How to Safely Remove & Keep Birds Out of Dryer Vents

Debris hanging from the vent, droppings underneath, chirping sounds, low dryer performance, or birds flying in and out of the vent are sure signs that there's a bird in the dryer vent.

It is important to remove birds from your vent because they could cause a build-up of carbon monoxide, dryer vent damage, pest infestation, vent fires, or diseases.

You can remove birds and their nests from the dryer vent yourself or call a wildlife removal specialist.

Prevention measures such as installing an exterior meshed exhaust metal-gauge cover on the bottom keep birds away from your dryer vent.

This write-up discusses the causes, risks, and prevention measures of birds in your dryer vent.

5 Signs of a Bird in Dryer Vent

Birds build their nests in the dryer vent because it's warm. This is risky for you and the bird(s) because it can be a fire hazard. Birds in the dryer vent also reduce dryer efficiency due to obstruction of airflow.

Some of the sure signs that there's a bird in the dryer vent are:

1. Birds flying in and out of the vent opening
2. Chirping sounds inside the dryer vent
3. Bird droppings under the dryer vent
4. Debris such as grass, dried leaves, and twigs hanging from the vent
5. Poor dryer performance

Act fast because birds in the dryer vent could become a health hazard, cause a dryer vent fire, or cause other problems, such as poor vent performance or decreased airflow.

4 Risks of Birds or Birds Nest in the Dryer Vent

Ensure you're not compromising your home's safety while being a faithful environmental steward. There are many risks birds in the vents pause, including;

1. Infestation and Compromised Air Quality: The debris and bird droppings put your health at risk by creating an environment for parasites and harmful bacteria within the vent. Neglected bird droppings also result in a bad foul within the vents and cause respiratory problems in the family members. Birds may also transfer diseases like Salmonellosis, Candidiasis, and Avian flu into your home.
2. Fire Hazard: Debris, such as dry leaves, feathers, and twigs, could drastically reduce airflow in the vent, causing the dryer to overheat and ignite a fire. European Starlings are known for building large, messy nests with leaves, twigs, and grass. Their large nests hinder airflow within the vents, making the dryers and fan motors overwork and overheat, increasing the chances of a fire.
3. Mold growth: Nesting materials within the vent can cause mold growth due to moisture retention.
4. Vent damage: Some materials, such as foil ducts, could break open when too many nests are packed within the vent. Birds' droppings, which are acidic, could result in dryer vent staining.

How Do I Get Birds Out of My Dryer Vent?

Removing birds from the dryer vent requires good planning and careful consideration of home safety and ecological concerns. You have two options: Hire a professional or remove the birds from the dryer vent yourself.

Keeping Birds Out of Dryer Vent DIY

To remove birds from the dryer vent (DIY), you need kitchen tongs, a screwdriver, a leaf blower, high-quality rubber gloves, and a flashlight.

Wear gloves to protect your hands from bird mite bites, and then use a screwdriver to remove the vent cover where applicable.

1. Pinch the tongs on the clamp to detach the vent hose from the dryer. If there are screws on the hose clamp, use a screwdriver to loosen them before disconnecting the hose.
2. With the flashlight, check to see if there's a bird's nest, live bird, or dead bird in dryer vent.
3. If you see a bird's nest, inspect it to see if there are baby birds or eggs. If there are, the most noble thing is to leave them there until the young birds fledge. The baby birds will leave the nest after about 2 to 3 weeks. Otherwise, find a wildlife rehabilitator that has permits to legally move bird nests out of the vent. Remove the nest and place it in a safe bush or tree if there are no baby birds or eggs.
4. If there is only a tiny amount of debris, the birds are just starting to build a nest, so use the leaf blower to eject it out of the vent. Vacuum the dryer vent after removing the nests and other debris.
5. Reattach the hose and dryer vent cover and test if it's working perfectly. If so, all is good.

Hiring a Professional

Hiring a professional to remove the birds from the dryer vent could be better if you don't have the necessary tools, such as screwdrivers, gloves, and a leaf blower, or if the dryer vent is too high to access.

Professionals have the necessary tools, equipment, expertise, and insurance to remove birds from the dryer vent. If anything goes wrong and they get hurt (God forbid!), you won't be liable; the insurance will take care of the necessary medical expenses.

How to Keep Birds Out of Dryer Vents

Installing dryer vent bird guards helps you to bird-proof dryer vent without compromising its functionality. Bird screens for dryer vents also effectively keep birds away from your vent.

Use heavy-gauge metal instead of plastic guards or vents, as plastic becomes brittle with extended exposure to the sun.

Disclaimer: The installation of dryer vent bird guards is now becoming illegal in some countries. Please check if the law prohibits their use before installing them.

Regular inspections can help determine if there's a bird's nest or a bird trapped in the dryer vent. Dirty dryer vents are a fire and health hazard.

Hire Zerorez® to inspect or clean your vents.

At Zerorez, we clean dryer vents, HVAC, air ducts, and carpets professionally to safeguard you from health and fire hazards. You can schedule a dryer vent cleaning service online from the comfort of your home or office or call one of our locations near you for a free quote or an inquiry.