Table of Contents
Introduction:
Birds’ chirping in the morning is a joy and their sounds can make you jovial. However, birds build nests in odd places such as light fixtures, chimneys, and dryer vents. They nest in such areas temporarily as they such for a safe place to raise their young ones. If birds build a nest in your dryer vent, many issues can come up.
If birds have built a nest in your dryer vent, this can become a real hazard. The vent can clog. A bird’s nest can also cause fire, and also parasites and bacteria can enter your home, causing severe illness to your family members. Birds are also disease carriers and it can be dangerous for your health and that of your loved ones. It is essential to get rid of birds that have nested in your dryer vent for the safety and health of your family members.
Since you still want to use your dryer for drying your clothes, birds in a vent need to go, and the sooner the better. If you do not get rid of the birds early enough, the nest will prevent hot air from venting outside the house. The buildup of hot air is what brings about the bird nest in dryer vent fire hazard.
How a bird’s nest in the dryer vent can cause a fire
When the dryer vent experiences lint clogs, it runs less efficiently and this can cause it to fail. Birds’ nesting causes blockage of airflow and the moisture droplets get condensed in the exhaust of the dryer leading to water leaks. When all this clogging happens in the dryer vent, it can cause a fire in a home. To avoid the chance of a fire occurring in your home because of a blocked vent, you take proper precautions and measures to remove the nests. Also, you need to perform frequent inspections to avoid clogging of the dryer vent that can cause the dryer vent to overheat.
Baby birds in the dryer vent
When you notice that there are bird nests in your dryer vent, take action to remove them immediately because the vents can become blocked and they will not function properly. A good time to get rid of birds from vents is before they lay eggs. When you find a nest with no eggs, it is crucial to remove it and all nesting materials promptly so that the birds cannot come back to your vent. They can look for a new home somewhere else. It is also essential to get rid of all lint that may have built up in your vent.
Do this carefully because nests have debris and dust and you do not want it dropping in your home. If any live baby birds are in your dryer vent, it is good to let them grow before evicting them. Check your vent daily when there are baby birds to know when the birds are all grown and will no longer require to be inside the vent then you can remove the nest.
As you wait for the young birds to grow up, you can temporarily disconnect the dryer exhaust tube from the vent so that the heat does not burn up the baby birds. The birds and their babies usually take two to three weeks and they are gone.
Once the birds are gone, clean your dryer vent thoroughly. You can use a long wire to push the nest and all other bird debris out of the dryer vent. Vacuum all the junk out of the dryer vent. As soon as you are done vacuuming, throw away the bag. Put it in a plastic bag and tie it tightly to prevent debris from falling out as it can be dangerous for your health and place it in the outside trash bin. Disinfect the vent to ensure all mites from the birds die so that they do not change residence and come into your house
How do I keep birds out of my dryer vent?
Before you start bird proofing your dryer vent, ensure you know the type of bird proofing you want. The two main bird proofing measures for dryer vents are;
1. Dryer vent bird guard
If you opt to use this one, buy a vent guard that fits the size of your vent. A dryer vent guard works well in keeping birds, small animals, and insects from entering your vents. It is easy to install, weather-resistant, and durable dryer vent guards.
A dryer vent bird guard can keep birds from nesting in your exterior dryer vent. However, you need to know which kind of vent protection is suitable for your needs. The following are great examples of vent guards.
Vent covers
Vent covers are readily available online, and they come in many different sizes. They are also easy to install.
Closure system
This one is more advantageous to use than a vent cover because it keeps cold air from entering a house during winter. This can help you save energy. However, a closure system is costlier. It has a cup that seals the vent entirely when the dryer is operating.
Grate vent
- A grated vent has three merits. They include:
- Preventing birds or pests from getting into the vent
- Allowing the air to flow effortlessly from the dryer
- Preventing lint from accumulating in the vent
2. Dryer vent closure systems
Choosing this kind of bird proofing measure is more energy efficient but slightly expensive. It ensures that air from outside does not enter your home. It comprises a cup that encloses the opening of the vent when the dryer vent is not turned on.
Birds Nest In Dryer Vent: FAQ’s
Q: Why do birds nest in dryer vents?
Birds like to make their homes in comfortable, warm places, especially when they are raising baby birds. Unfortunately, one spot that birds find it suitable to make their home is in dryer vents. Dryer vents are warm, dry, and are protected from predators. Vents also offer fluff for nesting items. Thus, birds opt to build their nests in vents.
Q: How can I keep birds out of my dryer vent?
Go outside and search for a hole in the side of the property, close to the ground. The hole might have a plastic or metal hood over it. This is the exit vent of your dryer. When the dryer is running, and you stick your hand over the exit vent, you will feel moist, warm air coming from it. If you do not feel anything or just a little air, it is probably clogged.
If the birds have built a nest, bird droppings surrounding the vent will be the first clue. Another sign might be bits of grass, straw and other debris close to the hole. Shine a flashlight into the hole to see if there is a nest.
You can remove a nest easily if you stick a pair of lengthy barbecue tongs into the hole and grab it. If you remove the nest gently, you can pull it out intact and place it in another location.
You can also remove sticks, twigs, leaves, and all parts of the nest by hand. Using a long wire, get rid of the debris and twigs that are stuck in the slats. Remove anything that is causing the blockage in the vent. Make sure you wear a mask and gloves as you remove the nest to prevent contamination from the bacteria that may be in it.
Once you are done, use a mixture of water and disinfectant to spray the vent and allow it to dry completely before you use your dryer. If you cannot see a nest, but you are still suspicious that you vent is clogged, hire an expert vent cleaning service. You might even have a clog farther inside the vent that is difficult to see.
Q: When a bird’s nest is disturbed, what happens?
If you tamper or destroy a bird’s nest, the adult birds abandon this site. If you want to get rid of birds easily, disturb their nesting area, and they will leave this site and look for a new home.
Q: How do I get a dead bird out of the dryer vent?
A dead bird can cause odor, and it should be removed immediately you notice it. Clean out the entire dryer vent starting from the back of the dryer to the outside vent so that you can get rid of all the debris and odor left by the dead bird.
Q: How can I know that birds have nested in my dryer vent?
You can know that birds have nested in your dryer vent when you notice that your clothes are taking too long to dry, if there is a burning smell coming from the dryer, or if debris and lint build up around the outside dryer vent.
Q: Can a bird get stuck in a dryer vent?
Since vents are usually off the ground away from predators, they are still dangerous for birds as they can fall into the exhaust pipe of the vent. Young birds and adult birds can fall into the vent and are unable to escape leaving them stuck in the vent.
Q: How do you find a dead bird in my dryer vent?
When you start smelling foul odor in your laundry room, remove the vents and air grates with a screwdriver. You can find the carcass of the dead bird easily because you can view the vent easily.
Conclusion
Birds are lovely when they are flying up and about. You might be a lover of birds and think it is alright to have them nesting in your home, but nest removal is essential. Many birds that nest in dryer vents build nests with grass, leaves, and twigs and they can become a fire hazard. Nests block airflow trapping heat, and this is what causes fire from all the overheating, and the dry twigs and grass become an ignition of the fire, causing it to spread quickly, and this can be very dangerous as it can cause your whole house to burn down.
When you first notice a nest, you should get rid of it immediately. You can seek professional help in getting rid of the nests. Disturbing a bird’s nest can cause dust, bird droppings, and debris that are airborne to be released into the air causing respiratory diseases. Bird droppings released into the air can be a health hazard because if inhaled, they can cause severe lung disease. Bird droppings also cause staining on the walls, ceilings as well as causing your house to have a foul odor.
Birds have tiny mites on them, and when they leave their nests, the mites migrate into your home. Bird mites cause discomfort and skin irritation when they bite you. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that you have removed any bird nests in your dryer vents to avoid any mishaps that can happen to your home. You can hire professionals who can remove the nests efficiently. After removing the nests, the professionals can clean the dryer vent thoroughly to get rid of all the lint and debris the birds had brought in.