Are you worried about the quality of your indoor air and the overall condition of your home’s HVAC system? Pest proofing your HVAC system is an easy way to manage the quality of the air and prevent infestations from taking over your home. Fortunately, this process doesn’t have to be difficult, though it may require the assistance of experts.
Keep your home in great shape with some of these tips to prevent insects and small rodents from moving into your HVAC system:
Clear Around Outdoor Units
Many people have an outdoor unit that’s responsible for keeping their home comfortable and cool. Too often, these units are not tended throughout the year when the rest of the yard work is completed. Regularly clearing away debris and vegetation from around the unit eliminates the places that pests may call home. You may even want to cover your unit during the colder times of the year when pests will be looking for warmth.
Seal Ducts and Vents
If you have gaps and cracks in your ductwork, it’s an easy entry point for both insects and rodents like mice or rats. Homeowners who haven’t had their ductwork inspected in a while may want to consider hiring an HVAC company to come in and take a closer look. They can also help you seal up any areas that could be letting in pests.
Additionally, you should make sure to seal vents and other entry points. This can include your doors and windows, as well as any other areas where you notice that pests could be coming in. Once they are already in your home, it will be easy for them to make themselves comfortable in your HVAC system and impact your indoor air quality.
Clean the Home Thoroughly
For many homeowners, a pest infestation may be an inevitability if some of these precautions aren’t taken promptly. When pests have already made their home in your HVAC system, you will need to thoroughly clean up the mess they left once the issue is eliminated.
Beyond just offering you better indoor air quality, a thorough cleaning also makes it less likely that other pests will move in later on. Pests who see droppings, dead bugs, and similar gifts that other pests have left behind will be more likely to view your home as the ideal new space to move into.
Regular Inspections
Last but not least, the best way to make sure your HVAC system is pest-proof is to sign up for regular inspections with a local HVAC company. A technician will not only take the time to make sure your unit is in great shape, but they’ll also be able to identify any current infestations in or around the system that you may not have noticed yet.
