Toronto Chimney Repair · October 4, 2026
Why Toronto chimneys attract raccoons
Toronto has one of the densest urban raccoon populations anywhere, and an uncapped flue is a dry, warm, safe den. Mothers look for one in late winter and early spring to raise their kits, which is why most chimney raccoon calls come between March and June.
What not to do
Don't light a fire or burn anything to smoke them out — it can trap and kill the young and the smoke can come into the house. Don't seal the top while an animal is inside. And don't put your hand up the flue; a mother protecting kits will bite.
- Keep the damper and fireplace doors closed
- Keep pets away from the fireplace
- Note the sounds — chirping usually means babies
Who removes it
Removing wildlife is a job for a licensed wildlife control company. Ontario has rules about how and where captured animals can be released, and the good companies use one-way doors or reunite the mother with her kits outside so the family leaves together.
Stopping it happening again
After the animals are out, the nesting material in the flue and on the smoke shelf has to come out — it is a fire hazard. Then the flue gets a cap with a screen. A standard stainless single-flue cap is $529 plus HST installed; custom caps for chimneys with several flues are usually $1,200 to $1,800.
