If you hear scratching or chirping in your chimney, do not light a fire. Keep the damper closed, give any trapped animal a way out if you safely can, and call a chimney pro to remove nests and cap the flue. Here is how to handle it calmly and stop it from happening again.
Why animals get in
An open or uncapped flue looks like a hollow tree to birds, squirrels and raccoons — a warm, sheltered spot to nest, especially in spring and summer. Chimney swifts (a protected bird) sometimes nest in flues too. Once inside, animals may get stuck, and their nests block the chimney and become a fire hazard.
What to do right now
- Do not light a fire. A blocked flue pushes smoke and carbon monoxide back into the house, and a fire can trap or harm the animal.
- Close the damper if the animal is up in the flue, so it cannot get into your living room.
- If the animal is on the smoke shelf just above the damper and you can safely open it to a fireplace with a closed glass door, some animals will find their way back up and out on their own.
- Do not use smoke or fire to force it out. It is dangerous and, for protected species, illegal.
When to call a professional
If the animal is stuck, if there is a nest, or if you are not sure what is up there, call a chimney professional (or a wildlife removal service for a live, trapped animal). We remove nests and debris, sweep and inspect the flue for damage, and confirm it is safe to use again.
How to keep it from happening again
The permanent fix is a properly fitted chimney cap with mesh sides. A good stainless cap keeps birds, squirrels and raccoons out, blocks rain, and acts as a spark arrestor — all at once. It is one of the cheapest, highest-value upgrades for any chimney, and it ends the animal problem for good.
Questions about your chimney? Call First City Chimney Sweep at (913) 348-9338 or request a visit. We serve Leavenworth, Lansing, Basehor and Tonganoxie.
Need a nest cleared or a cap installed?
We remove the blockage and cap the flue so it does not happen again. Local, insured, 7am–8pm.