Smart-*** Squirrel in my Chimney

[Wishydoo]

So, I wake up, and I hear some activity in the big tree just outside my bedroom window.

It's the "Family Squirrel".
I am sure this is the same exact squirrel that has been torturing my dog with a game of cat and mouse for the past 4 years, lol.

I watch as FS snaps off small leaf-loaded twigs from the tree and takes Highway Tree Limb to the roof of a small backroom next to my bedroom.

Oh great, I'm thinking he's building a nest there.

We go outside and observe that he is not stopping at the small roof...the one that would be reachable by ladder...but is going straight for the top.....3 stories up....to the chimney!

I saw him come back, grab more leaves, scoot up to the chimney, and disappear inside it for a moment.

When he came out, he must have seen us spying on him, and stayed perched atop the chimney...peering at us, with that innocent look on his face, as if to say.."Who me? I'm not building my winter home here, uh uh, no way".

Yeah right!

So now, I need help. This is not the fireplace chimney, but the big one that runs through the whole house.
In the basement there is a little door to look in, but there is nothing like leaves or anything inside that space down there.

DH thought it would be a good idea to turn on the heat, and gas the FS out.
I was thinking that since we don't know how much of a nest FS has built yet, or at what juncture in the chimney he is building, that plan might backfire and gas us out!

So when dh turned his back...I turned the heat off, lol.

First duty will be to chop down Highway Tree Limb, but my luck, we have a flying family squirrel here (FFS), lol. Heck, we have a trampoline in the back yard...this smart-*** FFS might even be able to bounce his way back up to the chimney for all I know!

Anyway, has anyone had a problem with squirrels messing around in your chimney?

How can we handle this?
I hope it doesn't involve hiring a crane operator, lol.

 

[Disney Ella]

We had squirrel problems until we had our chimneys capped. Dead squirrels in a chimney sure can smell! A chimney company can come out and clean out the nest, or you could do it if you know how. The chimney man told me that in addition to the nest starting a fire, the nest or a dead squirrel could block the furnace flue, causing carbon monoxide to circulate through the house.

 

[jfulcer]

But before you get the fireplace cleaned, get one of those humane traps where it's just a big cage and a trick door. Trap the little bugger and drop him off in a nature area 5+ miles away from your house. Then he's not your problem anymore.

We had a squirrel in our attic once - we'd hear the pitter patter of his little feet on occasion. I put a trap up there with peanut butter with a peanut stuck in it. It only took like 2 minutes for him to take the bait....

Here's pictures of the little bugger after we trapped him:

He was <i>not</i> happy to be in that trap...

 

[Wishydoo]

Thanks Disney Ella.
I was hoping it wouldn't come to that...hiring someone (shivers), lol.

But, the top of the chimney is 3 stories up. I really can't see dh or I hobbling our way up there to deal with this, hehe.

Boy, I am glad I turned the heat off too!

Okay now....I may already be in a gassed up stupor...

Someone PLEASE tell me I am seeing things, and I do NOT have a "SQUIRRELY" new tag!

ROTFLOL! Even after he is gone, FFS will live on! EGADS!!

 

[Wishydoo]

Thanks JFulcher.

Where would put the trap?

It doesn't look like he is coming all the way down the chimney, or even dropping things all the way down it.

Or, do you mean put the trap in the yard somewhere?

I seriously don't think that FFS's feet ever touch the ground.
The tree is huge...flying squirrel heaven.

Should we put the trap in the tree?

And what do we use as bait? Do they make squirrel treats? hehe

 

[Wishydoo]

Oh, I see now...they like Baby Ruth candy bars!!

 

[Wishydoo]

ewwwwwwww....I just saw the pic...lol.

So...how much does it cost to hire someone to do this??? LOLOLOL

 

[jfulcer]

Squirrels love peanuts. I'd put the trap on the ground, put some peanut butter (they can smell the peanuts a LOT better) on the trip lever in the trap and stick a bunch of peanuts on it. I can't imagine any squirrel being able to resist that.

And you don't need any skill to do this. $20 for the trap and you're set!

Good luck!

 

[Wishydoo]

Thanks for the great info Jfulcher.

I wasn't even thinking of the skill involved in the task you described.

I was thinking it involves *****
Which neither dh nor I possess when it comes to "wildlife".

LOL

 

[Kitty 34]

Nice pics, Jeff!!


Good luck, Lisa, with your squirrel. My Mom had a family of squirrels in her chimney but she's such a nature lover she just let them be!! Not sure whatever happened to them.....I'll have to go ask her!

 

[Wishydoo]

Hi Kitty

We are only nature lovers from afar....getting up close and personal isn't our deal, lol.

I described Jfulcher's solution to dh, and he grimaced and crinkled up his nose...much the same way FFS did when he was looking at us! hahaha