How do you deal with a squirrely tenant?

May 9, 2009 6:39 AM

How do I coax a squirrel out of my fireplace flue? I think he likes it in there.

A sqirrel has fallen down the fireplace flue. I've taken off the glass cover of the fireplace, opened all the doors, and left him alone in the room for hours. In the past couple of instances, this has always resulted in the little guy becoming emboldened after about an hour, tentatively inching out of the flue and onto the top of the firebox, then making a sudden break out of the fireplace and straight out the nearby open door.

This guy is different. No matter how long we leave him alone, he just sits in there. Sometimes he makes a few dove-like squirrel sounds, and sometimes he shifts positions, but he ain't leavin'. He isn't hurt, as I can clearly see to confirm there's no blood or other sign of injury, and when we approach he can climb a few inches up the flue by grasping a seam, so I know he hasn't got a leg stuck.

Here's the geometry: it's a gas fireplace insert, with about a two inch space between the top of the firebox and the bottom of the flue. The flue opening is covered by a grate, upon which our little guest is sitting. The grate is a flexible, slotted metal affair, welded on at the back and attached at the front with two sheet metal screws. I've removed the screws, bent the grate down at the front, and wedged a piece of scrap lumber in there to hold it open. So, imagine a squirrel in an inverted, one-gallon paint can, with the lid hinged on one side and open about two inches on the other side. And he just sits on the open lid, refusing to come out.

I know the opening is big enough, because I can see his whole head. He's not full grown, perhaps a yearling gray sqirrel about eight inches long with an eight inch tail. I've placed some peanuts and dry dog food a few inches from the opening, but he doesn't seem hungry enough yet.

Have you ever dealt with this before? What are your ideas about coaxing, or forcing, him out? I should add that I'm unwilling to hurt or destroy the little guy until such time as it appears to be the only humane option to prevent a slow death from starvation and/or dehydration. It appears that could be days off.

posted by dinger to home & garden (9 comments total)

I am thinking about this. You must be sure to listen to this before you do anything.
posted by Clyde Mnestra at 7:29 AM on May 9

A very, very small fire, enough to make some smoke?

Animals are good at running like hell from smoke.
posted by rokusan at 7:31 AM on May 9

Put food down there? A trail of peanuts leading out the door?
posted by amanda at 7:59 AM on May 9

Update: doing my hourly check I saw from a distnace that the food gone, so snuck over to take a closer look. He's out of the flue, on top of the firebox. I took the opportunity to yank the lumber out of the flue cover, which sprang back into place, cutting off that avenue of refuge.

He's now hiding at the back of the firebox, perilously close to the small gap between the back of the steel firebox and the back wall of the fireplace. I was right about his size, possibly over-estimating. He appears to be only about six inces long, with a five inch tail.

Rokusan: the small fire is something I'd considered, and may still resort to. It would have to be the heat that drove him out, as it's a very clean-burning gas insert which produces no smoke. With the glass front removed it's well ventilated so I'm not worried about CO. First, however, I think I'll try try the incremental approach, placing a couple more kibble pellets on the floor near the door, along with a little water.

Clyde M: I'm going to listen to the clip first chance I get; I always love a good "tiny animal wreaks havoc" story. I'm sure that if I can coax this little rascal out of the fireplace, hilarity may well ensue. If I get that far, I'm counting on Sandy Sue, the Wonder Terrier, to make things unhospitable for said rodent. The potential for disaster, however, is real.
posted by dinger at 8:06 AM on May 9

Just a small rolled up burning newspaper making lots of smoke will move it.
posted by Taurid at 8:16 AM on May 9

Retreat is cut off? Put some gloves on and advance on him. Before he lets you grab him, he'll be out the open door like a shot.
posted by bricoleur at 8:43 AM on May 9

Success! Bricoleur, we actually used a variation of your idea. Using a length of garden hose as a "snake", we got him out from behind the flap, then used a length of 1x2 to confine him to an ever-smaller portion of the space. As I tried to force him into a box, he grabbed the 1x2 with all four paws and held on for dear life, desperately trying to avoid that box. I was able to slowly walk to the door with my squirrel-on-a-stick, and release him into the yard, where he promply huddled against the bricks, making pitiful little baby squirrel distress calls. Right on cue, momma squirrel came racing down the chimney to the rescue.

Sandy Sue the Wonder Terrier did her part. Closed up in her kennel, and aware that rolicking family fun was happening without her, she yelped, whimpered, cried…and threw up.

Stay tuned for our next exciting episode: "New Chimney Caps".
posted by dinger at 9:08 AM on May 9 [9 favorites]

I once had "squirrel-on-a-stick," in Appalachia. Next time would take care to husk and de-silk first.

I am so glad you prevailed without resorting to fire; that episode of Squirrel Cop is a cautionary ta[il] on that front.
posted by Clyde Mnestra at 9:33 AM on May 9

Be sure and have a fire in the fireplace before putting your caps on. That way if you have a nest you will smoke them out so you don't trap them in. It will also let you know if the littler charmers have blocked your chimney.
posted by srboisvert at 10:18 AM on May 9