Sunday 23 October 2016

How to pest-proof HVAC components?

Troublesome pests are a problem businesses and homeowner’s battle all the time. Termites can destroy the very structure of your building or house, ants persistently invade your interiors, raccoons tear into your attic, and wasps can create nests!

While the right pest control strategy can help protect areas of the house or building and keep pests at bay, one of the paths that pests can take is usually overlooked: your HVAC system. By pest proofing the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system components, you can make sure the pests remain out of your house, preventing any damage to equipment, and protecting everyone from health hazards.

Prevent any kind of pest infestations by taking steps that ensure your HVAC system and its many components are well protected.

Seal the ducts

Cracks, gaps, and larger disconnections within the duct system can create access points for pests to enter the unit and your home or office building. Mice, insects, and larger vermin could enter the system, depending on how big the air leaks are.

Not only do pests inside your ducts cause destruction to the ductwork, they can also lead to serious issues with indoor air quality. Dander and excrement left behind can spread into the interiors as conditioned air flows through the duct system, causing several health hazards to residents.

Treating the problem by using pest poison is not an ideal strategy for infestation. While it can destroy the pest, they are likely die and decay in the duct system. A decaying rodent within the ductwork can cause bad odors, and locating the carcass can be a challenge. 

The best option is to lay a trap if you feel your ductwork has been infested. Live traps can easily be set within the ducts to capture larger pests such as, rats and mice, so that you can get rid of them easily. Glue traps can be utilized for catching insects. It is important to seal the ductwork professionally. Duct cleaning can help remove dead pests and the debris that has been left behind to enhance the quality of indoor air.

Installing vent or flue covers 

It is important to install vent covers on all exterior intakes, flues, and exhaust vents. The covers will help block entry points, preventing any form of infestation. These covers also have added benefits, such as keeping rain water away from the vents. However, make sure the vent covers are securely installed.

Protect the AC condenser

One of the best ways of protecting a condenser is by preventing rodents from getting near it. Make sure you keep the surrounding areas clean. Use a mild soap and warm water to scrub the unit’s exterior and the surrounding areas.

A reliable HVAC professional can assist and advise you as you work towards pest-proofing your system, and provide the required repairs, in case pests have led to damage within the HVAC unit.