14 May How To Remove and Prevent Birds From Getting in Dryer Vents

There is nothing more calming than the sound of chirping, crooning birds on a warm spring day. However, that sound can quickly change from calming to alarming when you realize it is coming from your dryer vent. Your dryer vent is an appealing nesting place for these feathery critters because it is enclosed, located high off the ground, and warm. But dryer vents are not exactly the best places for them to kick back and relax. Their nest will block the vent, which means heated air will not have any means of escape, and you will not be able to use your dryer without risking a devastating fire. If there are birds nesting in your dryer vent, it is important to remove them and their nest as quickly and as safely as possible. In this guide, we will explain how to remove and prevent birds from getting in dryer vents.

Removing Bird Nests

If you hear chirping, singing, or squawking that sounds like it originates from your dryer vent, take the time to check for a nest. If there is a nest, you will need to remove it. The method for taking birds away from a dryer vent varies depending on whether there are eggs.

If there are no eggs in the nest, you can remove the nesting materials from the vent while the birds are away. The best time to do this is mid-day when the birds leave the site to hunt or forage food. Though you can remove the materials yourself, having a professional cleaning service do this is a much better option.

If there are eggs in the nest, the humane thing to do is wait until the little birds have hatched and grown before removing the nest. Most types of birds will hatch and develop within a short time. Sparrows, for example, only take two weeks to hatch and three weeks after hatching to become fully mature. However, this means you will need to either hang-dry your laundry or, if possible, disconnect the exhaust tube and direct the air from your dryer elsewhere while you wait for the fledglings and their parents to abandon the nest.

Preventing New Nests

The next step in removing and preventing birds from getting in dryer vents is to block them from getting inside the dryer vent again. Luckily, there is a simple way to keep birds from returning and building another nest. Once you have removed the nesting materials, place a cover over the exterior of the vent. Most dryer vent covers are plastic and feature slits that are large enough for air to escape from but small enough that birds cannot squeeze their way through.

If you need vent cleaning in OKC to remove a bird’s nest or anything else that might be blocking your dryer vent, contact Duct Squads today! We will make sure your vents are pristine so you can stay safe and breathe easy.