How To Keep Pests Out Of Your Heating And Cooling System

You certainly don't want to share your home with rats, mice, cockroaches, or other pests. While keeping your doors closed and your garbage picked up will go a long way towards keeping pests out of your home, you must also turn your attention to your heating and cooling system. If you're not careful, it can turn into a entry point and safety point for these pests. Here are four ways to keep pests from invading your HVAC system.

Keep screens over vent pipes and chimneys.

Whether your furnace and air conditioner vent out of a chimney or a plastic pipe, make sure there's a mesh or wire cover over the end of that pipe to keep mice or other rodents from entering. If you check your vent pipe and find that there is not a cover, you can purchase one at a local hardware store. Rubber banding some wire mesh over the end of the vent pipe is a good temporary solution. If you have a chimney, you may need to climb on the roof to ensure it has a proper cap. Your HVAC or roofing company can fit it for a cap if yours is missing or has a large hole in it.

Have your ducts sealed.

Over time, the ducts in your home may shift, leaving tiny gaps between connecting pipes. Not only does this waste energy, as it allows heated or cool air to seep out, but it also allows bugs entry into your ductwork where they can thrive in the dust and warmth. If you've noticed that your energy bills have increased or that airflow from a certain vent is minimal, these are signs you may have a gap in your ducts that needs addressing. Your HVAC tech can seal the duct using epoxy or duct tape.

Keep moisture levels down.

If your home is overly humid, that humidity will especially build up in your ductwork. If there's even the slightest gap where insects can enter the ducts, they'll thrive and multiply in the moist environment. Install a dehumidifier, and set it to run whenever your home's partial humidity increases above the ideal 50%.

Trim around the outdoor unit.

Make sure you cut down weeds and brush near your outdoor air conditioning unit. If you allow these plants to grow up around the unit, they'll make it the perfect hiding place for pests. Also make sure you cover the unit with a proper AC cover during the winter to keep rodents from seeking cover inside it.

For more information about maintaining your HVAC system to avoid unwanted pests, contact a service company like D & R Service Inc, and with local pest control experts. 

Share