Animals and Your Chimney and Garbage Cans

Your Chimney

Install and maintain chimney caps before animals move into your chimney. If a den site has been established in a chimney, usually on the smoke shelf in the fireplace flue, use any of the techniques listed under Indoor Den Site. And when a fireplace is not in use make sure to always close the flue so that critters do not enter your house.

Very Important: Do not try to "smoke out" the animals. They can be overcome with smoke, and then you will be faced with physically removing a dead animal from your chimney.

Your Garbage Cans

The simplest solution to keep animals out of your garbage cans is to bring the cans inside where animals cannot reach them. If this is not possible, pour one cup of ammonia inside the garbage can, or sprinkle black pepper on the top bag inside the can. Another deterrent is to place rags soaked in ammonia on top of the lid and secure with bungee cords. Use the techniques for five to seven days or when putting garbage out for your weekly pickup.

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