Properly installed chimney caps with appropriate mesh sizing effectively prevent squirrels, birds, raccoons, and other wildlife from entering your chimney. The key is using the right mesh—small enough to exclude animals, large enough for proper ventilation.
We see animal intrusion frequently in Sagaponack because wooded areas provide plenty of wildlife looking for nesting spots. Once animals get in, they bring nesting materials that create fire hazards and ventilation problems.
A quality cap with stainless steel mesh solves the problem permanently. It’s much cheaper than dealing with animal removal, cleaning, and repairing damage after the fact.