Down Through the Chimney with Lots of…Pests?

As the months get colder and the elements outside get harsher, pests and other wildlife may start to seek shelter inside your home. One of the easiest places they have access to is your chimney, and coincidentally, it’s also one of the best hiding places.

Larger animals like raccoons and opossums may climb into your chimney for denning. These animals carry high rates of rabies and can be extremely aggressive, so it’s best to contact a professional before trying to remove them yourself.

Birds often build nests on the smoke shelves inside of chimneys. Bats and squirrels are also common chimney swellers, and even pests like beetles can find their way in through small cracks in a chimney’s construction.

Although it’s unpleasant to have these intruders so close to your living areas, perhaps more concerning are the mites, ticks, fleas and other parasites that they bring with them. These secondary intruders can easily transfer to other living creatures in your home and pose potential health risks to your family and pets.

Additionally, animal bodies and nesting materials can cause serious fire hazards when left inside the chimney, potentially even blocking harmful gasses from escaping.

What Can You Do to Protect Your Chimney?

Luckily, there are a few precautions you can take to minimize the potential of this happening to you.

Close the chimney flue when not in use. This seems like a no-brainer, but it’s easy to forget to close the flue after you’ve used the chimney. Just remember to open it up again the next time you want to use the fireplace!
Invest in a chimney cap. Usually, a cap with wire mesh is enough to keep out larger rodents but will also allow fumes and byproducts of a fire to escape easily.
Inspect the chimney for cracks and holes. These are easy entrances for mice, squirrels and insects.
Consider a fireplace door rather than a small gate to seal off easy entrance to your living area.

If you find that you already have an infestation in your chimney or are just looking to best protect yourself from a potential one, call the integrated pest management experts at Pestmaster. We will conduct a thorough evaluation of your chimney and overall property before recommending a customized solution that best fits your issue and lifestyle. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.