Raccoon in the Chimney? Here's What to Do (and Not Do)

A raccoon in your chimney is usually a mother with kits. Learn why you should never light a fire or seal the flue, and how humane chimney raccoon removal safely gets them out.

Why raccoons choose chimneys

A chimney feels like a hollow tree — exactly the kind of spot a female raccoon looks for to raise her young. If you're hearing scratching or chirping from the fireplace in spring, assume there are kits on the smoke shelf.

Never light a fire or seal the flue

Trying to smoke a raccoon out is dangerous and inhumane, and it can trap a panicked animal in your living space. Sealing the top with the family still inside leads to a much worse problem: dead animals and a smell that takes weeks to clear.

The safe way out

The humane approach is to remove the kits by hand, use the mother's instinct to relocate them just outside, and then install a proper chimney cap once everyone is out. That cap prevents the next raccoon, bird, or squirrel from moving in.

Get help fast

Chimney situations are time-sensitive, especially with babies involved. Call us for emergency raccoon-in-chimney removal and we'll walk you through keeping everyone safe until we arrive.