How To Get A Squirrel Out Of Your Chimney

My house has been invaded by a squirrel, and it’s not just the one—I’ve seen four of them! I’ve heard a lot of scratching noises coming from the walls and attic, and I’m pretty certain they’re all living inside my home. I knew they had to be coming in somewhere, and then I realized it—they were coming in through the chimney! I knew I had to get them out as quickly as possible, so I decided to use the tips below to help me do just that.

Finding The Entrance To The Chimney

The first step in my mission to evict the squirrels was to find the entrance to my chimney, as that’s how the critters were likely gaining access to my home. While my view of the chimney from the outside of the house wasn’t very helpful in determining the entrance, once I scrambled up onto the roof I was able to see it clearly. I could see that the squirrels had been digging in this area, and this is exactly how they were getting into my home.

Plugging Up The Chimney Entrance

Once I had located the entrance to the chimney, the next step was to plug it up to prevent the squirrels from coming back in. The easiest way to do this was to use a chimney cap. All I had to do was simply fit the cap around the chimney flue and secure it with metal straps. This way, the squirrels would no longer have access to my home through the chimney, and they would have to find another route if they wanted to invade my space again.

Cleaning Out The Squirrels’ Nest

Once I had plugged up the entrance to the chimney, I then had to remove the actual nest the squirrels had built from inside. I used a long pole to help me reach into the chimney, and was able to remove the nesting material, which was made up of twigs and leaves. I disposed of the material safely, so I knew that the squirrels wouldn’t be able to use it as a cozy home again.

Using A Humane Live Trap To Catch The Squirrels

Now that I had removed the squirrels’ nesting material, I then had to find a way to catch the rodents. The best way to do this was to use a humane live trap, as this way I could ensure that the squirrels didn’t come to any harm in the process. I baited the trap with peanut butter, and soon enough, I caught all four of the critters. I was then able to release them back into the wild, far away from my home.

Sealing Up Any Potential Entrances To The House

Though I had caught all of the squirrels and managed to get them off of my property, I knew I needed to make sure no other critters were able to make their way inside my home in the future. I did this by searching around the perimeter of my house to look for any potential entrances. I filled in any gaps or cracks I came across with steel wool, and ensured that all of my windows and vents had tight seals to prevent any other animals from gaining access.

Why Prevention is Key

Now that I know how to get a squirrel out of my chimney, I’m determined to prevent this from happening again. I plan to use some of the preventative measures listed here, such as keeping my property clear of debris, trimming back any low hanging branches, and keeping an eye out for any potential entrances. I also plan to have my chimney inspected and swept regularly, so I’ll be one step ahead when it comes to preventing another invasion.

Conclusion

Getting a squirrel out of your chimney is definitely not an easy task, but it’s not impossible. With the right steps, you can ensure that an invasion of critters will never take place in your home again. With a few simple precautions, you can protect your home and peace of mind for good.