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Animal in your chimney: what to do right now

An animal in the chimney is usually a raccoon, squirrel or bird, and most can be removed without harm. Your first move is to keep it out of the house: close the damper and the fireplace doors, and do not light a fire.

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Do this now

  1. 1Close the fireplace doors or cover the opening tightly so nothing can enter the room.
  2. 2Close the damper if you can do it safely without reaching into the flue.
  3. 3Keep kids and pets out of the room with the fireplace.
  4. 4Listen to identify the animal. Chirping or chattering often means birds or baby raccoons.
  5. 5Note when you hear it. Daytime scratching suggests squirrels or birds; night activity suggests raccoons.

Don't

  • Don't light a fire or use smoke to drive the animal out.
  • Don't open the damper to look up the flue.
  • Don't reach into the chimney or smoke chamber with your hands.
  • Don't pour chemicals or mothballs down the chimney.

Get help immediately if

  • An animal is loose in the house: close interior doors, open an exterior door, and leave the room.
  • Someone was bitten or scratched: wash with soap and water and call a doctor.
  • You smell smoke or gas, or the fireplace is in use: put the fire out safely and call 911 if needed.

What could be in your chimney

In Michigan, raccoons are the most common large animal in chimneys. Mothers often have kits on the smoke shelf in spring. Squirrels sometimes fall in and cannot climb back out of a metal flue, and birds like starlings may nest near the top. Raccoon droppings can carry roundworm eggs, so any nest debris needs careful cleanup.

Chimney swifts are small birds that nest inside chimneys in summer, and they are protected under federal migratory bird law. In most cases they cannot be disturbed while nesting, and they leave on their own in the fall. If you hear chattering in summer, a pro can help you tell what you are dealing with before anyone acts.

How a pro handles chimney wildlife

A licensed wildlife control pro will usually work from the roof and the fireplace. Trapped squirrels can often be given a rope or board to climb out. A raccoon mother may be encouraged to move her kits, or the young may be removed by hand and placed where she can retrieve them. Each case depends on the animal and the time of year.

Once the chimney is empty, the best prevention is a sturdy, properly fitted chimney cap with screened sides. Many homeowners also have the flue cleaned or inspected before using the fireplace again. Michigan wildlife rules vary by species, and relocation is restricted, so check with the DNR before trapping anything yourself.

What it costs

$200 to $600per removal

Price depends on the animal, whether babies are present, roof access, and whether you add a chimney cap. After-hours or same-day emergency visits often cost more. These are typical ranges, not quotes.

Typical ranges, not quotes. More on wildlife and the Michigan cost guide.

Common questions

Can I light a fire to get the animal out?

No. A fire or smoke can kill animals that cannot climb out, especially babies, and the remains then cause odor and blockage problems. Smoke can also push a panicked animal into the house. Keep the fireplace closed and get professional help.

Will a raccoon in the chimney leave on its own?

Adult raccoons can usually climb out, and many leave at night to feed. A mother with kits will keep coming back until the young are old enough to move. A pro can time removal so the family leaves together, then cap the chimney.

How do I keep animals out of my chimney?

Install a chimney cap with sturdy mesh sides and keep it in good repair. Check it after winter storms. A cap also keeps out rain, leaves and nesting birds, so it is one of the cheapest ways to prevent the next problem.

Other emergencies

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