Yes, a properly installed chimney cap with appropriate screening will keep birds, squirrels, raccoons, and bats out of your chimney. The mesh size matters – we use screening that’s fine enough to exclude animals but won’t clog with debris during storms. If animals are already in your chimney, we need to remove them first before installing the cap. We can handle this safely and humanely, then install the cap to prevent future intrusions. Some homeowners try to solve animal problems with hardware store caps, but these often fail because they’re not sized correctly or don’t seal properly around the flue. Professional installation ensures the cap actually works as intended.