How to get and keep squirrels out of my chimney in West Virginia | Tree squirrel

West Virginia > Animal is living inside my chimney > Tree squirrel

How to get and keep squirrels out of my chimney

The best way to keep squirrels out of your chimney is to install a commercial, stainless steel chimney cap over the top of the chimney to prevent animal entry.

If a squirrel is already in your chimney, you need to remove it and cap the chimney to prevent further access.

To help the squirrel escape:

  1. Tie a 3/4-inch or thicker rope around the top of your chimney.
  2. Lower the other end into your chimney.
  3. The squirrel should climb up the rope and escape within a few hours.

Setting a baited cage trap in the fireplace and then opening the damper, allowing the squirrel to come down and enter the trap, is also effective. This method should only be used if the fireplace is secured by tight-fitting glass doors or covered with plywood to prevent escape into the house.

Do not use fire or smoke to encourage the animal to leave.

Once you are certain that the squirrel has escaped, cap the chimney with a commercially made cap and take steps to prevent squirrels climbing the building.

Note: Never try to grab an adult squirrel with a gloved hand. They will bite through most leather gloves, causing injury. 

Assistance in West Virginia

Contact the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources for a list of licensed Animal Damage Control agents in your area who can assist with animal removal, damage, damage prevention, and clean up.  Be aware that they charge for their services.  Your local Division of Natural Resources office can provide guidance regarding nuisance wildlife.  They can also provide you with a permit to remove or destroy certain animals, and advice on how to do so, if it is necessary or desirable for you to trap or shoot animals yourself.  Federally protected species require additional permits as noted if necessary.

West Virginia Division of Natural Resources district offices:    

District 1       Farmington              304 825-6787

District 2       Romney                   304 822-3551                                                                                                                           

District 3       French Creek          304 924-6211

District 4       Beckely                   304 256-6947

District 5       Alum Creek             304 756-1023

District 6       Parkersburg            304 420-4550

Op Center    Elkins                      304 637-0245

Trapped animals must be humanely dispatched.  They may not be relocated without prior approval from West Virginia Division of Natural Resources.

Laws and regulations to be aware of

While we attempt to provide guidance about state and federal regulations pertaining to specific species and control techniques, we do not provide information about local jurisdictions (city, town, county, etc.) where regulations may be more restrictive, especially as it applies to discharge of firearms, transport of animals or use of trapping equipment. Contact your local city or county government to inquire further. No guarantee is made that information (or lack of information) associated with a species or control technique is completely accurate or current. You should become familiar with federal, state and local laws before beginning any wildlife control activities.

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