Birds, bats or raccoons in the chimney? Animal removal in Tampa Palms

Keeping the animal out of the living space

The fireplace damper and the glass doors or screen are the barrier between the chimney and the room. While an animal is in the chimney, keep both closed and resist opening the damper to look.

If the fireplace has no doors, block the opening with something the animal cannot push aside, and keep children and pets out of the room. Those steps buy time while the animal is identified and the right help is arranged.

• Keep the damper and fireplace doors closed
• Keep children and pets out of the room
• Do not light a fire or use smoke
• Note when you hear the sounds and what they are like

Animal-proofing a factory-built chimney

A factory-built fireplace uses a metal chimney pipe with a cap made for that system. Florida's residential code requires these chimneys to be installed and terminated according to the manufacturer's instructions, so a generic screen or mesh cannot simply be wrapped around the top.

If animals are getting into a factory-built chimney or its chase, we identify the listed cap or chase repair that closes the entry without changing how the chimney system is meant to work.

The model information on the fireplace label helps identify the correct part. We record it where it can be reached so the replacement matches the system.

Other animals that end up in chimneys

Birds, bats, squirrels and raccoons are the visitors people ask about most, but they are not the only ones. Any animal that climbs or flies can reach an open chimney top, and some fall in by accident rather than choosing the flue as a home.

The first steps are the same whatever the animal. Keep the fireplace closed, keep people and pets away and describe what you have heard or seen. We identify what we can and explain who should handle the animal before any chimney work begins.

What to tell us when you call

A few details help us plan the visit. Tell us what you have heard and when, whether anything has come into the room and whether you have seen animals at the chimney top. Mention whether the chimney has a cap and whether the fireplace has doors.

Let us know about children, pets and anyone in the household who may have touched an animal or its droppings. If someone has been bitten or scratched, medical advice comes before any call to us.