How to Keep Rodents Out of Your Fireplace and Home

Have you ever had rats or mice that you didn’t own inside your house? It’s a pretty unnerving sight to see a rodent scampering across the floor and disappearing into a closet or under a couch. If you live in an area that has its share of rodents roaming around outside, we’ve got a few tips you can use to keep them outside where they belong.

First, you have to determine where the animals are getting into the house. Fireplaces often provide a perfect route. Rats, mice, squirrels and other small critters like coming indoors to get out of bad weather and find something to eat, and it’s logical for them to use a chimney and fireplace as an entry way.

Here’s how to stop it

The easiest solution is often the best. In this case, the easiest solution is to install a quality chimney cap on top of your chimney. As soon as the cap is in place, the days of varmints getting into the chimney opening are over.

But what if you already have a cap and rodents are still dropping into the firebox like miniature Santas? It’s possible there’s a compromise in your chimney’s building materials. Brick and mortar may have deteriorated in a section, leaving a gap big enough for a little animal to squeeze through. If this has happened, repairing the hole will solve the problem.

Additionally, it’s a good idea to develop the habit of always closing your fireplace damper when a fire isn’t going. The damper, like all components of your fireplace and chimney, should be inspected regularly to make sure everything is working like it should. If your damper won’t close completely, it’s time to repair or replace it.

As a final precaution, keep your glass fireplace doors tightly shut when you’re not using the fireplace. If you don’t have doors, buy a set. They protect against infiltrating pests, plus they look great.

The larger problems with rodents and other small animals

It’s bad enough having these creatures running around your home. But it’s a lot worse having them set up shop in your chimney, where they build nests, have babies and, as is the case with many, die in there.

Any foreign objects will create an air-flow obstruction in a chimney. The obstruction can be large enough that it begins sending smoke and dangerous carbon monoxide down into the home during a fire. Carbon monoxide is invisible and odorless, and it can kill people and pets.

Another problem with obstructions caused by animals and their byproducts is more fuel exists to intensify a chimney fire. Flammable creosote, which is produced by burning wood, needs to be regularly cleaned out of your chimney. Excess creosote coupled with nests and animal carcasses is a recipe for disaster.

exterminator. But if your problem is the occasional rat that’s using your chimney as an elevator to food and warmth, these tips here should solve it.

If you have a serious rodent infestation and they’re not coming in through your chimney, you should hire an

Burlington Fireplace & Solar of Wisconsin wants all homeowners to safely enjoy their fireplaces. That’s why we offer a complete schedule of chimney cleaning, inspection and repair services. If it’s time to have your chimney looked at, call us at (262) 763-3522. Or stop in and see us at 857 Milwaukee Ave. in Burlington.