The Place Where Bird Nests Aren’t Cute: In Your Dryer Vents

Dryer Vent Wizard, Leading Dryer Maintenance and Repair Company,
Offers Inspection and Removal Tips

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Children forever remember the thrill of spotting the first egg in their
yard and the fascination when learning mother birds bring food back and
forth to their young. That thrill and fascination quickly flies away
when children and their home-owning parents find one of those bird nests
in their dryer vent. The warm, dark and safe location is a common spot
for birds to play house – and with bird nesting season kicking off in
early spring alongside warmer temperatures, now is the time to look for
warning signs, according to Dryer
Vent Wizard, North America’s leading dryer maintenance and repair
franchise.

While seemingly harmless, bird nests in dryer vents can cause poor dryer
efficiency, human respiratory infections and dryer fires. In a
three-year span within the last decade, dryer fires have resulted in $35
million in residential home property loss, according to The
U.S. Fire Administration. Dryer Vent Wizard shares the following
tips for homeowners on how to inspect and properly remove bird nests
from the dryer vent.

Warning Signs:

1. Loss in Dryer Efficiency: A first sign of a bird’s nest in a
   dryer vent is that the dryer suddenly becomes less efficient, taking
   longer to dry clothes. The bird’s nest blocks the vent and traps
   moisture in the dryer, requiring more time to dry a load.
2. Droppings in Plain Sight: Birds leave droppings near their
   nests, and a key inspection step is to check for them just below the
   exterior portion of a dryer vent, outside of the home.
3. Debris around the Vent: If you see pine needles, hay, grass and
   other small debris inside the dryer vent or right near the opening,
   this is a sign of a bird nest.

Removal Steps:

1. Wear Protective Gear: Masks, gloves, suits and respirators are
   necessary to wear while removing the nest, as they host bacteria that
   can lead to severe illness if inhaled or brought into a home.
2. Cautiously Remove Nest: Homeowners often force bird’s nests
   deeper into the vent, or worse, break nests into small pieces, making
   it more difficult to remove. Nests absorb moisture from the vent,
   making it particularly fragile and difficult to remove without a
   professional. The individual should moisten the nest thoroughly before
   removing to minimize microbial contaminants becoming airborne.
3. Dispose of Nest and Sanitize Vent: Once the nest is entirely
   removed from the vent, properly dispose of it by placing the nest
   debris in a double-bagged, wet trash bag and taking it far from the
   home immediately. A preventative health measure is to effectively
   clean the vent after the nest is removed. Failure to do so can result
   in illness and eventually death in the very young or elderly from
   respiratory infection, as the bird’s bacteria can easily travel
   throughout the inside of a home.

“As soon as temperatures start to hit 60 or 70 degrees, birds will begin
nesting, which means it’s time for homeowners to heed the warning signs
that a nest may be in their dryer vent. We encourage homeowners to check
their vents around this time of year and take precautions to keep their
homes safe,” said David Lavalle, Founder of Dryer Vent Wizard.

For more information or to schedule a visit, visit www.dryerventwizard.com
or call 866-498-7233.

About Dryer Vent Wizard

Headquartered in Farmington Hills, Mich., Dryer Vent Wizard is a North
American franchise that specializes in dryer vent repair, replacement,
alteration, cleaning and maintenance for both residential and commercial
clients. The company was founded in 2004 by Dave Lavalle, who also
founded Mr. Handyman, and currently operates 90 locations across the
U.S. and Canada, serving over 9,000 communities. Dryer Vent Wizard is a
member of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). For more
information about Dryer Vent Wizard and to learn more about franchise
opportunities, visit www.dryerventwizard.com.

Contacts

Fishman Public Relations
Elise Rose
(847) 945-1300
erose@fishmanpr.com