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uk Home & property emergencies animal in chimney • bird stuck in chimney • fluttering in chimney • squeaking in chimney • scratching in chimney • wildlife in vent • animal in vent duct • bat in chimney • birds in flue • squirrel in chimney • nesting in chimney • chimney noise at night • chimney noises daytime • something stuck in flue • animal fell down chimney • vent cover rattling • flue blocked by nest • trapped wildlife in house • animal behind fireplace

What to do if…
you hear loud squeaking or fluttering from a chimney or vent and suspect trapped wildlife

Short answer

Stop using any fireplace/boiler/extractor that might connect to that chimney or vent, keep people and pets away from the opening, and get help from a chimney professional or wildlife rescue — especially if it could be bats.

Do not do these things

  • Don’t light a fire, run a stove/back-boiler, or try to “smoke it out” — this can injure/kill the animal and can create a blockage or fume risk.
  • Don’t block the chimney/vent outside “to stop it escaping” — you can trap it more firmly or block ventilation.
  • Don’t reach in bare-handed or try to grab it (bites/scratches; wildlife panics).
  • Don’t use poisons, glue traps, or improvised snares.
  • Don’t start building work, remove chimney pots/cowls, or seal gaps if there’s any chance it’s bats (they’re legally protected and you should get proper advice first).

What to do now

  1. Make the appliance safe (and take fumes seriously).
    • If the noise is near anything that burns fuel (open fire, wood burner, multi-fuel stove, gas fire, boiler flue), turn it off and don’t use it until the chimney/flue is confirmed clear.
    • If you smell gas or suspect carbon monoxide/fumes: open doors/windows if safe, get everyone into fresh air, and call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999 (24/7).
  2. Confine the problem area (calm + safety).
    • Keep children and pets out of the room.
    • Close internal doors so, if it comes into the room, it’s contained to one space.
  3. If a bird has come into the room from the chimney, use the “quiet exit” approach.
    • Open windows and any external doors in the room.
    • Pull curtains fully back so the bird can see the way out.
    • Leave the room and keep it quiet; monitor for up to about two hours to see if it escapes on its own.
  4. If it sounds like bats (light fluttering + rapid squeaks at dusk/dawn), switch to “bat-safe” actions.
    • Do not seal the chimney/vent or try to remove them yourself.
    • Get advice first via the National Bat Helpline (Bat Conservation Trust) on 0345 1300 228 before any exclusion, capping, or repairs.
  5. Arrange the right help for “stuck in chimney/vent” cases.
    • Call a chimney sweep/chimney professional to inspect the flue/duct safely and confirm it’s clear before you use the appliance again.
    • If you believe an animal is trapped and cannot get out (continued distress sounds for hours, weakening noises, or debris/feathers dropping into the fireplace), contact a wildlife rescue/animal welfare service for guidance on what’s feasible and humane in your setup.
  6. Capture details that help professionals act quickly (no ladders/roof access).
    • Note: time, where the sound is loudest (fireplace opening, behind a vent grille, loft, outside stack), and whether it’s fluttering vs scratching.
    • If safe, take a short audio/video from a distance.

What can wait

  • You don’t need to identify the exact species right now.
  • You don’t need to decide on repairs, capping, or long-term prevention until the animal is safely out and the flue/vent is confirmed clear.
  • You don’t need to climb onto the roof or dismantle vents in a panic.

Important reassurance

This is common, especially in nesting and colder months. Most harm happens when people try to “fix it fast” with fire, sealing, or handling — pausing and getting the right help is the safest move for you and the animal.

Scope note

This is first-steps guidance to stabilise the situation and avoid harmful actions. Removal methods and any building work can vary by species, building type, and legal protections (especially for bats and active nests).

Important note

This is general information, not a substitute for professional inspection, veterinary advice, or legal advice. If there’s any sign of gas leak or fumes, treat it as an emergency and use official emergency channels.

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