Animal removal and flue clean-out in Goulds
Raccoons, squirrels, birds or bats, the chimney gets the same careful order of work.
- Owned and run locally
- Available for same-day service
- Fully licensed and insured
- Family owned and run
Hints that the flue needs animal removal
- Droppings on the hearth or firebox floor
- Pets fixated on the fireplace
- An animal loose in the fireplace room
- Sounds that stopped suddenly
Jump to
Birds, bats and raccoons in the flue, explained
Keep people and pets away from the fireplace
A cornered wild animal can bite or scratch. Keep children and pets out of the room with the fireplace until the animal question is settled. Do not reach into the opening or the firebox, even with gloves.
Pets are often the first to notice an animal in a chimney. A dog barking at the hearth or a cat watching the damper can stir up the animal inside. Moving your pets to another part of the house makes the situation calmer for everyone.
What Florida's nuisance wildlife rule allows
Florida's rule on taking nuisance wildlife lets a property owner remove certain animals causing a problem, or authorize someone else to do it. It also lists species that may not be taken this way, and methods that are not allowed at all.
We work within that rule and explain it in plain terms for the animal you have. Protected birds, bats and some other species fall outside ordinary removal. Where they do, we tell you what the alternative is. If a question goes beyond what we can answer, the state wildlife agency is the place to ask.
Branches that give animals a route to the top
Trees and shrubs close to the chimney make it easy for climbing animals to reach the top. Branches resting on the roof act as bridges for squirrels and raccoons.
Trimming trees is outside our work, but we point out any branches that seem to give animals access. Keeping them trimmed back helps the cap and screen do their job. We note it on the written record so you can arrange it with whoever looks after your trees. A cap is harder to defeat when animals cannot reach it easily.
What the time of day says about the animal
Different animals keep different hours. Birds tend to be active by day, raccoons often move at night and bats leave the chimney around dusk. Sounds that follow one of these patterns narrow down the possibilities.
Keep a rough note of when you hear activity over a few days. It is one of the most useful things you can give us. It also helps us plan when to look at the top to see the animal for ourselves. Even a few notes on a phone are enough.
Animal removal scope agreed before work
- Multi-flue cap where several flues end
- Listed cap for a factory-built chimney
- Odor source traced after removal
- Top access planned for safety
Questions about animals in the chimney
Is a raccoon in the chimney likely to have young?
It can. A raccoon using a chimney as a den may be a female with young that cannot climb out. The plan has to account for them, so nothing is left behind when the top is closed.
Do you clean the chimney after the animal is gone?
Yes. Nest material, droppings and debris are removed from the smoke shelf, damper and flue, bagged at the fireplace and hauled away. The flue is brushed and then looked at for damage.
Will you handle the animal or refer me to someone?
It depends on the animal, the stage it is at and the rules that apply. Some cases may need a wildlife professional as well as our team. We tell you which steps are ours and which are not.
More Ways to Care for Your Fireplace
- Prefab and Zero-Clearance Fireplace RepairIdentify and repair manufactured fireplace components using the appropriate model information.
- Chimney Masonry RepairRepair affected chimney brickwork and joints with materials selected for the construction already in place.
- Top-Sealing Damper InstallationFit a top-mounted damper only after checking the fireplace, product restrictions and control route.
- Fireplace RestorationCoordinate fireplace repairs while preserving suitable existing features and defining the intended use.
- Ventless Gas Fireplace ServiceService the identified vent-free appliance without bypassing its required safety components.
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Local service. Careful repairs. A fireplace worth coming home to.
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Our team will contact you to arrange your inspection.
Chimney & Fireplace Brands We Work With
DuraVent 
Olympia Chimney and Venting 
Copperfield Chimney Supply 
Rutland 
Heatilator 
Heat & Glo