Birds in Vents

Birds in Vents are a very common problem that is found in most cities and towns on the eastern seaboard. Birds will start attempting to get into vents usually in the later part of March, but this can happen year-round. They will attempt to get into any vent in the home, especially ones that are uncovered and close to trees. Some of the more common vents that you will find birds in are Kitchen Vents and Higher bathroom vents. Birds also can be found in Dryer vents and lower ground level vents used to exhaust gas furnaces and other appliances. One of the first things that customers will tell us is they smell a musty smell coming from the vents or they hear scratching in the vents of their homes. The sounds that are typically heard may or may not be hearing scratching, birds have very long claws on their toes, and they use these claws for gripping tree limbs and other objects during their day-to-day activities. When a bird walks in the metal vent pipes it sounds as though they are scratching.

How long will the birds be in my vents?

How long will the birds be in my vent pipe? That is a very good question and one that has no simple answer. It depends on if the mother bird successfully completes her nesting cycle. If she completes her nesting cycle successfully the first time, she should only be in the vent for approximately 8 weeks. In these 8 weeks, she will lay the eggs, sit the eggs and then hatch them; she will then become increasingly noisy, going back and forth between 40 and 50 times per day, feeding the chicks that she just hatched. If the cycle does not complete itself, she will lay another clutch of eggs and the cycle will start all over again. If this happens the noise in the vents could be there for up to 4 months. It can be a really long time before a bird in the vent will leave.

What are some of the problems with birds in Vents?

There are many problems that are associated with having birds in the vents of your home; some of the problems include:

  • Bugs - Birds often carry lice and mites. The birds in the vent can carry the mites both on their feathers and can be found in their nests. When birds are in the vents it exposes your home to a potential infestation of the mites as they will search for a new host. They will migrate in through the vent and will fall from it into the bathroom or kitchen. They may even get into the dryer. They will bite humans but cannot survive off of human blood. Once the problem becomes this bad it is only treatable by a professional company trained to exterminate these pests.
  • Ventilation Problems - Ventilation issues can occur with the number of nesting materials that birds use to build a nest in the vents. The birds almost always completely clog a vent, allowing no airflow through. This could be particularly bad if the bird will build the nest in a gas vent or another vent that is critical to the operation of the home like a dryer vent. When the nesting material blocks these types of vents, it can cause fires.
  • Odors and Other Airborne Concerns - Odors are also a possible issue when dealing with birds in the vents. As birds are building nests and living in the vents they will leave droppings. Birds in vents can cause dust, feces, and debris to get into the air in your home. These airborne concerns can irritate the lungs of people with respiratory conditions. Bird feces, when it gets into the air, can be inhaled. It can cause histoplasmosis, a fungal lung infection. People with weakened immune systems are more susceptible.
  • When you have a bird in the vent, you should always have these problems checked out by a professional. We have professionals that are located across America. You can find our complete list of recommended pros here. We also handle all types ofbird feces removal. We also serve Virginia and New Jersey. Some of the locations we service in Virginia are: Richmond, Fairfax, Alexandria, Manassas, Woodbridge, Fredericksburg, Lorton, Dale City, Haymarket and all other areas of Northern Virginia. Some of the areas we service in New Jersey are: Newark, East Orange, Trenton, Middletown, Jersey City, Edison, Bridgewater, Elizabeth and all other areas of New Jersey. Give us a call today and let us solve your bird in the vent problem for good, in the areas of Virginia and New Jersey we offer limited warranties for work done. Some of the other services we offer are bird in store removal and bird spike installation in many areas of the country. We get lots of emails, so we will list some along with the answers to try to help you decide what to do!

    I was reading your website on bird nest removal. Thank you for providing this information. I do have a question for you. First, here is my situation: the reason I knew I had an issue is because of the horrible smell coming from my 1st floor bathroom. I had smelled something in our master bathroom upstairs a few weeks ago, but that smell is gone. I knew the birds were there, but I am young and just moved into this house in November and didn't realize the problem with having them in the vent. I opened the vent yesterday and can see the nest. After inspecting it, birds came back to the hole, but I didn't hear any chirping while up there. My question is: Since I can see the nest and I'm sure I can pull it out easily, would you still recommend a professional? I am probably going to do it myself with a shop vac unless you STRONGLY advise not to. If I do it, what cleaner do you recommend to get rid of the smell? 
    We get lots of emails, so we will list some along with the answers to try to help you decide what to do!

    Technician A: Always hire a professional unless you are completely comfortable with heights and walking on rafters in your attic and you are certified to do so. If you slip and fall, you could cause thousands of dollars of damage to your home's finish (drywall) and you could severely injure yourself. Animals require special training to be able to handle them safely for all parties involved. Let someone handle this that has the correct tools and training.

    Why did this bird get into my vent?

    Technician A: Birds will get into vents for a number of reasons. They may get into higher vents to avoid predators. They may also get in because the exhaust is blowing warm air. There is no specific reason why birds get in the vents. But, it is preventable.

    How much damage can it actually cause?

    Technician A: Birds can cause significant amounts of damage to the vents, AC units, Appliances, and the house itself. Over years birds can degrade the ductwork and get into the attic. It can also make you more susceptible to other animals entering the space. Bird droppings can also cause illnesses to the people who live inside the home.

    Now that the bird is out of my vent, what can I do to prevent this from happening again?

    Technician A: A technician can provide you with information on cleaning out the vent and treating the area for mites and lice. Disinfecting and deodorizing the area is often needed and always recommended.

    What sets you apart from other birds in vent services?

    Technician A: We are a full-service company that includes remediation, removal, and repairs. We can also help with preventative measures. Our customer service and relationships with the community are unmatched! Just give us a call at (800) 929-7163

     

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