What to Do About an Animal in Your Chimney

By Garrett Sullivan, 16 years of experience · November 13, 2026 · 7 min read

To get an animal out of a chimney safely, stop using the fireplace, keep people and pets away, and don’t reach into the flue. Note where you hear or see it, then arrange professional removal before using the fireplace again.

Need help now? (380) 234-1398

How to Get an Animal Out of a Chimney Without Making It Worse

An animal in the flue may be frightened, injured, or unable to climb back out. Trying to flush it out with smoke, water, noise, or bait can harm it or drive it into the living space. Keep your actions simple and avoid disturbing the chimney.

1. Stop using the fireplace — Do not light a fire or run the fireplace while you hear or see an animal in the chimney. Check that the fire is out and the appliance is off.
2. Listen from a safe distance — Note whether the sound seems to come from the firebox, the flue above it, or outside near the chimney top. Don’t put your head inside the firebox to investigate.
3. Keep children and pets away — Move them out of the room and close the room door if you can do so without approaching the animal. Check that they cannot get back to the fireplace.
4. Leave the damper in place — Don’t force a stuck damper or move it to try to reach the animal. Check that the fireplace remains unused while you wait for help.
5. Don’t use smoke, water, or chemicals — These can injure the animal, create a hazard in the home, or make the animal move unpredictably. Keep matches, cleaners, and other substances away from the firebox.
6. Stay off the roof — Don’t remove the chimney cap or reach into the flue from above. Check from the ground only; leave roof access and chimney parts to a professional.
7. If the animal enters the room, give it space — Don’t corner, grab, or chase it. Leave the room if you can, close the door behind you, and check that other people and pets are kept out.
8. Arrange professional removal — Share what you saw or heard and where it seemed to be. Ohio Chimney and Fireplace is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; call (380) 234-1398 to book.

What the Animal’s Location Tells You

The safest next step depends on whether the animal is still in the chimney or has reached the firebox or room. Don’t try to confirm its location by dismantling a cap, reaching into the flue, or making noise inside the chimney.

• You hear scratching or movement above the firebox — The animal may be in the flue, but sound alone won’t show how far up it is or whether it can get out. Keep the fireplace off and report the sound and when it occurs.
• You see an animal inside the firebox — Keep people and pets away, and don’t try to lift it out by hand. If it can move into the room, give it an unobstructed way away from people without blocking your own safe exit.
• You find nesting material, droppings, or debris — These signs can point to animal activity even when you don’t see the animal. Avoid handling the material; tell the sweep what you found so the chimney can be assessed.
• You hear movement but cannot locate it — Don’t assume the chimney is clear just because the sound stops. Keep the fireplace unused until you know the animal is out and the chimney is safe to use.

Which Chimney Animal Removal Option Fits Your Situation

Trying to remove an animal yourself can turn a contained problem into an animal loose in the house, a bite or scratch, or a fall from the roof. Use the animal’s location to decide what to do next, not a guess about where it might be.

Need help now? (380) 234-1398

What to Tell a Chimney Sweep About the Animal

When booking, describe the sound or sighting, where it seems to be, and whether the animal has entered the room. Mention any visible nesting material, droppings, or damage near the fireplace. These details help the sweep understand the situation before arriving.

Ohio Chimney and Fireplace provides chimney animal removal service. Garrett Sullivan, the owner, has 16 years of experience with chimneys and fireplaces, and the company explains the work clearly and recommends only services a homeowner needs.

Call (380) 234-1398 or use the contact page to book. Ask when you book how much time to set aside for the visit; the location of the animal and the access needed can affect the work.

Why DIY Chimney Animal Removal Can Backfire

Reaching into the firebox or flue puts your hands close to a frightened animal and sharp or sooty surfaces. A bite or scratch is one risk; another is causing the animal to move deeper into the chimney or into the house.

Smoke, fire, water, and chemical repellents are not safe ways to drive an animal out. They can injure it, introduce fumes or water into the home, and make its location harder to track. Don’t use a broom, pole, or other tool to poke into the flue.

Climbing onto the roof to remove a cap creates a fall risk and can leave the chimney opening unprotected. If the animal is stuck, injured, or has entered your home, keep people and pets clear and arrange professional help rather than trying a more forceful method.

What to Check After an Animal Leaves the Chimney

Seeing the animal leave does not establish that the flue is clear or that the chimney has no damage. Nesting material and debris may remain, and a cap or other part of the chimney may need attention. Keep the fireplace off until the chimney has been checked.

Tell the sweep where the animal entered or exited and point out any visible disturbance around the firebox or chimney. Don’t pull out debris or try to reinstall a cap yourself. A professional can determine whether removal is enough or whether the chimney needs additional work.

Need help now? (380) 234-1398

How to Reduce the Chance of Another Chimney Animal

After the animal is out, ask for the chimney opening and cap to be checked. A damaged or missing cap can leave an access point, but don’t climb up to inspect or repair it yourself.

• Have the chimney cap checked — Ask whether the cap is present, secure, and in usable condition. A chimney cap installation may be an option if the existing cap is missing or needs replacement.
• Don’t seal the opening while an animal may remain — Blocking an entry point before confirming the animal is out can trap it inside. Have the chimney checked before closing off access.
• Watch for new signs of activity — Scratching, movement, or fresh debris around the fireplace can signal another entry. Stop using the fireplace and arrange a check instead of trying to clear the flue yourself.

When to Book Chimney Animal Removal

Book professional removal when you hear an animal in the flue, see one in the firebox, find signs of nesting, or cannot tell whether it has left. Don’t wait for a fire or use the fireplace to test the chimney.

A sweep can assess the situation and carry out chimney animal removal. If you also need a chimney sweep in Columbus, explain the animal issue when you book so the immediate concern is clear.

Frequently asked questions