How resistant are Chimney Balloons to squirrel, raccoon, opossums and larger vermin.

How resistant are Chimney Balloons to squirrel, raccoon, opossums and larger vermin.

Chimney Balloons to squirrel, raccoon, opossums and larger vermin.

Q: Jason, A couple of times in the last few years we’ve had flying squirrels come down the chimney.

How resistant are the Chimney Balloons to the claws of little critters such as this? (I would put a screen on top of the chimney but I’d have to rent a lift to do so. Tall house, taller chimney, steep roof…) Thanks, – ADH

A: Dear ADH, Have you got a friend with a bucket truck or cherry picker? No?, neither do I, but I wish I did many times.

Chimney Balloons hold up well keeping out birds, bats, insects, and wasps, but they fall short when it comes to raccoons, squirrels, mice, and opossums.

If the critter has teeth and claws, you are going to need a wire mesh cap on the chimney and I would spend the extra to get a stainless one so you don’t have to replace it soon. Don’t risk your neck on your steep roof, call a chimney sweep to put the cap on for you. And if it is opossums or raccoons you are trying to keep out of your chimney make sure you anchor it VERY well. Those critters have the strength of a Gorilla when it comes to removing chimney caps! – Jason