Why Keep Birds Out of Your Dryer Vent?
Keeping your dryer vent clear of lint accumulation and other obstructions is crucial. It will cause overheating and may even result in a fire if hot air cannot escape via the exhaust vent! Because birds need a secure, dry environment to rear their young in the spring, they construct their nests within dryer vents.
The external aperture of your dryer vent must be sealed with galvanized wire mesh or hardware cloth in order to prevent birds from nesting in the venting. Aside from that, there are vent covers available for purchase, some of which are designed expressly for dryer vents. Birds cannot be kept out of a house using window screening or plastic netting.
In addition to causing additional difficulties, having birds nest in your dryer vent causes your clothing to dry more slowly, the vent obstruction leads to mold growth, and there is a spray of bird excrement against your wall.
Professional removal of birds from vents is the only humane method of doing so. Avoiding a duct full of young birds is significantly less difficult than dealing with them after they have arrived.
In what manner did a bird get access to my dryer vent system?
A warm, safe place to nest and lay eggs is sought after by birds in the spring. Birds are on the hunt for such a location. Sparrows and starlings are both cavity-nesting species, which means that the vents in our houses for the stove, bathroom, and laundry dryer are the ideal places for them to set up shop and raise their families.
A safe space should be maintained between dryer vents and the floor. raccoons, cats, and other predators. Birds pick these nesting sites because they feel safe from them. Warm and dry, the vents provide the perfect environment for breeding birds and other wildlife.
There are three flaps that cover the opening in most dryer vents. When you turn on your dryer, the flaps in the door open to let warm air to circulate outside. When the dryer is switched off, they re-close again.
In most cases, plastic is used to construct these flaps. They often fail after 5 to 7 years of exposure to rain, wind, ultraviolet radiation, heat, and cold. Whenever a nice nesting area becomes available, birds are fast to take advantage of the chance.
You may begin to hear chirping or screaming sounds coming from your dryer vent as a result of this. It’s possible that some twigs or grass will poke out of the hole, as well. When birds begin to nest in your dryer vent, you will notice the following telltale indicators.
the importance of keeping the dryer vent free of obstructions
When your dryer vent is clogged, it is not a trivial inconvenience. Due to the fact that if hot air cannot leave, it may catch fire in the vent, a blockage may be very hazardous to one’s safety. According to the National Fire Protection Association, clothes dryers are the cause of around 16 000 fires every year on average.
Another important reason to maintain your dryer vent free of obstructions is that:
Reduce the amount of money you spend on your power. The efficiency of your clothes dryer will be reduced if your vent is clogged with nesting material, lint, and other debris. It will take longer for your clothing to dry, and the machine will consume up to 30% more electricity!
Maintain the dryer vent to prevent mold from growing.
It is possible for condensation to accumulate inside the hollow if the vent is obstructed. Mold grows as a result of the warmth from the dryer combined with the moisture. The air in the dryer vent will circulate, spreading mold to your clothes, linens, and towels, which is unsanitary and potentially hazardous to your health.
Birds, mice, and other animals are kept out of your vent by keeping it clean. It is likely that having a blocked dryer vent may attract rodents, which will make the situation much worse.
The Dangers of Birds Nesting in the Dryer’s Vent
In the event that you see birds constructing a nest in your dryer vent, it is critical that you solve the situation as soon as possible. In only one to three days, a couple of starlings may complete their nesting task!
Alternatively, you may feel terrible for the birds and consider waiting until the kids have flown the nest before removing it. Waiting is not a good option. When birds get into your dryer vent, it might lead to the following problems:
Mites or lice infestation is a parasitic infection. Various parasites are carried by birds, which may crawl into your dryer and attach themselves to the fabric of your garment.
Avian infections, which cause sickness in humans, are often carried by birds. Through the dryer vent, these germs may be spread.
It is possible for birds to be forced or pulled into the vent, where they will perish. A foul odor will infiltrate your clothes as a result of the deceased bird.
Keep Birds out of your dryer vent with one of these methods:
To protect yourself from the atrocities outlined above, you may choose between two options. Alternatively, you may purchase a vent guard or create your own cover. Both of these techniques are low-cost and necessary for keeping a clean dryer vent..
Hardware cloth or galvanized wire mesh may be used to seal the duct on the outside.
Vent guards are available for purchase and installation. When used in conjunction with a dryer vent, they are especially intended to keep birds and other animals out while allowing air to flow out.
Regardless of what you use to prevent birds from entering the dryer vent, it must be removable so that you can clean the vent quickly. Inspection and cleaning of your dryer vent are normally advised once a year.
Avoid covering the vent with window screening or plastic mesh since they are not effective at keeping birds away. Starlings with a lot of determination will be able to simply peck their way through this stuff.
Birds Nest Removal from a Dryer Vent is a simple procedure.
In the event that you see twigs or grass protruding from the dryer vent, as well as the telltale fan of bird droppings below the duct, it is likely that you have a bird’s nest that has to be cleaned up.
Immediately take action if you observe any evidence of birds in the vent.
When the nest is vacant, it is preferable to remove it before the birds have placed their eggs. Around the day, when most birds are gone from their nests in search of food, the greatest time to photograph them is during the middle of the day.
It is never a good idea to reach inside a bird’s nest and grasp it with your bare hands since germs and parasites may be found there. Remove the nest, lint, and any other debris from the vent using rubber gloves or a vent cleaning tool.
Unfortunately, using this procedure does not ensure that all of the nesting material will be removed from your home. In certain cases, it may be required to climb into the attic to reach the dryer vent’s entrance because birds have burrowed their way into the duct system.
Even if all of this seems like it will be too much for you, it is much preferable to just hire a professional removal service. Getting professional assistance is highly recommended if birds have already placed their eggs.
It Is Illegal to Disturb Certain Bird Species.
It is crucial to highlight that many bird species, particularly migratory species, are protected by law because they are considered endangered. Taking, disturbing, or killing some kinds of birds may be against the law in various countries.
The Migratory Bird Treaty is signed by the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Russia. The legislation provides protection for birds that are native to the United States. A protected species’ nest removal may result in a 6-month prison sentence or a fine of up to $15 000.
However, since they are not native to the United States, the house sparrow (Passer domesticus) and the European starling (Sturnus vulgaris), which are the most renowned offenders when it comes to breeding in dryer vents, are excluded from the provisions of these regulations.
Getting expert assistance is definitely the best option if you are not confident in your bird identification abilities enough to identify a starling from a blue jay and want to skip the hassle of applying for a permit.
Birds can be removed from dryer vents swiftly and gently if you have the knowledge, equipment, and abilities necessary.
A Vent Guard may help keep birds away from your home.
For those who have easy access to both the interior and outside of the wall on which the dryer vent is situated, prefabricated vent guards, which may be purchased online or at a local hardware shop, are a quick and simple solution.
Purchase a dryer vent guard without feeling intimidated. A conventional size for dryer ducts is 4 inches wide, and vent guards are often supplied with a piece of galvanized steel tubing that is also 4 inches wide.
Those composed of metal should be used for outdoor dryer vent covers. Mesh-grate models perform well, but you should be mindful that they collect a lot of lint and should not be used often. It is necessary to clean them more regularly as a result.
Installing a Bird-Proof Dryer Vent Guard is Simple.
Once you have removed the birds’ nest from the dryer vent, it is time to install your new outdoor dryer vent cover. Using this method will guarantee that no birds, mice, or insects establish a home in your dryer vent.
To install or replace your dryer vent guard, just follow these easy steps:
Separates the dryer duct from the pipe of the vent guard, which is located on the inside of the wall where the vent is installed…. Simply undo the screws or peel away the duct tape and take them apart from the inside out.
After that, make your way around to the outside of the building. If you are replacing an existing vent guard, it may be necessary to seal it with caulk to prevent it from being damaged. Remove all of the caulk from around the vent guard using a utility knife, if necessary.
Disconnect the old vent guard from the wall by unscrewing it and pulling it out with your hands.
Make sure there is adequate air flowing through the dryer vent before installing the replacement vent guard. To check for a wind coming from the vent, turn on your dryer and hold your hand against it. The dryer vent is most likely blocked and requires expert cleaning if you do not see any airflow.
If the vent is functioning properly, run the pipe from the new vent guard through the wall and screw the vent guard to the outside of the wall (see illustration).
Fill up any gaps around the vent guard with paintable silicone caulk.
The dryer duct should be attached to the vent guard pipe on the inner side of the wall once again. These pieces of furniture are designed to fit together, and you may attach them together with screws or duct tape.
Migratory bird nesting boxes should be placed.
Sparrows and starlings are among the many migratory birds that make their homes in metropolitan environments. Native species, such as bluebirds, often make their homes in cities. In order to establish their nests, cavity-nesting species need suitable habitats in urban areas.
Installing some nest boxes for these birds will provide them with an alternate source of shelter. To attract certain species, you may purchase nest boxes that have been constructed specifically for that species, or you can make your own.
In a protected location that is far distant from your home, place the nest boxes high up off the ground. Native animals are more safe when they are at least 300 feet away from human settlements, whereas sparrows and starlings are more ease when they are close to our houses or buildings.
Lastly, a word about
In the spring, cavity-nesting birds such as sparrows and starlings search for secure, dry locations to build their nests. Since dryer vents are warm and high above the ground, they are a popular place for them to establish a permanent home in urban areas.
Birds nesting in your dryer vent may cause a number of issues, including:
The nesting material, lint, and other debris will plug the dryer duct and prevent it from functioning properly. If hot air cannot leave via the vent, it might ignite a fire!
When birds fly into the dryer vent, they bring parasites and viruses with them that may be transmitted to people.
A horrible stink will be released by birds that have been trapped in the dryer and have died, which will contaminate all of your garments that you placed in the dryer.
Due of the obstruction caused by birds’ nests, condensation forms on the inside of the dryer duct. This formula for mold and bacteria is created by the mixture of warm air, wet air, bird droppings, twigs and straw.
The efficiency of your dryer will be reduced if there is an obstruction in the dryer vent. Clothes will take longer to dry, and the washing machine will use 30% more power as a result.
Installing an outside dryer vent guard or cover can prevent birds from nesting in your dryer vent. Hardware and gardening supply shops have a large selection of them. You may get them at a low cost and with little difficulty.
As an alternative, you may use hardware cloth or galvanized wire mesh to seal the outside of your dryer vent. Inspect the vent cover to ensure that it is simple to clean. The dryer vent should be inspected and cleaned once a year at the very minimum.
The most effective course of action if birds have already built a nest in your dryer vent is to bring in a professional to remove both the nest and any birds from the area. Several species of birds are protected by law and it is against the law to harm them.
An professional will be able to identify the bird, remove it in a humane manner, and seal your dryer vent to ensure that it does not happen again if the problem occurs again.
