something most people consider. Squirrel droppings can also pose a fire hazard and health risk. The first danger is the possibility of a fire. If the squirrel brings nesting material in, they could accidentally block the chimney and cause smoke to back up into your home or even start a fire. Alternatively, if a squirrel fell into the chimney and was stuck or trapped in your fireplace, they can panic, causing damage to your glass doors and potentially escaping into your entire house. It is also important to note that people tend to underestimate the potential damage a squirrel can cause in their chimney. Don’t let your home become compromised by these critters; take preventative measures to ensure your chimney is safe.
Health Risks: Squirrel Droppings
While a family of squirrels may seem cute and harmless as they run along your roof or scamper across your yard, they can pose serious health risks if they reside in your chimney. Dead squirrels can block your fireplace damper, causing a horrendous odour in your house, and can increase the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. In contrast, live squirrels can cause damage with their sharp claws and introduce parasites that carry diseases. Additionally, little squirrels or babies inside your chimney can be difficult to remove and may attract other unwanted pests. It’s always better to take preventative measures and keep squirrels out of your chimney altogether. Predator urine can be a natural deterrent to keep squirrels away from chimneys.
6 Steps to Take If You Discover a Squirrel in The Chimney
So, what do you do if you find yourself with an uninvited squirrel guest?
A trapped squirrel can cause significant damage and should be dealt with promptly.
Step 1: Stay Calm
Discovering squirrels in your chimney can be an unexpected surprise for any homeowner. While panicking in this situation is understandable, staying calm and collected is crucial. Attempting to remove the animal by force or with insufficient tools may result in the squirrel getting stuck or causing damage to the chimney. It’s important to remember that these critters aren’t necessarily trying to wreak havoc in your home; they might be searching for a warm place to stay. Besides, startling one squirrel might cause it to panic and act in a way that could potentially harm themselves or others. Taking a deep breath, calling a professional, and waiting patiently can save you and the squirrel from a world of trouble. Additionally, seeing a few squirrels around the chimney might indicate a larger problem that requires professional attention.
Step 2: Verify the Presence of a Squirrel
Are you hearing scratching, scampering, or chattering noises inside your chimney? You might have a furry intruder living in your flue. Don’t fall for the scampering sounds of a small family of squirrels that have taken up residence in your home. If bad weather has driven these critters into your warm and cozy chimney, it’s important to take swift action. Blocking the damper with a cap may prevent more squirrels from entering the chimney, but it won’t solve the problem of the squirrel(s) that are already there. Verifying the presence of squirrels with the help of professionals is the best way to prevent any further damage to your home. Squirrels typically seek out warm and secluded places like chimneys.
Step 3: Open the Fireplace Damper
If you’ve noticed some strange noises coming from the top of the chimney, there’s a good chance you might have some unwelcome visitors. Squirrels are known for getting trapped in chimneys, so it’s important to act fast to ensure their safety and prevent damage. Once confirmed that it is squirrels, suit up with a thick glove and carefully open the damper. Give the squirrels a clear escape route by opening a door or removing the grate, and voila – all the squirrels will find their way out the door (of course, you’ll want to seal up any openings in the chimney to prevent any more visits from furry friends). With this simple plan, you can give the squirrels a chance to escape and avoid getting stuck in a wall cavity. Plus, you can enjoy your cozy fire without unwanted guests disrupting the peace.
Step 4: Create an Escape Route for the Trapped Squirrel
There’s another way to create an escape route for a squirrel stuck in your chimney. Using a chimney trap can be an effective way to safely remove the squirrel.
Using a Rope or a Ladder
If you’ve got a squirrel stuck in your chimney, don’t panic! There’s an easy, humane solution to get them out safely without causing any harm to the little critter. If you have one, head to the hardware store and grab a thick rope or maybe even a sturdy ladder. With ingenuity and patience, you can create a “rope trick” and coax the squirrel out of the chimney with minimal stress. They’re great climbers, so they knot the heavy rope at intervals to make it easier for the squirrel to climb up, then lower the knotted rope slowly down the chimney. Voila! Once the squirrel has climbed up, simply remove the rope or ladder, have AAA Affordable Wildlife Control remove the nest material, and mesh over the top of your chimney stack, and once again, you’ll be squirrel-free. Removing squirrels really is that easy.
Securing the Area
If you’re attempting the rope trick, secure the area around the fireplace to prevent the squirrel from running amok inside your home.
Step 5: Wait and Observe
After that, wait and observe. Give the squirrel some time to find its way out. Be patient; it might take a while. A mother squirrel and her young squirrels, or any animal alive inside, must eventually venture out to find food and water.
Step 6: Call for Professional Help if Needed
If the squirrel doesn’t leave alone, it’s time to call in the professionals. Contact AAA Affordable Wildlife Control for a free estimate. They will come to safely and humanely remove the squirrel from your chimney. Professionals can safely and humanely remove squirrels from the chimney, ensuring the process is ethical and effective.
Preventing Future Squirrel Intrusions
Now, to prevent future squirrel intrusions, there are a few steps you can take. Using squirrel repellents can help keep squirrels away from the chimney.
Secure Your Sturdy Steel Chimney Cap
Firstly, ensure that your chimney cap is secure. A damaged or missing cap invites squirrels and other critters to enter your chimney.
Trim Nearby Trees and Bushes
Secondly, trim any nearby trees and bushes. Overhanging branches provide easy access to your roof and chimney.
Case Studies
Case Study: Affordable Wildlife Control Installs Chimney Caps to Deter Squirrels and Prevent Future Infestations
Problem: A homeowner in Bramalea faced an ongoing issue with squirrels entering their home through an open chimney. The potential food sources and shelter within the attic attracted the squirrels. Despite efforts to deter squirrels using loud noises, slick metal barriers, and even cayenne pepper, the problem persisted. The homeowner also noticed that other animals, including birds and rodents, were also being drawn to the area due to the availability of nesting materials and food.
Solution: The homeowner contacted Affordable Wildlife Control for a comprehensive solution. The team inspected the property and recommended the installation of chimney caps to block the squirrels’ entry. They also applied cayenne pepper and cider vinegar around the chimney area to further deter the squirrels. In addition, they educated the homeowner on other methods to keep squirrels and other animals at bay, including reducing food sources and maintaining the property to avoid attracting wildlife. The team emphasized the importance of using professional exterminator services to ensure the problem was handled effectively and humanely.
Outcome: The installation of the chimney caps significantly improved the situation. The homeowner noticed an immediate reduction in squirrel activity, and the capture rate of squirrels attempting to enter the chimney dropped to zero. Affordable Wildlife Control’s combination of deterrents and professional methods ensured that the squirrels and other animals were kept away. The customer was satisfied with the outcome and appreciated the long-term solution that protected their home from wildlife infestations.
Case Study: Affordable Wildlife Control Safely Removes a Squirrel Trapped in an Open Chimney and Prevents Future Incidents
Problem: A family near Fletcher’s Creek South was shocked to find a live squirrel that had fallen down their open chimney and become trapped inside their residence. The squirrel, likely seeking shelter or hiding food, was causing chaos as it tried to escape. The family was worried about the potential for structural damage, contamination from the squirrel, and the possibility of other animals, such as birds or rodents, entering the same route and building nests in their attic.
Solution: Affordable Wildlife Control was called in to address the situation. The team quickly and safely removed the live squirrel from inside the home, ensuring the safety of both the animal and the family. They then installed chimney caps to prevent future incidents. They recommended additional measures, such as using slick metal to make the chimney less accessible to animals and applying cayenne pepper and cider vinegar as natural deterrents. The team also advised identifying and removing food sources or nesting materials that might attract wildlife into the home.
Outcome: The squirrel was safely removed and secured in the home against future wildlife intrusions. The installation of chimney caps and other deterrent methods effectively resolved the issue. The family was relieved and grateful for the prompt and professional service provided by Affordable Wildlife Control. They were educated on preventing future problems by maintaining a secure environment and understanding the importance of professional exterminator services when dealing with wildlife issues. This proactive approach ensured the family could enjoy their home without further concerns about squirrels or other animals entering the chimney.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while a squirrel in the chimney might seem like a big problem, it’s actually a common occurrence in Brampton. Following these simple steps, you can safely and humanely remove the squirrel and prevent future intrusions. Remember, when in doubt, call in the professionals!
FAQs
- What should I do if there are baby squirrels in the chimney?
- Contact a local wildlife rescue organization for guidance if you discover baby squirrels in the chimney.
- Can I use a live trap to catch the squirrel?
- While you can use a live ground trap to catch the squirrel, it is best to leave this method to the professionals to avoid injury to yourself or the animal.
- What if the squirrel has died in the chimney?
- If the squirrel has died in the chimney, contact an experienced squirrel removal company to safely and sanitarily remove the carcass quickly if you don’t want your residence inside filled with a horrendous odour that lingers for days.
- Can I smoke the squirrel out of the chimney?
- No, do not attempt to smoke the squirrel out of the chimney. This is dangerous for both you and the squirrel.
- Is it legal to kill a squirrel that has entered my chimney?
- The legality of killing a squirrel or other animal varies by location. In some places, it is illegal to kill native wildlife. Always check local laws and regulations before taking any action.
