Hope someone can help. I have a micro-hood over my range which vents outside. I've discovered some birds have moved in through that vent opening and have built a nest right where the venting starts at the microwave. At least that's where the sounds are coming from. What can I do? Thanks.

This is common. You need to get a coat hanger or something and clean out the pipe. Also I used duct tape on the flap, put on both sides and stick together leave about 4 or 5 inches long and the bird can't open your flap but it will open when the fan is on.

Just stick a shotgun barrel up the pipe a let er rip! That's how we take care of unwanted critters in Idaho.

HI,
I second the idea of using a coat hanger, or longer type of wire, if needed to clean it out, then modifying the opening.

Get some expanded mesh, best type stainless steel avail at like restaurant supply stores, shape to fit inside of the exhaust with the cut edges pushed down into the vent to prevent it from shifting.

I have been out of town so haven't had a chance to try this but wanted to add that it's about 16 feet from the nest to the outside wall where they entered. Plus, from the sounds I believe the birds entered to vent and then built the nest down, right on top of the micro. So it's kind of a "J" shape, not a straight shot (no pun intended) to get to it with a wire.

Any other ideas? Thanks.

Try running a shop vac narrow hose and vacuum the contents from the out side of your house to avoid a big mess or if you don't want to do it hire a duct cleaning company to clean out the vent pipe. Then follow the above advise for inserting wire mesh screening just under the flaps. This also works great for keeping mice from entering the same vent.