Wildlife Removal - Squirrel Exclusion and Chimney Cap Install in Manchester Township, NJ
Recently, I was sent to a home in Manchester Township, NJ, to deal with a squirrel that had taken up residence inside a chimney. I made a short video demonstrating a chimney squirrel exclusion.
Wildlife will often exploit weaknesses in a home’s structure in order to find ways to enter the home. For arboreal animals like squirrels, once on a roof, they look for ways to gain access inside the home. Squirrels, like many animals, gain access inside homes to escape the harsh elements, avoid predators, and have a private place to nest and care for their young. Common access points include attic fans, weakened roofing, fascia, or soffits, and sometimes, like here, chimneys.
As long as a chimney has a chimney cap that covers the entire opening, chimney access is usually not a problem. The Jersey Shore has a high raccoon and squirrel population, so properly fitting chimney caps are essential to keep out wildlife. It’s also the humane thing to do. These animals often get trapped and die in chimneys, leaving homeowners with a rotting, smelly carcass to deal with. Chimney caps also keep out birds (especially chimney swifts!), which are attracted to chimneys as nesting locations because of their warmth. Chimney caps also keep out rain as well as high winds that can create downdrafts in an open chimney. Downdrafts not only allow cold air to enter the home, they can also cause the home to fill up with smoke.
As shown in the video, this particular chimney did not have a full cap installed over the entire opening. For reasons unknown, someone installed only a half-cap with an insert. The rest of the chimney was wide open. Also, there was no flue (duct or piping to convey the exhaust gases from a fireplace, furnace, water heating, or any appliance with combustion products. Looking down, you could see all the way to the furnace. Also, there were leaves packed at the top of the chimney indicating a nesting area for a squirrel. For these small animals, a chimney looks like a hollow tree to set up shop. Also, leaves in a chimney can obstruct airflow and are a potential fire hazard.
To deal with this squirrel infestation, I installed a piece of hardware cloth with a hole cut out of it for the one-way. The one-way allows any animals to leave, but it’s a one-way trip — they are unable to regain access. I used concrete screws (also known as Tapcon anchors) to secure the cloth to the top of the chimney. The only way out is through the one-way. I placed a tape over the one-way to help me monitor squirrel activity. Should a squirrel exit, the tape will dislodge and some fur will be stuck onto the tape. All that’s lift is to install some traps nearby the opening. Hopefully, I will be able to trap and safely relocate the squirrel.