Things other than birds nest in chimneys wasps and bees and worst of all squirrels.
Squirrel nest in chimney uk.
In one instance squirrels will live at the base of the chimney and will use the chute to come and go as they please.
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.
This can be a problem on many levels.
Photo by john brighenti on flickr.
Despite this squirrels are essential to the environment since they carry microriza which help plants to grow.
What you should know.
Here is what to do.
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.
Squirrels are amazing climbers.
Squirrels are one of the wildlife animals that are most likely to end up in your chimney because of their ability to climb.
How do squirrels nest.
While squirrels rarely infest chimneys themselves the pests may nest in metal chimney boxes see picture below.
In the uk we are accustomed to seeing squirrels pretty much everywhere.
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.
A chimney is a great place for a squirrel to live.
Squirrels will climb their way up a chimney and use the space above the fireplace as their home.
Most commonly a squirrel in a chimney is a female who wants a safe place to have a nest of baby squirrels.
Squirrels unfortunately also like to nest in attics leaving droppings and urine.
Often they bring their nesting materials into the chimney with them which presents a fire hazard when the fireplace is used.
They are in parks in gardens in rural areas and your backyard or lawn.
There are two ways in which squirrels will end up inside your chimney.
They nest alone but will build up the primary nest prior to the mating season and to share over winter.
If there is a crack or a hole in a building squirrels will make it bigger so that they can get in.
Like a big hollow tree.
Squirrels can also drop down into your fireplace from the chimney and wreak havoc on your home.
In the colder months squirrels often seek refuge inside chimneys and attics.
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.
The squirrel may see the chimney as a hollow tree which is perfect for them to live in especially in the winter.
Signs of squirrels in or around chimneys.
In some instances though a squirrel will actually fall down a slick metal chimney flu and get stuck.
