While many wild animals fear people, they sometimes take shelter in human habitations, finding an out-of-the-way place to stay safe and warm. While some creatures can avoid detection for a while, you need to contact wildlife control in Okanagan as soon as you become aware of their presence. Chimneys are a common place for wildlife to hide because it is dark, cozy, and all but inaccessible to you. However, it is relatively easy for animals to get in unless you have taken steps to obstruct their path.

Raccoons are notorious for hiding in human houses because they like to feed out of garbage cans. They are skilled climbers and instinctively seek to make dens high up off the ground for protection. In the wild, this means denning in the hollow of a tree, but if they choose to move into your house, they are more likely to take up residence in the attic or chimney.

How Do You Prevent Raccoons From Getting in Your Chimney?

Raccoon removal from a chimney can be challenging, so it is preferable to prevent them from getting inside in the first place. The best way to do that is with a chimney cap. Also called a chase cover, this is a metal mesh that covers the chimney flue completely. It prevents wildlife from getting inside while allowing smoke to escape.

There are two types of chimney caps: inside-mount and single-flue. An inside-mount chimney cap slides inside the flue. It doesn’t require any hardware to install, but you have to seal the gaps between the chimney cap and the flue with caulk. A single-flue cap requires bolts and screws to install, which are provided. Both types are available at hardware stores and reasonably priced. However, you have to be sure that you measure the chimney accurately before purchase so that the cap will fit.

Apart from preventing wildlife entry to your home, a chimney cap offers other benefits:

• Keeps trash and other debris out of your chimney
• Reduces airflow issues
• Protects against moisture

What Should You NOT Do if Raccoons Get in Your Chimney?

Above all else, you should never attempt to manually remove a raccoon from your home. While raccoons are normally not aggressive, they do not hesitate to defend themselves if threatened and are well-equipped to do so with sharp claws and teeth. A raccoon that makes a den in your chimney is probably a female raising kits, and mother raccoons are known to be fearless and ruthless in protecting their young.

Because there are probably baby raccoons in the chimney, you should not attempt to seal it when the mother raccoon leaves. If she cannot get back to feed the babies, they will die. Before that happens, the mother will do whatever she can to get back to her kits, and whether she succeeds or not, she can cause extensive property damage in the attempt.

Under no circumstances should you attempt to light a fire and smoke the raccoons out of your chimney. While the mother raccoon might escape, the babies could die from the heat and smoke. Furthermore, when you open the damper to allow the smoke to escape, the raccoons could see it as an escape route and flee into your home. You do not want to be in an enclosed space with raccoons that are confused and angry.

What Can You Do About Raccoons in Your Chimney?

While you shouldn’t remove the raccoons by yourself, you can’t leave them there either. It isn’t safe for either you or the raccoons. The best thing to do is call for professional wildlife removal.

Why Should You Choose Skedaddle for Wildlife Control in Okanagan?

Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control has 30 years of experience removing animals from homes, keeping both the animals and the homeowners safe. Find out more about our process.