Suburban Raccoons

This is a really good reason to make sure that your chimney is covered with a preventable entry wire mesh of some kind. That keeps not only birds and squirrels out of your chimney, but also raccoons as well. Raccoon in chimneys can be a major problem for many different reasons. As readers can see from this picture there really is not a lot of room for this raccoon to move in this chimney and we are not even sure that it can climb out on its own. If he cannot go up, then he must go down and emerge somewhere in your home.

This would create a mess not to mention the potential damage that he would create while he scurried around your house trying to get out. He also may have babies somewhere as well which he or she may be trying to protect. If cornered they can be ferocious and do even more damage to your person. If cornered they can become quite vicious and cause severe injuries with their claws and teeth. What can consumers do about raccoons in chimneys?

Raccoon in Chimneys – Prevention

If your chimney is not capped to prevent birds and animals it should be. In fact, when it was installed, it should have had a cap installed on top. This cap prevents birds, squirrels, and larger rodents such as raccoons from getting into them. A wire mesh is great provided that it is properly secured and cannot be dislodged by a pesky raccoon.

Birds and squirrels can build nests and raccoons can block chimneys causing your furnace to starve for oxygen. A blockage can produce black smoke etc along with carbon monoxide. This is very dangerous for humans as well as these animals. Many people die each year from carbon monoxide poisoning. Make sure you have a cap installed on your chimney to prevent blockage caused by birds and animals building nests in the chimney.

Raccoon in Chimneys – Getting them Out

If you are lucky they will be able to climb out on their own. Once they are out, install the wire mesh over the top of the chimney so they cannot get back in. You may have to hire a professional to get them out and install the wire mesh. It is dangerous work for several reasons.

First, there is the height and not everyone is comfortable with getting up on a ladder. Second, there is a frightened, probably angry, snarling raccoon to deal with.  It may be as simple as turning on the furnace to heat the chimney to force the raccoon out in this case. Although there is a risk that he will be suffocated and fall further down the chimney. Better to leave the job of removing the raccoon from the chimney to the professionals to deal with. While they are there have the technician inspect the outdoor entry points of your home. He or she will recommend any areas that are possible entry points for raccoons or other animals and suggest a solution. While it may seem pricey, it is well worth it to not have to deal with these pests in your home.

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