How a Simple Mistake Trapped Birds, Invited Maggots, and Cost a Family Thousands
One YouTube video. One roll of painter’s tape. Thousands in damage to a brand-new bathroom.
You know what they say: A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
Beth and her husband, John, had only been in their brand-new home for a month when things took a disturbing turn. What started as a few innocent chirps outside turned into a gut-wrenching cleanup involving dead birds, a fly infestation, and the overwhelming stench of decomposition inside their beautiful bathroom.
All because of a do-it-yourself video online.
When DIY Goes Off the Rails
It all started with the birds.
Beth noticed them fluttering around the exterior vent one morning while watering her flowers. A few days later, she could hear scratching noises in the walls. Alarmed, she told John, who took it upon himself to fix the problem.
Rather than call a wildlife professional, he turned to YouTube — the go-to for quick fixes and homeowner hacks. The video he watched offered a solution that seemed simple enough: tape a vent guard over the exterior bathroom exhaust using blue painter’s tape to keep the birds out.
That’s exactly what John did. But what he didn’t realize is that the “easy fix” made things exponentially worse.
A Sequence of Avoidable Mistakes
John didn’t check to see if any birds were already inside the vent. There were no precautions, no exit strategy, and no cleanup of the nesting material that had already been crammed into the duct.
As a result:
A family of starlings was trapped inside. Adults and chicks alike were sealed in with no way out. Within a few days, they starved to death.
The nest remained, clogging airflow and becoming a breeding ground for bacteria and insects.
The smell hit next. As temperatures rose, so did the humidity inside the vent — a perfect recipe for decomposition.
Then came the flies — drawn by the decay, laying eggs, and hatching maggots.
What Should Have Happened Instead
This isn’t a story about shame. It’s a story about prevention — and how calling a professional could have saved this family a fortune, not to mention the trauma of discovering maggots in their ceiling.
At Huntsman Wildlife Services, here’s what we would have done differently:
Proper Inspection First: We would have assessed the vent to confirm if it was active and determine what kind of wildlife was using it.
Ethical Eviction: If birds were present, we would have installed a one-way eviction system that allows animals to leave safely but not return.
Nest Removal: Nesting material blocks airflow and can harbor mites, bacteria, and feces. We would’ve removed nesting material to prevent damage and disease.
Sanitation and Deodorizing: Our team uses commercial-grade disinfectants and odor neutralizers to clean vents and eliminate lingering smells.
Permanent Wildlife-Resistant Covers: We install heavy-duty, tamper-resistant vent covers made of galvanized steel — not temporary fixes involving painter’s tape.
Full Home Wildlife Inspection: Every job includes an inspection of the rest of your home for vulnerable entry points to prevent future invasions
Why Starlings Target Bathroom Vents
It’s not just bad luck. Starlings are cavity nesters by nature, and bathroom exhaust vents are perfect substitutes for tree hollows — warm, hidden, and dry.
Left unprotected, vents are an open invitation. Once inside, they build large nests of twigs and debris that restrict airflow and can even lead to fire hazards. In some cases, the buildup causes bathroom fans to overheat or fail entirely.
Even worse, when birds die inside the vents, the decomposition attracts pests like blowflies, carpet beetles, and maggots. This isn’t just gross — it’s a health hazard.
The Big Lesson: Don’t Tape Over the Problem
We get it — it’s tempting to try a quick fix when you see birds fluttering near your home. YouTube is full of videos offering solutions that seem fast and easy. But when it comes to wildlife, those shortcuts can turn into long-term disasters.
Beth and John learned the hard way.
You don’t have to.
Huntsman Wildlife Can Help
We offer:
Professional, wildlife-proof exhaust vent covers designed to block birds, rodents, reptiles, and squirrels.
Ethical removal and eviction services to keep your home and family safe.
Full sanitization and deodorization after removal to restore air quality and comfort.
Whole-home inspections to catch vulnerabilities before they lead to bigger problems.
We’ve seen too many homeowners suffer through avoidable damage and heartbreak just because they didn’t know what to look for — or trusted the wrong advice.
Take Action Before It’s Too Late
If you’re seeing birds around your vents, hearing noises in your walls, or noticing strange smells near ceiling fans or bathroom vents — don’t wait.
Contact Huntsman Wildlife today and schedule a full home inspection.
We’ll check your vents, seal potential entry points, and make sure your home stays your sanctuary — not a nesting site.
Because some things are better left to the pros. Especially when lives (yours and your property) are on the line.
*Written by Jake Allen (Customer Acquisition Specialist)