How to get a bird nest out of a vent

You have discovered a nest in your dryer (or any other) vent. It should be simple to remove this …right... Removing a nest from any type of pipe or vent is far more difficult than you would imagine. This is a very common problem that seems to occur thru out the country.
We see it mostly in the spring time when birds will start the nesting the process.
Here are a few helpful tips to guide you.
Why do Birds Nest in vents?
Your vent might be damaged. It could have missing flaps (deteriorated from the weather, age, or misuse), or never had a cover installed at all. If the piping is exposed it is the perfect cubby for a variety of critters, especially birds. Once a bird has decided your vent is the perfect spot move in to and made a nice cozy nest in there, it will be extremely difficult to rid yourself of them. Your vent is safe from the elements, comfy to raise a family, and near to ample food and water. How do you rid yourself of this nesting problem? The pipe itself is usually quite narrow. The nest is just out of arms reach (usually 3+ feet down. You can’t “push” it out. The average homeowner doesn’t own any special tools that can grasp the nest and pull it out. Taking the vent apart I not really an option, and the bird is not going to be coaxed out of its spot until the nesting cycle is over. Because the vent connects to your home, you can’t smoke them out, or poison them. If you did you would have dead birds that you cannot reach in your vents.
Steps to remove the nesting birds from pipe vents
Step 1
Identify the type of bird and how far along it is in its nesting. If it is very early in the spring then the bird may not be as vested, or as difficult to deal with as they may be later in the spring when eggs or young are involved. Remember the bird chose this spot to make a safe home for its offspring and will be defensive of that.
Step 2
Now determine how much nesting and debris needs to be removed from the vent. The only way to accurately determine the extent of the nest is by using a fiber optic scope. Unfortunately, these are usually being purchased in upwards of $200.00 from any of the big box lumber stores.
Step 3
Once you have determined the extent of the nesting and any other obstructions, you ready to proceed. The most opportune time to act is when the nesting bird has left. It is best to have a partner to “stand watch” for you during the extrication. As far as tools go, we suggest using a “fish”. This handy tool looks like an extendable clog removal tool with an edged hook on the end. It can be found in the electrical isle from at most hardware stores. Most are reasonably priced, starting as low as $40.00. You simply extend the hook and line into the pipe, and run the fish in and out of the piping until all the nesting and other debris comes out.
Step 4
The last step is simple, but most important. Finish up your bird nest removal by disinfecting the vent. A commercial grade disinfectant should use Birds carry a mites that will invest your home. Once you and your family have mites, they are nasty, uncomfortable, and hard to be rid of. We suggest that you call a professional pest service to have the mite spraying/disinfecting done. Not only will it be more cost effective to have a professional do the job, but it will be done correctly the first time.

You might also want to consider a professional for the bird/nest removal service as will. Incorrect removal procedures often leads to dead birds in vents, eggs left in the vents to rot, and flammable materials left behind. All these scenarios can pose a danger to you and your family. Your local age extension or a local feed/ hardware store can often find a list of qualified professionals in your area.
Do Not Use Panty Hose (or anything except approved covering) on a Dryer Vent

Some folks think the answer is to disconnect the vent while waiting for the nesting bird to leave and cover the hole with panty hose, net, or some other type of cloth. Do not try this! This is dangerous and should not be done! Dryers always need to vent outside the home. When you restrict the airflow, it causes lint to accumulate in the dryer back at an accelerated rate. These dangerous conditions can lead to serious fires.

How to inspect a house for pigeon or bird entry holes: It is important to keep up with regular inspections and maintenance of your home, especially if you live in an area rife with wildlife. If it's not a stray pigeon or other bird finding its way into your home and setting up a roost, it'll be another animal, whether that's a squirrel, an opossum, a raccoon, mice, rats, or more. The good news is that with prior planning and a little bit of work, your home could be wild animal-free in no time at all. Well ... hopefully. You should aim to do two trips around your homeonce during the day using natural daylight to show up the holes and cracks, and once during the night time with a flashlight helping you spot those holes. Sometimes these holes are easier to see during the night with the help of a single beam of light from a torch. A pigeon doesn't need a big hole to be able to force its way through, but the size of the hole is irrelevant. A mouse or small bird can get through a size no bigger than a wedding ring. Holes in your home mean bad news. Pay special attention to the vents in the house, including dryer vents, soffit vents, gable vents, and roof vents. When you've done your two trips around your home, you'll have a good idea of the areas that need maintenance and repair work, and if there are animal invaders in your home, the holes, damage and markings left by the birds will soon lead a trail to where they're hiding. Dirty animals leave a dirty trail.

Before you move a bird net, no matter where it is situated, you must ensure that it is no longer in use. If it is still being used, by adults, chicks or even eggs, you should wait until the youngsters have hatched and are old enough to leave the nest. Not only will moving an in-use nest result in the likely death of the birds or eggs but you could also find yourself in trouble with the law. Some birds are protected — and this includes the nest and eggs. 

When you are sure that the nest is no longer being used by birds of any age, you can go ahead and remove it — but you will want to make sure that you’re wearing a breathing mask and rubber gloves, and that you have disposal items nearby, such as a large plastic bag. You will want to consider double-wrapping or even triple-wrapping. 

Removing the nest is only part of the job. You will also want to make sure that you have cleaned up any droppings, removed all contaminated material, and cleaned and disinfected the area. You should also check for entry points. If you don’t, the problem can return — and it likely will.