Starlings not welcome in Englishtown, NJ

Recently, I was called out to a home in Englishtown, NJ, to deal with a nuisance bird infestation. Specifically, a flock of starlings (what ornithologists call a “murmuration”) had taken up residence in an uncovered dryer vent. Bird control is all about behavior modification — making the structure inhospitable to them, so they “pack their bags” and move elsewhere.  

In this case, I was dealing with birds that had decided to roost in a dryer vent. Dryer vents are naturally warm enclosed areas that, for birds, are an attractive location to nest. Dryer vents with external exit holes are usually poised a few feet from the ground, making them an ideal location for nesting. The warmth of the dryer exhaust helps incubate the eggs, augmenting the warmth from the mother bird. However, birds using dryer vents can create problems for both the birds and the homeowners. As far as the birds go, dryer vents sometimes become death traps. Young birds can tumble into the vent exhaust pipe, get stuck and die. Also, the rotting bird carcass becomes an attractant for other pests, not to mention spreading a foul odor throughout the home. Even adult birds can get stuck in these narrow spaces because their wing movements are restricted. Birds in dryer nests can create major problems for homeowners as well. The nests clog the vents, reducing the efficiency of the dryers. Also, the birds are bringing in flammable nesting materials in a heated enclosed space, creating a fire hazard. Needless to say, birds that take up residence in vents must be removed immediately. Removing the birds can be difficult since they are often not readily accessible, and it would be wise for homeowners to hire a trained wildlife technician for this particular job. 

This particular home in Englishtown had four uncovered dryer vents, which was trouble waiting to happen. The best way to safeguard vents from birds is sealing the exits with vent covers. However, before I could install vents, I first needed to make sure that any nesting materials were cleaned out and that there were no helpless babies left in the vent. Next, I installed a custom one-way device that would allow any adult birds still inside the vent to leave, but prevent their return. With wildlife control, a technician should never permanently seal an entry point until ensuring that there is no remaining wildlife inside. Inadvertently trapping an animal inside a structure can cause significant property damage as well as needless suffering for the trapped animal. After waiting a few days to make sure that all of the birds are gone, I’ll install permanent vent covers to prevent any future bird problems for this homeowner.