If your unit has vulnerable points of entry, raccoons, rats, mice and insects can enter it and cause destruction by nesting and leaving droppings, chewing on components, and of course, there’s always the possibility of a pest dying within the system. This can be particularly rough to deal with as the foul smell will permeate throughout your entire home. To make matters worse, you’ve still got to extract the dead pest somehow, without causing more damage to your unit. Avoid hassle and keep pests of out of your HVAC system by following these helpful tips.
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Keep the area around your system clear.
High grass, debris and excrement attract vermin to the area. Maintaining your yard and especially the area surrounding your AC unit will help to deter animals from making a home on your property. Pull up any weeds around your system, and if you have trees or bushes nearby, make sure there’s a 2-feet clearance. Last week, we talked about the importance of keeping this clearance to prevent damage to your system. Lucky for you, it’s also an effective tool for thwarting pests. Bushes make great nests for animals, and if they happen to make their home in one that’s right up against your system, it’s only a matter of time before they attempt to get inside it.
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Address excessive moisture problems right away.
Standing water is another factor that lures pests to your system. This is because animals need water to survive. If you notice a small puddle of condensation by the drain pipe, it’s not a cause for concern. This is normal during operation, especially when it’s particularly hot or humid. However, if your system continues leaking even when the AC is not on, then we recommend calling a licensed HVAC professional.
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Ensure your ductwork and vents are properly sealed.
Pests are sly, and if there’s a small gap or crack in your ductwork or vents, they’ll find a way to get through it and into your home. You’ll want to check both your attic and dryer vents for vulnerable areas. Likewise, we recommend having an expert technician inspect and clean your ductworkto ensure it’s up to par. Doing so will not only prevent pests from entering your home and causing harm, you’ll also prevent cooling and heating loss.
With the right measures in place, you can keep pests out of your HVAC system. If pests have already invaded your system, call a pest control technician as soon as possible as well as Freedom Air and Heat so that comfort and peace of mind can be restored to your home quickly! Give us a call at (321)-631-6886or (772)-778-2272.
