Summer Chimney Inspections for Fall Pest Prevention

We know not many of you want to think about the calendar turning from the warm months of the summer to the cooler falls days and even colder winter months, but now is the best time to get your chimney inspected for potential pest problems.

What Fall & Winter Mean to Wildlife

For New Englanders, autumn means a spectacular showing of colorful leaves and a drop in humidity. It signals a time to start closing up the garden and getting ready for another long winter.For wildlife, the same signals and preparations apply. Raccoons, skunks, squirrels, and other animals get ready to hibernate or overwinter. They generally need to find a warm, dry place where they can ride out the dip in temperatures and stay protected throughout the sometimes harsh winter months.Your chimney may be a perfect place to have access to warmth and safety, all while still having easy access to the outdoors when needed.

What Animals Could Be A Chimney Problem?

Amazingly, the list of critters that may want to set up shop in your chimney is long. Some of the more obvious choices include: raccoons, skunks, squirrels, rats, mice, and bats. The unique parts of a chimney make it an ideal place to hang out while waiting for the weather to improve. The flue gives access to the interior of the chimney and allows for an animal to get in and out. The chimney shelf and damper allows for the animal to have a nesting or overwintering site.

What To Do If You Have a Pest in Your Chimney

For homeowners that use their fireplaces often, especially throughout the fall and winter, you may notice nesting materials as you open the damper or even spot the animal trying to escape through the interior of your home. If this is the case, you will want to have our team inspect the area and remove the critter in question. Then you will want to have a chimney cleaner evaluate what remnants remain and should be cleaned.Summer is a great time to have your chimney cleaned and determine if pests have been there in the past year. Nesting materials and debris from infestations can give you an early warning if a critter decides to move in again this fall/winter.