Chimney Animal & Nest Removal

Common Chimney Intruders in Maine

• Raccoons — an uncapped chimney is an ideal, sheltered den site, especially for a mother raising young in spring. Raccoons are strong enough to widen small gaps and can cause real damage getting in and out.
• Squirrels — smaller entry points are no obstacle; squirrels commonly nest in the upper flue or smoke shelf and can bring in significant nesting material over a season.
• Birds — chimney swifts and other birds nest in flues during spring and summer. Some species are federally protected, which affects the timing and method of removal — we'll walk you through what applies to your situation.
• Nesting material blockage — even after animals are gone, leftover nesting material can fully or partially block a flue, which is a carbon monoxide and chimney fire risk if a fire is lit before the blockage is cleared.

Signs You Have an Animal in Your Chimney

• Scratching, scampering, or chittering sounds from the flue, especially at dawn or dusk
• A strong musty or ammonia-like odor coming from the fireplace
• Visible nesting material at the top of the flue or falling into the firebox
• Flies or other insects gathering around the fireplace (often drawn to nesting material or, less pleasantly, a deceased animal in the flue)
• Smoke not drawing properly, which can indicate a partial blockage

Our Removal Process

We assess how the animal is entering, confirm whether young are present (which changes timing and method — we won't separate a mother from dependent young), and remove the animal and nesting material using humane methods and one-way exclusion devices where appropriate. Once the chimney is clear, we do a full cleaning to remove nesting debris, droppings, and any related odor sources, then inspect for damage the animal may have caused to the liner, damper, or crown.

Don't Try to Smoke Them Out Yourself

Lighting a fire to try to drive an animal out is a common but risky move — it can panic the animal further into the house rather than out, and it risks injuring or killing an animal trapped against a blockage, which creates its own odor and cleanup problem. It's also frequently illegal for protected species. Call a professional before lighting anything.