A fireplace is no place for a squirrel. Squirrels make a mess of urine and feces wherever they nest, and they attract other pests to the home as well. If there is a squirrel in your fireplace, it could also be totally stuck and unable to get out. Whether the squirrel is looking for a place to nest or it has fallen down the chimney, immediate action is required. For professional squirrel removal and prevention, call Pest Control Kitchener now.
If there is a squirrel in your fireplace, it may be trapped in there. To see if it is stuck, try making lots of noise to scare the animal up the chimney. If it appears to be stuck, try hanging a thick rope down the chimney so it has something to grab onto and climb out. If it refuses to leave, set up a trap. You can purchase humane traps in most hardware stores. Close all the doors to the room and open up any exterior windows or doors so the squirrel has a way out. Bait the trap with peanut butter or some nuts, then slowly and carefully place it inside the fireplace. The squirrel will probably stay frozen inside the fireplace while you place the trap. If you can, close the doors to the fireplace, then leave the room to give the animal some time to enter the trap. Once inside the trap, take the squirrel out into the yard and carefully open the trap while standing behind it to let the squirrel out. The squirrel should run away immediately.
You should cap the chimney once the squirrel is out. This can be done by screwing a steel wire mesh to the top of the chimney. If you think there are squirrels still nesting somewhere in the chimney, you should have a one-way door installed to the top. This works like a trap, only instead of trapping the animals, it simply lets them crawl out of the chimney and prevents them from coming back. Be careful when setting up the one-way door yourself, however. There may be babies nesting in the chimney. If you can reach them, put on a thick pair of gloves and gently remove them from the chimney. Place them in a cardboard box and leave them next to the chimney so the mother can come get them. Once the animals are out of your chimney, install a mesh screen to the chimney top to prevent any future infestations.
Handling all this by yourself can be very stressful. You may want the help of a professional to get squirrels out of the chimney or fireplace. A licensed wildlife removal technician will have the best traps and will know where to place them most effectively. A professional can also examine your roof closely for any weak spots or potential entry points that animals could use to get into your attic. For a thorough inspection of your roof and quality pest-proofing, call Pest Control Kitchener (226-778-3098) today and ask us about our warranties.