How to Get Bird Out of Dryer Vent

Believe it or not, your humble dryer vent can be a real estate hotspot for winged creatures. 

The warmth, dryness and relative safety of these vents make them an appealing nesting spot for birds. 

But what happens when a bird makes its home too deep in the vent, gets stuck or even injured? 

This can spell disaster not only for the little feathered tenant but also your appliance. 

In this read, we’ll delve into how to gently and humanely extract a bird from a dryer vent conundrum. 

Beyond this, we’ll equip you with preventative measures to deter birds from transforming your dryer vent into their cozy abode in the first place.

Can Birds Get Stuck In Dryer Vents?

Yes, indeed, birds can and do get stuck in dryer vents. What makes these vents appealing to birds? 

They provide a cozy, warm and dry haven for nesting during the spring season- perfect for raising their young. 

However, this seemingly harmless nesting can pose significant risks not only to the birds but also to homeowners.

Why Dryer Vent Nesting is a Fire Hazard

When nests block the exhaust vent, it prevents hot air from escaping. 

This buildup of heat may lead to overheating and potential fire hazards when combined with flammable dry nesting materials and lint accumulation. 

The National Fire Protection Association reveals that approximately 16,000 fires each year are triggered by clothes dryers.

It Can Also Cause Dwindling Appliance Efficiency

A dryer vent plugged with nests, lint and other debris remarkably decreases your clothes dryer’s efficiency. 

Consequently, your clothes take longer to dry which not only wastes power but also spikes up your electricity bill. 

Notably, this obstruction might cause carbon monoxide accumulation within your home.

Health Risks Too

Birds may be beautiful from afar, but remember they are carriers of parasites and pathogens transferable to humans via these shared ducts. 

In the unfortunate event that a bird gets trapped inside the shaft and dies there – it results in an unbearable odor that permeates every piece of clothing you toss into the dryer.

Furthermore, bird’s nests encourage interior duct condensation which could potentially promote mold growth – another health risk you’d prefer to avoid.

What To Do If An Animal Is Stuck In Your Dryer Vent?

You can hint the presence of an animal in your dryer vents from odd noises or decreased functionality, or by peeping through to catch a glimpse. 

If you reckon there’s a critter taking up residence, the prime directive is to stop using the appliance immediately. 

The presence of an animal poses potential risks such as fire outbreak or carbon monoxide poisoning due to a blocked vent. 

Plus, it’s harmful to any nesting birds, especially if incubation or hatching is underway.

In such a situation, consider being humane and allow the bird offspring to hatch and exit the nest naturally – usually spanning around three weeks. During this period, air-drying your clothes would be a kind alternative.

Visibly empty nests can be removed delicately with kitchen tongs if within reach.

However, if inaccessible or if an animal is present, especially a protected species, a professional service may be required. 

Professional services, in addition to pest removal, also sanitize your vent from lint and debris and assess repair needs that could have resulted from animal invasion.

Removing an entrenched animal yourself isn’t always straightforward and might pose safety threats if the creature turns out hostile. 

Uninstalling the grille from the exhaust vent followed by detaching the flexible duct at the dryer’s back might offer an exit trail for smaller animals like birds. You can use a leaf blower at the dryer end to force an exit from the outer port. 

After successful eviction comes prevention – implementing measures to keep out unwelcome visitors in future is crucial to maintaining household safety and operational efficiency of appliances. 

How To Prevent Birds From Nesting In Your Dryer Vent

Preventing birds from nesting in your dryer vent isn’t as difficult as it sounds. 

To keep these airborne visitors at bay, use galvanized wire mesh to effectively seal off the exterior opening of the vent. 

Doing so not only blocks their access but also ensures that your vent can still function optimally by releasing the heat.

If you’re not up for a DIY job, there’s no need to fret. You’ll find numerous commercial vent covers on the market targeted specifically for dryer vents with the added benefit of pest prevention. 

Handy and efficient, these covers are designed precisely for cases like this!

If you’ve noticed your current cover isn’t quite up to par in deterring our feathered friends from entering, it might be time for an upgrade.

How Much Does It Cost To Remove Birds From Vent?

The issue of birds nesting within household vents is more common than one might suspect, with the removal cost varying considerably based on several key factors. 

These factors include the species of bird, the total population and nests inside, and how easily accessible these feathered guests made themselves. 

Expert bird eviction services usually come with a price tag ranging from $100 to over $500. For a straightforward case of bird removal from a vent, you’re looking at a starting cost of around $195. 

Bear in mind that these prices are estimates; your actual bill could be higher or lower based on your geographical location and individual circumstances.

What Kind Of Birds Nest In Dryer Vents?

Sparrows, starlings and pigeons – all non-native species – commonly setup shop in such cozy, protected spaces like our dryer vents. 

These little intruders are not protected by law; you’re legally allowed to evict them from your vents, although care should always be taken not to harm the creatures.

Nevertheless, our vent-invaders aren’t always non-native. 

Some local celebrities like woodpeckers, chickadees and wrens might decide to move into your dryer vent as well. 

These protected species fall under the realm of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

In such instances, it’s important to tread carefully: you’ll need to contact a wildlife authority or a professional who specialises in gentle eviction strategies.