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Noises in the chimneyAnimal removal from chimneys
Animal removal from a chimney means getting a raccoon or squirrel out safely, then fitting a cap so the opening is covered. Sterling removes raccoons and squirrels from chimneys across the east metro and caps the flue afterward. Hear scratching or thumping? Describe the sound, and we will help you work out what is up there.
Open 7 days, 8am-8pm
Keep pets and children out of the room until we have looked.
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- Open 7 days, 8am-8pm
- 10+ years
- Licensed, bonded & insured
- Same-week, evenings & weekends
What is in my chimney? What the sounds tell you
A sound only hints at the visitor. Use this as a starting point, then tell us what you hear.
| What you hear | Likely visitor | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy thumping, shifting or scraping | Raccoon | Shut the room, call us |
| High chittering or cries | A raccoon with young | Call us and tell us what you hear |
| Light scampering or scratching by day | Squirrel | Call us |
| Fluttering or chirping in warm months | Protected wildlife | Call us before anything is capped |
Is it safe to remove an animal myself?
No. A frightened raccoon or squirrel can bite and scratch, and one that is pushed or smoked can drop into the fireplace and the room. Do not poke at it, do not light a fire to chase it out, and do not open the damper to look.
Close the glass doors or the screen, shut the room, and keep pets and children out until we have looked.
Fluttering in warm months: why timing matters
Some chimney tenants in summer are protected by law, and the rules limit what anyone can do while they are there. If your sounds are chirping or fluttering, say so on the call. We plan the timing with you and cap the chimney once it is empty.
How do you stop it coming back?
With a cap. A well-fitted cap with a mesh screen covers the opening animals use to get in. After removal we look at the flue, clear out any debris and bedding, and fit a cap sized to your flue. Stainless steel or copper, the cap is sized to your flue so it sits snug.
Who do I call for bats?
Bats follow wildlife rules of their own, so mention them on the call. We tell you the right next step for your situation and can cap the chimney once the flue is clear.
From the first call to the cap
Listen
You describe the sound, when it started and whether it is day or night.
Look
We examine the chimney top and the firebox to see how the animal got in and where it is.
Remove
We remove the raccoon or squirrel, with drop cloths over the hearth.
Clean and cap
We clear debris from the flue and fit a screened cap, then show you the finished top.
What happens after the animal is out?
A flue that held an animal can be blocked with leaves, fur and droppings, and the smell can linger. A chimney sweep clears the debris, and an inspection checks the damper and the flue for damage. We recommend only what the flue needs, and you decide.
What does animal removal cost?
It is quoted after we see the situation, since the work differs from one chimney to the next. The services page lists the starting prices for caps and sweeps, and a call gets you the rest.
Animal questions
Short answers first.
Which animals do you remove from chimneys?
Raccoons and squirrels. We cap the flue once it is empty, so the opening is covered.
Should I light a fire to scare it out?
No. Fire can hurt the animal, fill the room with smoke and leave a mess in the flue. Skip the fire and call.
Does a cap end the problem for good?
A snug, screened cap closes the opening animals use. Gaps elsewhere on the roof are separate, and we tell you if we see any.
Will the smell go away?
Once the animal and its debris are out of the flue, most of the smell clears. A sweep after removal helps, and we tell you if the firebox needs more.
Can the same visit include a sweep?
Yes. Removal, cleaning and the cap can fit one appointment, depending on what we find.
Animal calls near these towns
We handle chimney animals across the east metro, including these places.
- 01
Lake Elmo
Much of the city is still farmland, with Lake Elmo Park Reserve.
- 02
Grant
A city crossed by the Gateway State Trail.
- 03
Little Canada
Gervais Mill Park and Lake Gervais on the east side.
- 04
Vadnais Heights
Vadnais Lake's protected land and I-35E, I-694 and U.S. 61.
Hearing something up there? Tell us what.
Describe the sound and the time of day, and we will plan the visit.