Raccoon Proof Chimney Frederick
Your chimney can look like a great place to live for a raccoon! They will sometimes enter your chimney when looking for a place to nest, since it’s the ideal spot for a mother looking for a safe place to give birth. Sometimes they end up in the chimney unintentionally. If you hear frantic noises coming from your chimney, one could have fallen into it. You will hear scratching sounds and hopefully the damper will keep them from entering your home. If you hear softer sounds throughout the day, you likely have a nesting situation where they have made your chimney their home. Either way, you will need to have them removed safely.
How do Raccoons get into a Chimney
They can easily enter the chimney if there is no chimney cap or if the existing chimney cap is not properly attached. They are also determined animals that can dislodge the cap or make a hole in it to gain access. This is particularly true if it is not a durable steel chimney cap or is old enough to be in a weakened state.
Safe Raccoon Removal from Chimneys
First, you should never install a new cap or repair the old one without first ensuring all living animals have been removed first. The animal will then be trapped and may end up dead due to starvation. Separating a mother from the babies will frequently lead to the death of the babies. If an animal dies in your chimney you will then have to deal with the decomposing body or bodies which can lead to other issues – including a strong unpleasant odor. If you can see the adult look for nipples, a nursing mom will have them. You will then know you should call a wildlife removal expert to remove the babies. Babies can not exit on their own and are even too small for traps. They have to be removed by hand or with a snare pole and that is a job for a professional in Frederick. It is also worth noting that while spring is the most common time for them to give birth, they may have the occasional litter at other times. So, there is always the possibility that babies could be present.
It is never a good idea to try to agitate these creatures. They can do a lot of damage if they try to scratch their way out of your chimney. Do not light a fire in your fireplace to try to get then to leave. Doing so means opening the damper and ensuring the raccoons will fall into your fireplace. This is not a humane or safe way of removing the animals and will only cause further problems. Your best option is to allow a professional to remove them from your chimney and repair the chimney cap to prevent more from getting in. The last thing you want is dead animals in your chimney or in your fireplace.
Raccoon Exclusion
There are traps that are made for the top of chimneys and they can aid in the removal of adults. If you have trapped a raccoon be aware that there are laws that will regulate what you can do with it. You should be aware of your state and county laws before relocating any trapped raccoon. Once any adult has been removed the chimney should be inspected for the presence of any babies. Then once any babies have been removed, all nesting materials need to be cleaned out. This needs to be done wearing gloves and being careful to limit exposure to diseases, like roundworm. If they have been in your chimney for any time they may have been using your roof as a bathroom. This too will need to be cleaned, making sure to use necessary safety equipment to avoid disease exposure. You will then want to have your chimney inspected to find any damage they may have caused so it can be repaired properly and prevent further ingress.
