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Hey Hawthorne Villagers - so the last few days, we've been hearing what sounds like birds tweeting and flapping somewhere around our range hood. has anyone dealt with this? does anyone have a bird/wildlife removal business they would recommend? it's a ~10 year old mattamy house if it matters. happy Friday everyone!

Birds love living in exhaust vents. They can literally lift the exterior vent flaps and enter. The Ontario Building Code specifically requires that your kitchen exhaust vent must have a screen in it to prevent this exact issue. Depending on the vent, most of the screens are metal mesh. Required screens are missing in many hundreds of vents in new and newer homes around Milton.

You should remove them and whatever debris is in the vent as soon as possible and put a screen in the vent to prevent them from coming back. Once they lay eggs YOU ARE NOT permitted to remove them.

There are typically 3 flap, 4 flap, and 5 flap vents. In the 3 flap vents the screen is integrated into the vent so they are always okay. Most 4 flap vents also have an integrated screen. It is the 5 flap vents that do not have an integrated screen where the screens are often missing.

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For Home Inspection services call Andy Shaw at Halton Home Inspection Service. 905 876 4761

Not true...

Some nests are illegal to remove even if there are no eggs or are abandoned
Depends on species and all
Some species they even encourage you to destroy nests and eggs

https://www.ontario.ca/page/remove-bird-nests-or-eggs

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There is no reasoning with Tru-Anon people, it really is cult-like

Well there you go. You are right. And I'm almost right.

There are 6 bird species that, if you choose, you can simply throw the eggs and or baby birds to the ground and kill them. Every other bird species you need to leave alone until the baby birds leave the nest. Pest control companies however will not simply dispose of baby birds or nests in the garbage. They will charge a hefty fee on top of the nest removal fee to relocate the nest and babies.



The best advice to the OP is to remove any debris from the exhaust NOW and put the required screen in the vent BECAUSE the bird(s) will come back repeatedly until their access is physically blocked.

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For Home Inspection services call Andy Shaw at Halton Home Inspection Service. 905 876 4761

Sounds good guys, thanks for the advice, will update with results. I have to say I was surprised to hear that they can put these requirements on what you do with what you find within your actual home. I mean a nest somewhere in my yard I totally get, but even within my home where it is a safety/health hazard? Surprising. But it is what it is.

In Milton there are HRV ventilation intake vents without the required screens and birds are pooping in them. These intakes are supposed to be bringing fresh air into the home but instead they are bringing contaminated air into the home. Quite the drag for those home owners that don't know about this.

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For Home Inspection services call Andy Shaw at Halton Home Inspection Service. 905 876 4761