June 3, 2025

What Steps Should You Take When You Discover Animals in Your Chimney?

You’re sitting at home, maybe watching TV or having your morning coffee, and suddenly you hear scratching or chirping sounds coming from your fireplace. At first, you think you’re just imagining it—but then the noise happens again. Yep, there’s something alive in there.

It’s not as rare as you might think. Chimneys are quiet, dark, and warm, so animals like to sneak in and make themselves at home. Birds, squirrels, raccoons, even bats sometimes find their way inside. If that happens, it’s important to stay calm and take the right steps. Taking quick and careful action can help protect your home and prevent the animal from being harmed.

If you’re in the Milwaukee area, this is something Milwaukee Chimney Animal Removal deals with all the time. We’ve seen it all—from birds nesting in the flue to raccoons setting up camp like it’s their own apartment.

Step 1: Don’t Light a Fire

This one might seem obvious, but it’s worth saying first. If you hear something moving around in the chimney, do not use your fireplace. Lighting a fire could seriously injure or kill the animal, and it could also block the smoke from escaping, filling your home with smoke or even carbon monoxide. It’s not worth the risk.

Keep the damper closed if it isn’t already. That little flap above your firebox helps keep animals from falling down into your living room.

Step 2: Listen to the Sounds

If you can hear the animal, try to pay attention to what the sound is like. That can give you an idea of what’s in there.

Here’s a quick way to guess:

What You Hear	What It Might Be
Chirping or fluttering	Probably a bird
Quick scratching sounds	Maybe a squirrel
Loud thumps or dragging	Could be a raccoon
High squeaky sounds	Possibly a bat

But honestly, no matter what it is, you probably don’t want to meet it face to face.

Step 3: Don’t Try to Get It Out Yourself

We get it—it’s tempting to open the damper or try to poke the animal with something to scare it out. But this can make things worse. A panicked animal might fall into your home and run around, possibly damaging your things or even hurting someone.

Also, wild animals can carry diseases. If they feel trapped, they could lash out by biting or scratching. It’s really better to leave this to someone who knows what they’re doing.

Step 4: Call a Chimney Professional or Wildlife Expert

Once you know there’s an animal inside, the best thing to do is call someone who can remove it safely. A trained chimney sweep can take care of this without harming the animal or your chimney.

At Milwaukee Chimney Sweep, we’ve removed all sorts of animals safely, and we also check for nests, damage, or anything that could block the chimney in the future. We always make sure it’s safe to use your fireplace again before we leave.

Step 5: Check for Damage After the Animal Is Gone

Animals don’t just hang out in your chimney—they often bring sticks, leaves, or even trash in to build a nest. Some may scratch or chew parts of your chimney trying to get in or out. Once the animal is out, your chimney needs to be checked for:

Nests or leftover junk that could block airflow
Damage to the chimney liner
Cracks or holes in the brick or mortar
Animal droppings (which can carry germs)

A proper chimney cleaning and inspection is a smart move after an animal incident. It helps you feel confident and safe about using your fireplace again.

Step 6: Get a Chimney Cap Installed

Here’s the best way to stop this from happening again: install a chimney cap. It’s a small metal lid placed at the top of your chimney. It keeps animals, rain, leaves, and all kinds of stuff out—while still letting smoke go up and out like it should.

If you already have a cap, it might be damaged or missing. A quick look by a chimney pro can confirm that. Installing a strong, properly fitting cap is one of the smartest things you can do to protect your chimney.

Step 7: Keep Up with Yearly Chimney Inspections

A lot of homeowners forget about their chimneys until something goes wrong. But getting it inspected once a year can catch small issues—like loose caps, early damage, or signs of animals—before they become big problems.

It also keeps your fireplace working safely and efficiently. It’s similar to doing regular maintenance on your car, like changing the oil. A little maintenance goes a long way.

A Thought to Keep in Mind

A chimney is meant for smoke, not surprises. When an animal moves in, it’s a sign that something’s missing—usually a cap or some regular upkeep. The sooner you deal with it, the easier and safer it’ll be for everyone.

Common Questions

What animals usually get into chimneys?
Usually, the animals that end up in chimneys are birds, squirrels, raccoons, and occasionally bats. They’re often just searching for a quiet, sheltered spot to rest or build a nest.

Can I remove the animal myself?
It’s not a good idea. Wild animals can panic, bite, or cause damage inside your home. Experts have the right equipment and know-how to handle the job safely.

Will the animal leave on its own?
Sometimes, but not always. Some get stuck and can’t climb out. Others build nests and plan to stay. Either way, it’s better to deal with it quickly.

What does it cost to get an animal removed from a chimney?
Costs can vary depending on the type of animal and how hard it is to reach, but it’s usually a lot cheaper than fixing damage caused by leaving it too long.

What if I don’t hear the animal anymore?
It might have left—but it could also be stuck or worse. It’s best to have someone check so you don’t end up with a bigger problem later.

Final Thoughts

Finding an animal in your chimney can be surprising and even a little scary. But it’s a problem you can fix, and it doesn’t have to be a big deal if you handle it the right way. Just remember: don’t light a fire, don’t try to pull it out yourself, and get someone who knows chimneys to help you.

We’ve been helping homeowners with this kind of thing for years, and we know how to take care of it safely and quickly. So if you’re dealing with strange noises in your chimney or just want to keep it safe, Milwaukee Chimney Animal Removal is here to help.

Stay warm, stay safe—and keep those critters out of your flue.