Getting Animals and Nests Out of Chimneys in the Twin Cities

An uncapped flue is a warm, dry shaft that looks a lot like a hollow tree. Raccoons use them to raise young in spring, squirrels fall in and cannot climb out, and birds nest on the smoke shelf. Many older houses in Minneapolis and St. Paul still have open clay flues, because the caps were never added or rusted away decades ago.

The visit starts with the free inspection. We find out what is inside and where, which tells us how to get it out. Live animals are removed or encouraged out, nests and droppings are cleared from the flue and smoke shelf, and the price for that is set right there. The real fix is a cap with mesh sides, which ends the problem for good. That part is priced on our list at $200 to $850 installed.

Signs you need this

• Scratching or thumping inside the chimney, often at dawn and dusk
• Chirping or chattering from behind the damper
• Twigs, leaves or droppings on the smoke shelf or in the firebox
• A musty, foul smell that gets worse in warm weather
• No cap visible on top of the flue from the street

How we do it

1. Find out what is thereAt the free inspection we check the top and the damper area and identify the animal or nest.
2. Remove itAnimals are taken out or let out safely; nests, droppings and debris are cleared.
3. Clean and deodorizeThe flue and smoke shelf are cleaned so the smell and nesting material are gone.
4. Cap the flueA mesh-sided cap goes on so nothing can get back in.

Do not light a fire to drive it out

Smoke and heat can trap a young animal in the flue, and dry nesting material catches fast. Leave the damper closed so nothing gets into the house, keep pets away from the fireplace, and wait for us to see what is there.

Why a cap is the actual fix

Removal solves today's problem. A cap solves the next one. The mesh sides keep animals and birds out while letting exhaust leave, and the top keeps rain and snow off the flue and damper. Our cap range is $200 to $850 installed, with a stainless single-flue cap typically $475 to $600.

• Mesh sides to keep out raccoons, squirrels and birds
• A lid that sheds rain and snow off the flue
• Stainless steel that stands up to road-salt air and winter
• Sized to cover every flue on a multi-flue stack when needed