Chimney animal removal for households in Three Lakes
The way in is found and fixed, so the same chimney does not invite the next animal.
- Owned and run locally
- Available for same-day service
- Fully licensed and insured
- Family owned and run
What people notice before animal removal
- A rotten smell that will not fade
- Bats leaving the chimney at dusk
- Smoke backing up after a long idle spell
- Buzzing insects around the chimney top
Jump to
Removing animals and closing the entry
Odor that lingers after an animal is gone
Droppings, urine and nesting material soak into the rough surfaces of a chimney. After removal and clean-out, a faint smell can linger for a while, especially after rain or when air moves down the flue.
A strong or growing smell is different and suggests something was missed, such as remains in a hidden spot. Tell us if the smell does not fade. We come back to look rather than leave you guessing. Airing the room and keeping the damper closed between fires also helps the faint smell fade.
A nest that blocks the draft
A nest or den in the flue can close off much of the passage. When a fire is lit below, smoke has nowhere to go and can spill into the room. A fireplace that suddenly draws badly after sitting unused may have this problem.
Do not test the fireplace to see if the smoke clears. Tell us what happened and when it started. We look for the blockage from above and below, and the clean-out restores the passage once the animal question is settled.
Why the cap comes after the animal leaves
Fitting a cap first can feel like the fastest fix, but it traps anything still inside. Capping while swifts are using the chimney would harm protected birds, which USFWS says the law forbids, and the same logic applies to other animals.
So the order is fixed: resolve the animal, clean the flue, then cap. We explain where you are in that order at each stage. If the cap has to wait, keep the damper closed in the meantime. That keeps the animal out of the room while the order runs its course.
Cap materials and how long they last
Chimney caps come in galvanized steel, stainless steel and copper, among others. Painted or galvanized caps usually cost less at the start, while stainless and copper tend to last longer before rust or wear opens the mesh.
We explain the choices and what each is likely to mean over time. The cheapest cap is poor value if it rusts through and lets animals back in. The estimate shows the material we suggest and why. If you prefer a different material, we price that too.
Steps listed in a chimney animal estimate
- Flue brushed after the animal leaves
- Room protection during the clean-out
- Entry points found and listed
- Timing explained for protected species
Questions about a bird nest in the flue
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.
What does a screened chimney cap do?
It closes the top of the flue to birds, bats, squirrels and raccoons while letting smoke out. It also keeps rain and debris from dropping in. It is sized to the flue and fixed securely.
Why do animals keep coming back to my chimney?
Scent, old nest material and an open top all draw them back. Removing the nest material and fitting a screened cap breaks the pattern. We also look for other entry points around the chimney.
More Ways to Care for Your Fireplace
- Chimney Masonry RepairRepair affected chimney brickwork and joints with materials selected for the construction already in place.
- Stone Chimney RepairRepair affected stone chimney surfaces with the supporting construction and visual match considered together.
- Chimney Cap Installation and ReplacementProtect the chimney opening with a cap chosen for its fit, attachment and compatible system.
- Chimney TuckpointingRenew deteriorated mortar joints around chimney bricks that can appropriately remain.
We received your request
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