ARC Chimney Guides
How to Get an Animal Out of Your Chimney
To get an animal out of your chimney, do not light a fire. Open the damper so a trapped animal can reach the firebox, keep the fireplace doors closed, and call a professional for humane removal. Many chimney animals, like swifts, are federally protected.
The short answer
If an animal is in your chimney, do not light a fire. Open the damper so a trapped animal can drop into the firebox, keep the fireplace doors (or a taped sheet) closed so it cannot get into the room, and call a professional for humane removal. Many chimney animals — especially chimney swifts — are federally protected, so DIY removal can be both dangerous and illegal.
Safe steps if you hear an animal
- Stay calm and do not light a fire. This is the single most important rule.
- Open the damper. A squirrel or bird trapped above a closed damper can drop down to the firebox where it can be reached.
- Seal the firebox opening. Close the glass doors, or tape a sheet over the opening, so the animal cannot enter the living space.
- Reduce stress. Dim the lights in the room and keep pets and children away.
- Call a professional for humane animal removal and flue cleaning.
Why you must never light a fire
- Nesting material is highly combustible and can ignite a chimney fire.
- The animal may be driven into your living space through an open damper, or killed in the flue — a carcass produces hazardous gases and a lasting odor.
- For protected species, it is illegal to harm or disturb the animal.
A note on chimney swifts
Chimney swifts are migratory birds protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and they are beneficial — a single family eats thousands of mosquitoes a day. It is illegal to disturb an active nest. The right move is to wait out the 30 to 45 day nesting season, then have a chimney cap installed immediately after they depart so they cannot return next year.
Keep animals out for good
After removal, the lasting fix is a properly fitted stainless-steel cap with a mesh skirt — it blocks birds, squirrels, and raccoons while still venting the flue. ARC removes wildlife and installs exclusion on the same visit where possible.
Get same-week help
ARC Chimney Sweeps offers humane animal removal across Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi, including Atlanta, New Orleans, and Biloxi. Call (888) 998-2258 or schedule online.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I get a bird or squirrel out of my chimney?
- Do not light a fire. Open the damper so the animal can drop into the firebox, keep the glass doors or a sheet closed so it cannot enter the room, and call a professional for humane removal. Lighting a fire is dangerous and often illegal for protected species.
- Why should I never light a fire to drive an animal out?
- Nesting material in the flue is highly combustible and can start a chimney fire. The animal may be driven into the living space or killed in the flue, where a carcass creates an odor and health hazard. It is dangerous and, for protected birds, illegal.
- Are chimney swifts protected?
- Yes. Chimney swifts are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, so it is illegal to remove or disturb an active nest. The correct approach is to wait out the 30 to 45 day nesting season and then have a cap installed.
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