What Pests are Living in Your Chimney

A fireplace is a wonderful way to make your house comfortable and cozy. But your fireplace, and more specifically your chimney, is also a nice warm place for animals to find shelter. All year long, wildlife can climb inside and be protected from weather and predators.

You might first notice wildlife in your chimney when you hear noises coming from your fireplace or you spot an animal disappearing down your chimney. Other times, you may not realize you have animals in your fireplace until you light a fire on the first cold days or notice damage. For this reason, it is best to take proactive steps throughout the year to prevent chimney pests.

Animals that Make a Home in Chimneys

Most chimneys have lots of little nooks and corners that make a great spot to build a nest. When the fire is lit, there is also plenty of ambient heat to keep the animals warm throughout the winter while the surrounding brick provides insulation against the heat in the summer. This makes chimneys a great place for animals like:

  • Birds
  • Bats
  • Raccoons
  • Squirrels
  • Rodents

These animals bring a host of different problems when they move into a fireplace. Many will spread diseases through their droppings, fur, and feathers, and make a mess. Those that move in during the summer may be harmed or killed when you light the fire in the winter, leaving a dead animal that causes odors and is a pain to remove.

Even if there are no health consequences, the noise of some animals can be irritating and having a wild animal come out of your fireplace is never a welcome surprise.

Keeping Wildlife Out of Your Fireplace

The best way to prevent pests from getting into your chimney is to make it physically impossible for them to get inside. Your chimney will never be less attractive to them, so rely on these steps to keep them out:

  • Close the Flue – Many chimneys have a flue built in as protection against pests and weather. After you are done with your fireplace, close the flue to help keep pests out.
  • Block the Hearth – Your hearth is also an entry point if animals come through your house. A fireplace screen can help prevent wildlife in your home from escaping into the chimney.
  • Install a Chimney Cap – A chimney cap offers an additional layer of protection against animals, debris, and inclement weather.
  • Get an Chimney Inspected – As a chimney ages, it can develop cracks that are large enough for animals to squeeze through. A professional can inspect and handle any necessary repairs.

If you already have animals living inside your chimney, a wildlife control company is the safest and most humane way to remove them. At ADAPT Pest Management in Rocklin and Roseville, we locate and carefully remove any wildlife that has nested inside your chimney. We can also perform exclusion on your chimney and other areas of your home to reduce the chances that animals can come back. Call us today for help with wildlife in your fireplace.

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