What to do
- Do not light a fire.Smoke will not drive out or burn up the carcass cleanly; it can trap a live animal, ignite nesting material and add smoke odor on top of decay.
- Close the damper and the glass doors.That limits how much odor reaches the room while you arrange help.
- Listen first.Scratching, chirping or squeaking means something is alive. Many native birds, including chimney swifts, are protected while nesting, so involve a licensed wildlife professional.
- Have a chimney professional remove it.A sweep can reach the smoke shelf and flue with the right tools and inspect for damage at the same time.
- Cap the chimney.A properly sized cap with mesh keeps animals out while allowing the flue to draft.
Once the carcass is out
Why chimneys trap animals
Masonry chimneys are smooth inside, so a squirrel or bird that falls in often cannot climb back out. Many end up on the smoke shelf, a ledge just above the damper, where they die out of sight. Raccoons sometimes den deliberately in chimneys in spring, and their young can be left behind.
A stainless steel cap with mesh sides is the simplest long-term fix. It keeps animals out while letting smoke and furnace exhaust escape.
Common questions
Can I drop a light down from the top to look?
Climbing onto an older roof to peer into a flue is a common way to get hurt. Looking up from the firebox with the damper open and a strong flashlight is safer, and a sweep can do the rest.
Will the smell clear once the animal is removed?
Usually, because masonry and metal liners do not absorb much. Soot and nesting debris can hold some odor, so ask for the smoke shelf to be cleaned too.
General information for Sloan's Lake, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.