Sometimes birds like to nest in odd places. One of these places is dryer vents. For some reason, most likely because of the constant stream of warm air, birds will nest in dryer vents. However, that's no good for you and it could cause a fire. While the culprit bird is flying away, you're watching your home burn down. Prevent this nightmare from occurring by following these tips.
As mentioned, birds are mainly fond of dryer vents because of the warmth they provide, Do It Yourself noted. Though building a comfortable nest seems like a great idea to birds, it's a horrible idea for you. Nests can block these vents, which isn't good. Dryer vents were placed in homes to let out the hot air created by the dryer and release it into the air, without starting a fire in your home. Once that pathway is blocked by a collection of sticks and mud, you're in trouble. You could have ventilation damage and, yes, possibly a fire.
Before you do anything, examine your vent for birds or worse, bird eggs. Birds will lay their eggs near the vent to keep them cozy before they hatch, Total Duct Cleaning stated. Normally, pregnant mothers will build a nest within 2 feet of the vent and lay eggs in the nest. However, if baby birds are involved, your task is more difficult, as you have to wait for the baby birds to leave the nest. Once the nest is bird free, immediately take the nest out and follow the proper prevention tips. Always remove any twigs or other scraps left from the nest, since new birds may try to use it to build a new nest in the vent.
There are a few different options when it comes to preventing birds from settling in your air vents. The first option is simply purchasing a bird screen or some mesh wire to put on your dryer vent. Tailor the size of the screen to your vent. Or, homeowners could invest in a dryer closure system. These systems are slightly more expensive but they're more energy efficient, since they help prevent air from the outdoors from re-entering your home. Homeowners could try physical or visual deterrents, but these often don't work given the location of most vents. Changing your vent from a flap door to a grate door could work as well. You can install any of these types of vents yourself. You just need to pick the one that's right for you.
If you do have a bird problem or infestation in your dryer vent, don't wait. Contact pest control services to safely deal with the problem for you.
You probably already know that most people are repulsed by the simple sight of cockroaches. If you are personally dealing with a cockroach infestation, the feelings of disgust are probably even more intense. Unfortunately, the cold winter weather tends to be one of the reasons this pest ends up in your home in the first place, according to Any Pest. While you may know that you don't want to share your home with cockroaches this winter, there are a number of interesting facts about this pest that you've probably never heard.
Because of the high amount of traffic and the versatility of the facilities, pests are naturally attracted to long-term care institutions. Many nursing homes, rehabilitation centers and other care facilities include on-site kitchens and cafeterias as well as private rooms and common spaces. All of these places are susceptible to attracting pests because of the presence of food, water and viable habitats.
During the summer months, some people love to go camping with family and friends. Yet this fun trip can be ruined with a few unwanted visitors, most notably different types of bugs. Crawling spiders, hungry mosquitoes and buzzing flies can become annoying quickly. How can you avoid these pests when you're outdoors? Consider these tips to keep bugs out of your campsite.
Carpenter ants can chew through the strongest studs and stringers in a house as they hollow the wooden beams out for nesting. The resulting damage can weaken the home's structural support and require expensive repairs. Professional pest control workers can remove a colony of ants, but the best practice for homeowners is to learn the best ways to keep out an ant colony and prevent the problem before it begins.
As the weather cools, you'll probably see fewer pests than you did during the warmer months, but that doesn't mean they're all gone just yet. Some insects can actually come out in full force during the autumn, while others might seek refuge in your warm home. Here are some key tips to keep in mind as fall gets underway:
As the middle of summer approaches, you need to be vigilant about keeping your garden free of pests. Many insects breed during the summertime, which means they're on the lookout for great places to lay their eggs. For many bugs, that means near a source of food. In fact, some species of insects will lay their eggs inside budding vegetables and fruit so their larvae have something to eat as soon as they hatch. That's why you have to keep harmful bugs out without damaging the bugs that could help you, such as bumble bees.
You might have noticed that, with the exception of the kitchen, you find more pests in your bathroom than in the rest of your home. This is because insects and rodents see the bathroom as a convenient watering hole. Pests love leaky pipes and standing water because these offer them a hydrating oasis in the otherwise dry biome that is your house or apartment. And if your bathroom develops mold, all the better for pests, who may eat fungus or use it to lay their eggs.
The kitchen is largest gathering place for pests in a residential home. The reason is simple: pests can grab a bite to eat and take a sip of water while they're here. And when they find such a bountiful place, they will return home to their nests and report the finding - before you know it, your whole pantry is a buffet for ants! The problem could get even worse if a piece of food falls somewhere and begins to rot. Similarly, fruit and vegetables you bring into your home may be harboring unseen pests waiting to hatch.
