Minnetonka homeowners can stop chimney critters by installing a custom stainless-steel cap, scheduling a Level 2 inspection before fall, and sealing gaps with a chimney chase cover. If animals are already inside, a licensed sweep removes nests and installs exclusion barriers to keep them out for good.
A chimney chase cover is your first line of defense against Minnetonka’s most common invaders
A chimney chase cover is the metal top that sits over the chase (the boxed enclosure around prefabricated chimneys). In Minnetonka, where spring storms roll in off Lake Minnetonka and summer humidity lingers, a poorly fitted chase cover rusts fast and leaves gaps raccoons can pry open. We see it every year: a homeowner in the Willows neighborhood installs a cheap plastic cap, and by July a family of squirrels has moved into the flue. A stainless-steel chase cover with a 3/8-inch mesh screen blocks entry points and resists corrosion from our lake-effect salt air. If your cover is dented or missing, replace it before you light your first fire—critters don’t wait for winter. Chimney Sweep in Minnetonka crews can source and install a custom cover same-day if needed.
Most Minnetonka homeowners get this wrong: they wait until they hear scratching to act
By the time you hear scrabbling in your chimney, you’ve already got a nest. In Eden Prairie and Minnetonka, gray squirrels and raccoons move in during March–April and again in late summer, using chimneys as high-rise nurseries. The myth is that animals leave when you stop using the fireplace. They don’t—they’ll stay until the young are grown, then chew their way back out through your flue liner. The Chimney Safety Institute of America recommends a Level 2 inspection before every heating season; in our area that means late summer or early fall. A proper inspection uses a camera to check for nesting material, droppings, and chewed flue tiles—evidence you can’t spot from the roofline. If we find evidence, we schedule animal removal Minnetonka homeowners trust before the critters multiply. See our full list of services.
Stainless-steel chimney caps cost less than one raccoon removal—and they last decades
A top-mounted stainless-steel chimney cap with 3/8-inch mesh costs between $180 and $320 installed in Minnetonka, depending on flue size and pitch. That’s cheaper than a single raccoon removal ($275–$450) and far cheaper than repairing a chewed liner ($600–$1,800). We install caps with a 20-year warranty against rust and animal entry. In Hopkins and St. Louis Park we see caps fail when homeowners choose aluminum or vinyl models; they crack in our freeze–thaw cycles and leave gaps. Ask your sweep for a cap with a solid top—not a spark arrestor screen—so birds can’t build nests on top and block the flue. Compare DIY vs. professional chimney cleaning before you climb on the roof yourself.
What most Minnetonka homeowners don’t know about chimney chase covers vs. crowns
A chimney crown is the concrete or stone top that sits directly on the masonry; a chase cover sits on top of a prefab chase. In older Eden Prairie homes with masonry chimneys, a cracked crown lets water seep in, rusts the chase cover underneath, and creates entry points for chipmunks. In newer Minnetonka subdivisions with factory-built systems, the chase cover is your only defense. We recommend sealing every crown with a waterproofing membrane rated for Minnesota winters. The National Fire Protection Association’s NFPA 211 code requires a functioning chimney cap; a crown without a cap is still a code violation. If your crown is crumbling, budget $800–$1,500 for a rebuild—cheaper than a full rebuild after animal damage.
Animal removal Minnetonka pros don’t just evict critters—they keep them out for good
When we remove animals from a chimney in Minnetonka, we start with a Level 2 inspection to map nesting locations and check for droppings that can corrode the liner. Next, we install a one-way exclusion device (a mesh door that lets animals leave but not return) and remove all nesting material and guano. Finally, we fit a stainless-steel cap and seal gaps with high-temperature silicone. We document the work with photos and provide a warranty against re-entry for one year. Homeowners in the Flying Cloud neighborhood often ask if they can just light a fire to scare the animals out; that’s dangerous and ineffective—the animals will panic and may block the flue entirely. Call a licensed sweep instead. Request a free estimate before fall so we can schedule before the critters return.
Fall is the worst time to discover a chimney animal problem in Minnetonka
Minnetonka’s heating season starts in October, and raccoons and squirrels are still active until late November. If you haven’t had your chimney inspected, you risk a blocked flue during the first cold snap. A blocked flue can push carbon monoxide back into your home—an invisible killer. The Chimney Safety Institute of America recommends a Level 2 inspection annually; in our climate that means late August or September. We’ve seen homeowners in the Minnetonka Mills district wait until December, then face emergency animal removal and flue repairs when the first snow arrives. Don’t gamble with your family’s safety—schedule your inspection now. Chimney inspection in Eden Prairie covers what to expect during a professional sweep.
| Season | Action | Cost | When to Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Late Winter (Feb–Mar) | Level 2 inspection for winter damage and early nesting signs | $125–$225 | Before March 15 |
| Early Spring (Apr–May) | Install stainless-steel cap and chase cover if missing or damaged | $180–$320 | April |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | Seal gaps with high-temp silicone; schedule pre-fall inspection | $50–$150 (DIY sealant) or $125–$225 (pro inspection) | August |
| Fall (Sep–Oct) | Remove any summer nests; install exclusion devices if needed | $275–$450 (removal) or $180–$320 (cap install) | September |
| Winter (Nov–Jan) | Monitor for new scratching; avoid DIY removal attempts | N/A | Call pro immediately if heard |
Frequently Asked Questions
My chimney in Minnetonka smells like ammonia every spring. Why does this happen and how do I stop it?
That ammonia smell is dried raccoon urine from last year’s nesting season. The only permanent fix is to remove the nesting material and install a stainless-steel cap with a 3/8-inch mesh screen. A professional sweep will also sanitize the flue with a specialized brush and HEPA vacuum to remove residual odors.
Why does my Minnetonka chimney cap keep filling with leaves even though I have a screen?
Most prefab caps in Minnetonka subdivisions have horizontal mesh that clogs with maple samaras in June. Install a vertical-style cap with a solid top and side entry; it sheds leaves and still blocks animals. We see this issue every fall in the Caragana neighborhood—cheap caps fail within one season.
I live near Lake Minnetonka and my chase cover rusted out in two years. What should I replace it with?
Replace it with a 26-gauge 304 stainless-steel chase cover with a lifetime warranty against rust. Aluminum and vinyl fail quickly in our lake-effect salt air. We install custom covers same-day in Minnetonka and back them with a 20-year no-leak guarantee.
Can I use mothballs or predator urine to keep animals out of my Minnetonka chimney?
No. Mothballs contain naphthalene, which is toxic and illegal to use in open chimneys. Predator urine is ineffective and can attract curious pets. The only proven deterrent is a properly fitted stainless-steel cap and annual inspections. The EPA’s Burn Wise program warns against using chemicals in chimneys due to health risks.