Raccoons
A raccoon living in the chimney is removed without harming the kits.
Chimney Sweeping
Chimney Animal Removal Northbrook, IL
A chimney sweep in Northbrook can remove birds, raccoons, squirrels and nests from your chimney safely and with the right timing for the animal, then cap the top. Dial (224) 458-2675 to be connected with a nearby chimney sweep.
To birds, raccoons and squirrels, an uncapped chimney is a dry, sheltered den. Raccoons den above the damper, birds nest in the flue and small animals like squirrels can fall in and get stuck. They leave nests that can block smoke and catch fire, droppings that smell and parasites that can spread.
Do not try to smoke an animal out by lighting a fire. Young animals that cannot climb will be hurt, the nest can catch fire, and a blocked flue can push smoke and carbon monoxide into the house. Keep the damper and any fireplace doors closed so the animal stays in the chimney, and keep pets away from the fireplace.
The type of animal decides how and when it can be removed. Chimney swifts are a protected migratory bird, so their nests can only be removed after nesting season, and a sweep will advise on timing. Rules on trapping and relocating wildlife vary by state, so the method follows what is allowed in Illinois. Afterward, a chimney cap with screening is what keeps the next one out.
If the problem goes deeper than it first looked, a Northbrook chimney sweep may also recommend chimney cap installation or chimney cleaning.
Need chimney animal removal in Northbrook? Call (224) 458-2675 to reach a nearby chimney sweep.
Call nowThe process
The chimney animal removal process
Safe removal depends on knowing what is in the chimney and planning around it.
Start with the clues
Sounds, droppings, timing and a look up the flue tell the technician what is living in the chimney and whether young are involved.
Set the approach
If chimney swifts are nesting, the sweep will advise on when the nest can come out and you hear what to expect.
Get it out
Animals are removed by hand, with a catch pole, through a one-way exit or by letting a mother move her young while keeping it out of the house.
Remove debris
All debris left behind is cleared out and the flue is swept if needed.
Sanitize
Where animals have nested, the area is cleaned to remove odor and parasites which helps with lingering smells.
Add a cap
A cap that covers the flue and blocks wildlife is fitted so the problem does not repeat next season.
What is included
What chimney animal removal covers
Squirrels
Squirrels, mice and other small animals that fall in and get trapped are taken out since they cannot climb back out.
Bat exclusion
Bats are moved out with one-way exits timed around their breeding season because they are protected in many places.
Odor cleanup
An animal that died in the chimney is removed and the odor treated to clear the smell.
Birds
Birds and their nesting material are removed and the flue is capped afterward.
Related service
Bird Nest Removal Northbrook, IL
Birds nest in chimneys because the inside of a flue is dry, sheltered and hard for predators to reach. A nest of dry twigs and grass is both a blockage and a fire hazard. If the flue vents a furnace or water heater, a nest can force carbon monoxide into the house.
Chimney swifts are a protected migratory bird, so their nests can only be removed after nesting season, once the birds have left. A Northbrook sweep can tell you when removal is allowed, then clear the nest and cap the chimney. Other birds may be handled on a different schedule depending on the species, so ask the sweep.
Related service
Raccoon Removal Northbrook, IL
Raccoons are strong climbers, and a mother raccoon will often choose a chimney smoke shelf as a den to raise her kits in spring. You may hear chattering, crying or thumping above the damper, especially at dusk when the mother comes and goes. Raccoons can carry rabies and their droppings can carry roundworm, so never reach into the flue or try to handle one.
A common approach is to remove the kits first and give the mother the chance to move them, then confirm the den is empty before capping. Wildlife rules in Illinois can limit trapping and relocation, which shapes how the removal is done. After that, droppings are cleaned up and a sturdy cap is fitted, since raccoons can tear lightweight caps off.
Local help
Chimney Animal Removal Near Me
Chimneys in Northbrook see the most animal activity in spring and early summer, when birds nest and raccoons raise their young. From Northbrook out to places like Deerfield, Glenview, Northfield and Glencoe, older chimneys without caps are the easiest targets for birds and raccoons. A cap with a mesh screen is the simplest fix, and trimming branches back from the roof helps too.
Need chimney animal removal around Northbrook? Call (224) 458-2675 for a Northbrook chimney sweep who serves the towns around it too.
How the weather here affects chimneys around Northbrook
This part of the country gets long winters, heavy snow in places and stretches of bitter cold. Heating systems and wood stoves work nearly nonstop for months, which means fast creosote buildup and a lot of stress on liners, crowns and flashing. Snow that piles up behind a chimney and melts slowly is a common source of leaks at the flashing. That is why Northbrook chimney sweeps are busiest every September and October.
Why call
Why act early
Less damage
A chimney problem fixed early rarely spreads to the masonry, the liner or the house.
Local knowledge
Local sweeps see the same chimney types and weather wear across Northbrook and nearby towns.
Clear next steps
Ask your questions before you agree to anything.
Chimney Animal Removal FAQ
How do I keep animals out of my chimney?
A chimney cap with a mesh screen is the most effective way to keep animals out. Choose a cap that is fastened securely and has mesh fine enough to stop birds. Keeping branches off the roof removes an easy path to the top.
Will smoke drive an animal out of the chimney?
Smoke is not a safe way to get an animal out of a chimney. It can kill young animals, start a nest fire and push smoke and carbon monoxide indoors. Keep the damper closed and call a sweep instead.
Why are animals in the chimney a problem?
Animals in a chimney cause problems beyond the noise. Nests can block the flue and catch fire, droppings can carry disease, and raccoons can carry rabies and roundworm. If the chimney vents a gas appliance, a blockage can cause carbon monoxide to back up, which makes working CO alarms important.
How do I get rid of a dead animal smell in my chimney?
A sour, rotten odor from the fireplace points to a dead animal in the chimney. Removing the animal and cleaning the smoke shelf is the only real fix. Keep the damper shut in the meantime.
Can chimney swifts be removed from my chimney?
Chimney swifts are protected under federal law, and their nests cannot be removed while they are in use. Once they migrate, a sweep can clear the nest and cap the chimney so they do not return. In the meantime, keep the damper shut to keep noise and birds out of the house.
More questions? Call (224) 458-2675
Other services that may help
Chimney Cap Installation
Fitting a metal cap over the top of the flue to keep out rain, animals, leaves and stray sparks.
Learn moreChimney Cleaning
Sweeping soot and creosote out of fireplace and stove chimneys of every kind, to cut the risk of a chimney fire.
Learn moreChimney Odor Removal
Tracking down the creosote, moisture or animal behind a smelly fireplace with sweeping, deodorizing and a fix for the cause.
Learn moreChimney Damper Repair
Fixing stuck, rusted or warped chimney dampers or replacing them with a top sealing damper.
Learn more
Looking for something else?
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(224) 458-2675
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