Dryer Exhaust Vs. Barn Swallows

cleveman

Today I visited an apartment complex which has a problem with barn swallows getting into the dryer vents. The birds sit on the stone veneer and lift up the louvers and get into the vents. Apparently there are no screens on the louver assembly.

The problem is two-fold. First, as explained, there are no screens on the inside of the louvre assembly. Secondly, also as explained, the birds are able to sit on the fake stone veneer to get at the louvre assembly.

We can't poison the birds. We can't remove the ledges which the birds are sitting on because there will just be another ledge right beneath.

The solution must lie with the louvre assembly. But therein lies a secondary problem. The louvre assembly is mortared in. I haven't been able to check, but I think this is some cheap louvre assembly which fits into the exhaust pipe and is screwed into the wall sheathing, underneath the fake stone veneer. There is no way to remove the louvre assembly. All I can think of is to remove the louvres themselves (flaps) and put in a piece of preformed 4" or whatever chicken wire and replace the flaps and be done with it.

Please advise on any solutions.

MALCO.New.York

I have installed 1000's of feet of this type product. http://www.birdbgone.com/birdspike2000.htm

Available at your local Exterminator Supply.

Before:






After:




Last week (one year later):




This site is directly across from Belmont Racetrack in Elmont, New York. It is riddled with Pigeons. One 4" strip will prevent the birds FOREVER. Use PL 400 or 500 adhesive.

The METAL spikes run $10.00 a linear foot (retail). Your cost will be considerably less. (do not like posting Wholesale prices)

__________________
Something to One may be Nothing to another!

Ultimate Wisdom---------
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mickeyco

They make covers for the vent cover or use chicken wire (formed), put something sharp like barbed wire pieces on the ledge, use construction adhesive to hold it in place.

MALCO.New.York

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__________________
Something to One may be Nothing to another!

Ultimate Wisdom---------
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OW-cnizLDEE

cleveman

thanks, guys. those barbed things might work well on the ledge. The boxes, however, are a different deal. They would look bad and the birds or another sort of bird might make a nest on top, then I would have to put the pointy things on top.

montanajim

if your vents are metal try putting small magnets on the flapper, you can get the thin ones with adhesive on one side and they will open with the pressure from the dryer vent. might be a cheaper fix

montanajim

also you dont want screens in the dryer vent. lint will cause it to plug so yet again you have to get that old latter back off of the truck to unplug it.

MALCO.New.York

Ladder

__________________
Something to One may be Nothing to another!

Ultimate Wisdom---------
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OW-cnizLDEE

paintr56

There is a caulk like product that is made for this purpose. You put it on the ledge where they sit and it never quits being sticky. The birds hate it and move on. I used it on top of all my roof trusses in my shed five years ago and the birds still don't sit up there and use every thing I put in the shed as a target like they use to. I got it at Ace hardware.

Jim