UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Springtime is nesting time for many species of wildlife, and an expert in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences says a simple addition to your home can keep those inquisitive creatures outside where they belong.

Chimneys can attract animals in search of a nesting place, says Gary San Julian, professor of wildlife resources and extension wildlife specialist in the School of Forest Resources. Spring nesting season is just one of several reasons for animals to consider your home as their next cave or hollow tree.

"At this time of the year and throughout the year, we find bats, chimney swifts, raccoons and squirrels getting into our chimneys," San Julian says. "They can cause extensive damage. Recently, a raccoon had her babies in the firebox of a chimney of a local home. Since the babies couldn't be reached from the top of the chimney, a hole had to be torn through the firewall. The owners will have to replace all the brickwork in their fireplace.

"In addition, the female raccoon shredded a huge area of roof shingles down to the wood, trying to get back to her babies," he notes. "It's probably going to cost this homeowner well over a thousand dollars to repair damage that could have been prevented by a $50 chimney cap."

San Julian says caps, which are wire mesh devices that can be installed by chimney cleaners, also keep large pieces of debris from escaping the chimney when the fireplace is in use.

"It's a very cheap insurance policy when you consider the damage animals can do," San Julian says. "It's also good for them. You won't have animals getting in there and possibly dying, causing odors and health hazards. You won't have to have your chimney cleaned of fecal matter and nesting materials."

San Julian points out that chimney construction -- with smooth interior sleeves made of metal or terra cotta -- makes it easy for baby animals to get trapped. Also, chimney swifts and other birds may build nests that can ignite, causing chimney fires.

Though spring brings extra attention to nesting-animal problems, San Julian says there's no special time for installing a chimney cap: as soon as you're sure there are no animals in your chimney, have the cap put on. Wild-animal entries can take place at any time.

"In some places, I'd like to see this as a building code addition," San Julian says. "I've seen cases of animals entering homes through the chimney and devastating the living space trying to get back out. I've even found a wood duck inside a firebox. Any chimney that's open to the outside should have a cap on it -- whether you're using the fireplace or not. It's always important to close any exterior opening to your home."

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EDITORS: Contact Gary San Julian at 814-863-0401.

Contacts:

Gary Abdullah gxa2@psu.edu 814-863-2708 814-865-1068 fax