Bird nest in your dryer vent? Signs and what to do

A dryer vent hood is a warm, sheltered opening, which makes it an easy nesting spot for starlings, sparrows and mice. A nest can block a vent completely, and dry nesting material next to hot exhaust is a fire risk.

Signs something is living in your vent

• Chirping or scratching near the laundry room wall
• Twigs, grass or feathers sticking out of the hood
• The flap is stuck open or will not open at all
• Clothes suddenly take much longer to dry
• A musty or animal smell when the dryer runs

When it happens most

Spring nesting season, and any time a house sits empty. Seacoast beach houses and seasonal homes are common cases, because nobody runs the dryer for months.

What to do

1. Stop using the dryer until the vent is clear.
2. Check for active nests in spring. Many wild birds are protected by federal law, and active nests with eggs or chicks should not be disturbed. If birds are still using it, wait until they have left, or call a wildlife professional.
3. Clear the whole run, not just the hood. Nesting material is often pushed deep into the duct.
4. Install a guard. A guard designed for dryer vents keeps animals out without blocking lint. Do not use fine window screen, which clogs with lint.

How we handle it

We clear the nest material from the hood and the full duct, measure airflow afterward, and can install a critter guard or new hood for $59–89. Our Hampton and Portsmouth customers see this most often.