There are two ways in which squirrels will end up inside your chimney.
Squirrel nest in chimney uk.
How do squirrels nest.
Squirrels usually nest about 20 high in the fork of tree branches a cavity in tree trunks or in an abandoned birds nest such as woodpecker.
They are in parks in gardens in rural areas and your backyard or lawn.
Squirrels unfortunately also like to nest in attics leaving droppings and urine.
Signs of squirrels in or around chimneys.
In the colder months squirrels often seek refuge inside chimneys and attics.
When selecting places to construct nests squirrels typically look for secluded areas off the ground with plenty of cover.
This can be a problem on many levels.
Squirrels are one of the wildlife animals that are most likely to end up in your chimney because of their ability to climb.
In the uk we are accustomed to seeing squirrels pretty much everywhere.
Things other than birds nest in chimneys wasps and bees and worst of all squirrels.
Also called dreys they ll often have 2 or 3 nests.
Wasps bees and squirrel nests in chimneys if you find wasps in a chimney its usually better to wait until it gets colder when the wasps are all dead as they only use the nest once and it virtually made of paper it is easily removed.
While squirrels rarely infest chimneys themselves the pests may nest in metal chimney boxes see picture below.
Often they bring their nesting materials into the chimney with them which presents a fire hazard when the fireplace is used.
Most commonly a squirrel in a chimney is a female who wants a safe place to have a nest of baby squirrels.
A chimney is a great place for a squirrel to live.
In one instance squirrels will live at the base of the chimney and will use the chute to come and go as they please.
Photo by john brighenti on flickr.
If there is a crack or a hole in a building squirrels will make it bigger so that they can get in.
Despite this squirrels are essential to the environment since they carry microriza which help plants to grow.
The squirrel may see the chimney as a hollow tree which is perfect for them to live in especially in the winter.
Assume that the squirrel you hear scrambling in a chimney is trapped unless you ve got clear evidence that they are able to climb back out on their own.
Here is what to do.
Squirrels will climb their way up a chimney and use the space above the fireplace as their home.
Squirrels in the chimney sometimes squirrels enter chimneys and are unable to climb back out forcing them to try to get out from a fireplace or basement ducts.
In some instances though a squirrel will actually fall down a slick metal chimney flu and get stuck.
Like a big hollow tree.
Squirrels are amazing climbers.
Once the squirrel is inside it is a great home because it is warm and dry.
If a squirrel falls down a chimney and becomes trapped inside the fireplace homeowners may be alerted to their presence via various sounds smells sights.
