How to Get Raccoons Out of a Chimney:
Safe Eviction

If you are trying to get rid of raccoons in the chimney, start with one hard rule, do not light a fire or try to smoke them out. A chimney den can hold a mother raccoon and babies, and the fastest safe solution is to remove access, keep the animals from re-entering, and clean up the damage without trapping them inside. The right approach depends on whether the chimney is active, blocked, or already abandoned.

Why raccoons choose chimneys

Raccoons use chimneys as dry, elevated den sites that feel safe from predators and weather. They like the dark, narrow space, and a damaged or uncapped flue gives them direct access into the home. If you hear thumping, chattering, hissing, or scratching from the fireplace or chimney chase, assume an adult raccoon may be nesting there.

In spring and early summer, a female can bring babies into a chimney and stay put for weeks. That matters because removing the mother too early can leave young animals trapped inside. Before you try anything else, shut down the fireplace, keep pets away, and inspect from the outside if you can do so safely.

How to get raccoons out of a chimney safely

The best way to get rid of raccoons in a chimney is to let them leave on their own, then block re-entry. Raccoons are strong climbers, but they are also cautious and will exit when the space is disturbed and an outside exit stays open. Do not use poison, ammonia, loud music, bright lights, or fire. Those tactics create a dead-animal problem inside the flue.

1. Stop using the fireplace and close the damper if you can do it from inside the house.
2. Check the chimney cap and top opening from the roof or with binoculars from the ground.
3. If babies are present, do not separate them from the mother. Wait for professional removal if you cannot see an obvious safe exit strategy.
4. Place a one-way exclusion device or install a temporary sloped cover over the top opening, so raccoons can leave but cannot climb back in.
5. Leave the lower access closed and quiet for the day. Avoid making noise at the hearth that could trap the animals inside the house.

If the raccoon is active and there are no babies, a wildlife removal pro can remove raccoons from chimney faster with a live-trap or direct extraction and then install a cap. That is the safest answer when you need the animal out of the chimney without causing injury, odor, or a chase into the attic.

What to do if there are babies in the chimney

A mother with kits is the hardest version of this problem. If you hear repeated crying, high-pitched squeaks, or a lot of movement near the flue, assume young are involved. The goal is to reunite the family, not force them apart. Most wildlife specialists use a one-way door or carefully remove the nest after confirming the mother can reach the babies.

Do not seal the chimney, cover the fireplace opening tightly, or block the top when babies are inside. That traps the mother outside or traps the young inside. If the nest is deep in the flue or the fireplace opening is blocked by debris, call a licensed wildlife remover. Babies left behind will die quickly and create a sanitation problem that is far worse than the original raccoon issue.

How to remove raccoons from chimney and clean up the mess

Once the raccoons are out, clean and disinfect the chimney area before you use the fireplace again. Raccoons leave fur, droppings, urine, nesting material, and parasites. Wear gloves, a respirator rated for dust and droppings, and old clothes you can wash hot. Keep children and pets out of the area until cleanup is finished.

1. Remove loose nest material from the firebox or accessible flue area.
2. Bag waste in heavy trash bags and seal them before disposal.
3. Scrub hard surfaces with soap and water, then apply a disinfectant labeled for animal waste.
4. Replace damaged insulation, sooty debris, or soaked materials around the fireplace area.
5. Schedule a chimney inspection if you suspect broken flue tile, a damaged liner, or soot buildup from animal activity.

If droppings or urine extended into the attic or walls, expand cleanup to those areas right away. Raccoon waste can carry disease and also attract flies and other pests if it stays damp.

How to keep raccoons out of the chimney

Exclusion is the long-term fix. A proper chimney cap with a heavy-gauge metal screen keeps raccoons out of chimney openings and stops them from climbing back in. Choose a cap that fastens securely to the flue or chimney crown, with mesh small enough to block raccoons but open enough for ventilation and smoke flow. Stainless steel is the best material for durability.

Seal other easy access points at the same time. Trim tree limbs at least 6 to 8 feet away from the roofline, secure garbage cans with locking lids, and remove food sources from the yard. If the cap was damaged or missing, replace it immediately after the animals are gone. A loose cap, rusted screen, or cracked crown invites another den site.

When to call a wildlife professional

Call a wildlife professional if the raccoon is aggressive, if you suspect babies, if the animal has fallen into the flue, or if the chimney is shared with another appliance. Also call if you smell a strong odor of urine or decay, hear activity after you thought the raccoon left, or cannot safely reach the top of the chimney. Direct handling is risky, and a blocked chimney can turn into an indoor contamination problem fast.

Professional removal is the best option when the raccoon has moved from the chimney into the attic or wall voids. In those cases, the animal may need a structured exit plan and the home needs exclusion work after removal. A proper repair keeps the problem from coming back and protects the chimney, roof, and interior from repeated damage.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you get raccoons out of a chimney without harming them?

Use a one-way exit or have a wildlife remover take them out, then install a secure chimney cap. Do not smoke them out, poison them, or seal the flue while they are inside.

What is the best way to get rid of raccoons in a chimney?

The best way is humane removal followed by a metal chimney cap and roofline exclusion. Removal alone solves the immediate issue, but the cap prevents the next den site.

Can I light a fire to force raccoons out of the chimney?

No. A fire can injure the animals, trap them, or drive them into the home. It also creates a serious smoke and carbon monoxide hazard.

How do I keep raccoons out of chimney openings for good?

Install a heavy-duty chimney cap, repair the crown and flue liner, and keep branches away from the roof. Also secure trash and remove outdoor food sources so the area stops attracting raccoons.