There is an animal in the chimney

What has probably happened

• There is no cap, or the cap has rusted through or blown off.
• Birds nest in flues in spring — and in some places certain species are legally protected while nesting.
• Raccoons use chimneys as dens and will not leave willingly with young inside.
• Squirrels fall in and cannot climb back out of a smooth liner.
• Bats roost in flues and need handling under their own rules.

What the technician does

• The animal is identified before anything is done, because what is up there decides what is legal and what is safe.
• Removal or humane eviction as appropriate, and coordination with a wildlife specialist where the species requires it.
• Nesting material and debris removed — it is the blockage that makes the flue dangerous.
• The flue swept and inspected once it is clear.
• A properly sized cap with mesh fitted so it does not happen again.
• Droppings cleaned up and the flue treated where there has been a long-term roost.

Questions people ask

How do I know if it is still alive?

Scratching, chirping and rustling, usually worse at dawn and dusk. Silence does not mean empty — it can mean something died in there, which you will discover by smell.

Will a cap stop it happening again?

Yes, and it is the only thing that does. A stainless cap with mesh keeps out birds, raccoons and squirrels, and keeps rain out as a bonus.

There is a smell but no noise.

That is usually something that died in the flue, or a long-established nest. Both need clearing out — it will not resolve on its own.