If you’re looking for a new use of your dryer vent, this article talked about how to keep birds from getting in. Damage to the dryer clothes and power lines is not just an annoyance but can be costly. Consider these tips before trying it yourself!
The “how to stop birds from nesting in dryer vent” is a common problem. Birds will often fly into the dryer vent and nest, which can cause serious damage to your home. Luckily, there are many ways to prevent this from happening.
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It’s vital to maintain your dryer vent clear of lint and other obstructions. If hot air cannot escape via the exhaust vent, it will overheat and may cause a fire! Birds make nests in dryer vents in the spring because they require a secure, dry area to rear their young.
Seal the outer entrance with galvanized wire mesh or hardware cloth to prevent birds from nesting in your dryer vent. Commercial vent covers are also available, some of which are designed expressly for dryer vents. Birds will not be kept out by window screening or plastic netting.
Birds nesting in your dryer vent create a variety of issues, including slower drying times, mildew caused by the vent obstruction, and a spray of bird feces against your wall.
Calling in a professional to remove birds from a vent is the only humane method to do it. Preventing a duct full of young birds is significantly easier than dealing with one!
What Caused a Bird to Climb into My Dryer Vent?
Birds are looking for a warm, protected place to nest and deposit their eggs in the spring. Sparrows and starlings are cavity-nesting animals, which means that the vents on our stoves, bathrooms, and laundry dryers are ideal places for them to make their nests.
Dryer vents are set back from the ground at a safe distance. Birds pick these nesting sites because they are safe from predators such as raccoons, cats, and other animals. The vents are warm and dry, making them perfect for nesting.
Three flaps normally cover the opening in dryer vents. The flaps of your dryer open when you turn it on, allowing warm air to escape. When the dryer is switched off, they shut again.
Plastic is often used for these flaps. They normally break after 5 to 7 years of exposure to rain, wind, UV radiation, heat, and cold. Birds will soon move in if they see a chance for a nice nesting area.
You can start to hear chirping or screaming coming from your dryer vent. The hole may possibly have some twigs or grass protruding from it. Birds have begun nesting in your dryer vent if you see these indicators.
The Importance of Maintaining a Clear Dryer Vent
A clogged dryer vent is no laughing matter. Because collected lint in the vent might catch fire if hot air cannot leave, a blockage can represent a serious fire danger. According to the National Fire Protection Association, clothes dryers cause around 16 000 fires each year.
There are numerous more reasons why keeping your dryer vent free is critical:
- Reduce the amount of money you spend on power. The efficiency of your clothes dryer will be reduced if the vent is clogged with nesting material, lint, or other debris. Your garments will take longer to dry, and the machine will consume up to 30% more energy!
- Prevent the growth of mold in the dryer vent. Condensation forms within the cavity when the vent becomes obstructed. Mold grows as a result of the warmth from the dryer and the moisture. Because the air in the dryer vent circulates, the mold will spread to your clothes, linens, and towels, this is unsanitary and detrimental to your health.
- Birds, mice, and other animals cannot enter your vent if it is clogged with lint. Critters will be attracted to a clogged dryer vent if it is clogged with lint and dirt.
Birds Nesting in Dryer Vents Can Be Dangerous
It’s critical to solve the issue as soon as you see birds developing a nest in your dryer vent. It just takes a couple of starlings 1 to 3 days to create a nest!
You could feel terrible for the birds and decide to wait until the kids have flown the nest before removing it. Do not postpone! Birds in your dryer vent might create the following problems:
- A parasitic infection, such as mites or lice. Birds carry a variety of parasites that may make their way into your dryer and onto your clothes.
- Pathogens that cause illness in humans are often carried by birds. These viruses may be passed from one person to the next via the dryer vent.
- Birds perish when they are forced or pulled into the vent. The stench of the deceased bird will linger in your clothes.
Birds in Dryer Vents: How to Keep Them Out
There are two methods to protect oneself against the aforementioned evils. You may create your own vent guard or purchase one. Both of these alternatives are inexpensive and necessary for keeping a clean dryer vent.
- Hardware cloth or galvanized wire mesh may be used to seal the external duct.
- A vent protector should be purchased and installed. These are particularly intended to keep birds and other animals out of dryer vents while still allowing air to flow out.
Whatever you use to keep birds out of the dryer vent needs to be removable so you can clean it. It is normally suggested that your dryer vent be inspected and cleaned once a year.
Avoid covering the vent with window screening or plastic mesh, since they aren’t strong enough to keep birds out. These materials will be readily pecked through by determined starlings.
Getting Rid of a Birds Nest in a Dryer Vent
If you see twigs or grass poking out of the dryer vent, as well as the tell-tale fan of bird poo below the duct, you most likely have a bird nest to remove.
Act immediately if you discover evidence of birds in the vent. When the nest is vacant, it is better to remove it before the birds have placed their eggs. The greatest time is during the day, when most birds are away from their nests looking for food.
Because germs and parasites may live in bird’s nests, you should never reach in and take the nest with your bare hands. Remove the nest, lint, and any other debris using rubber gloves or a vent cleaning tool.
Unfortunately, this procedure does not ensure that all of the nesting material will be removed. Birds may go pretty deep into the dryer vent, thus accessing the duct’s entrance may require going into the attic.
If all of this seems like too much for you, you could just hire a professional removal service. If the birds have already placed their eggs, you should seek professional assistance immediately.
It Is Illegal to Disturb Certain Bird Species
It is crucial to highlight that many birds, particularly migratory species, are protected by law because they are endangered. Capturing, disturbing, or killing certain kinds of birds is prohibited in various nations.
The Migratory Bird Treaty has been signed by the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Russia. This statute protects birds that are native to the United States. If you disturb a protected species’ nest, you might face a six-month prison sentence or a fine of $15,000.
The house sparrow (Passer domesticus) and the European starling (Sturnus vulgaris), the most renowned offenders when it comes to nesting in dryer vents, are thankfully excluded from these regulations since they are not native to the United States.
If you don’t have enough confidence in your bird identification abilities to identify a starling from a blue jay and don’t want to go through the hassle of obtaining for a permit, it’s usually best to hire a professional.
They have the expertise, equipment, and abilities needed to rapidly and gently remove birds from dryer vents.
Invest in a bird deterrent by purchasing a vent guard.
If you have easy access to the interior and outside of the wall where the dryer vent is placed, prefabricated vent shields available online or at the hardware store are extremely simple to install.
When purchasing a dryer vent protector, do not be intimidated. All dryer ducts are the same size – 4 inches wide – and most vent guards come with a 4 inch wide piece of galvanized steel tubing.
Metal dryer vent covers are ideal for outdoor use. Mesh grate models work well, but you should be mindful that they collect a lot of lint. As a result, they need more regular cleaning.
How to Install a Bird-Proof Dryer Vent Guard
After you’ve removed the birds’ nest, it’s time to put your new outdoor dryer vent guard in place. This will prevent birds, mice, and insects from nesting in your dryer vent.
To install or replace your dryer vent guard, follow these easy steps:
- The dryer duct is separated from the vent guard pipe on the interior of the wall where the vent is placed. Pull them apart by undoing the screws or removing the duct tape.
- Now go to the wall’s outside. If you’re repairing an existing vent guard, you may use caulk to seal it. Remove all of the caulk around the vent guard using a utility knife.
- Remove the old vent guard from the wall by unscrewing it and pulling it out.
- Check to see that there is adequate air flowing through the dryer vent before installing the new vent protector. Turn on the dryer and check for a wind coming from the vent. If you don’t get any airflow, your dryer vent is probably blocked and has to be cleaned by a professional.
- If the vent is functional, run the pipe from the new vent guard through the wall and screw the vent guard to the wall’s outside.
- Seal any gaps around the vent guard with paintable silicone caulk.
- Connect the dryer duct to the vent guard pipe on the inner side of the wall. They fit together perfectly and may be secured with screws or duct tape.
Install Migratory Bird Nesting Boxes
In metropolitan areas, many migratory birds, such as sparrows and starlings, as well as local species, such as bluebirds, dwell. Cavity-nesting species need urban habitat in which to make their nests.
Set up some nest boxes for these birds to use as an alternative to the trees. You may purchase pre-made nest boxes or make your own to attract certain species.
Install the nest boxes high off the ground, away from your home, in a covered location. Native animals prefer to be at least 300 feet away from human settlements, yet sparrows and starlings seem at ease in our neighborhoods.
Last Thoughts
In the spring, cavity-nesting birds such as sparrows and starlings search for secure, dry areas to build their nests. They often take up home in our dryer vents in cities because they are warm and out of reach of predators.
Birds nesting in your dryer vent may cause a number of issues:
- The dryer duct will get clogged with nesting material, lint, and debris. A fire may start if hot air cannot escape via the vent.
- Parasites and diseases carried by birds may be transmitted to humans via the dryer vent.
- If birds get trapped in the duct and die, the stink will contaminate all of the garments you put in the dryer.
- Birds’ nests obstruct the dryer duct, resulting in internal condensation. Mold and germs thrive in the presence of warm air, moisture, bird excrement, twigs, and straw.
- The efficiency of your dryer will be reduced if your dryer vent is blocked. It will take longer for your clothing to dry, and the machine will consume 30% more power.
Install an outside dryer vent guard or cover to prevent birds from nesting in your dryer vent. These may be found at most hardware and gardening supply shops. They are inexpensive and simple to set up.
You may also use hardware cloth or galvanized wire mesh to seal the outside of your dryer vent. Make sure you can easily clean the vent cover. Once a year, you should examine and clean your dryer vent.
If birds have already built a nest in your dryer vent, the best course of action is to have the nest and the birds removed by a professional. Some birds are legally protected and it is prohibited to harm them.
An professional can identify the bird, remove it in a humane manner, and seal your dryer vent to prevent it from happening again.
The “how to clean dryer duct” is a blog article that explains how to keep birds out of your dryer vent. You will need to clean the duct in order to stop birds from nesting and causing damage.
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