What’s Lurking in Your Ducts?

by Maryam Shaikh Blogger by Passion

No one wants pests in their homes. That’s why we set traps and fill holes to prevent mice, insects, and other animals from getting into our houses. But many of us forget about the entryways we can't cover.

 

Ducts are a vital part of any home - they provide airflow and regulate temperature. Without them, we wouldn't be able to enjoy the convenience of modern heating and air conditioning. Unfortunately, the external entry and exit paths that allow fresh air into your home also make them vulnerable to vermin. Gross!

 

But there are coverings on these openings, right? Yes! This still doesn't mean your ducts are totally safe. Many insects are small enough to fit through vent covers. Some rodents and other small animals desperate for shelter will chew their way through barriers and other blocks designed to keep them out. And, if rodents are already in your home, they will be attracted to the warm air in ducts.

 

So what animals could get into your ducts, and what damage can they do?

 

It's common for pests to find their way into ducts. While many won't cause serious damage, they’re still inconvenient. For example, dust mites live in ducts where there is no shortage of dead skin and other sustenance for them. If you’re allergic to dust or dust mites (like many people are), this can cause health problems for you and your family.

 

Other insects like flies, mosquitoes and bees are also known to use ducts as a mode of transport throughout your home. These buzzing, stinging insects can quickly become a huge nuisance in your home. Bees can even establish hives inside of ducts that lead to severe structural damage to your home.

 

Spiders (even though they’re technically not insects) love the dark, secluded spaces that ducts provide. And their status as a bug super highway makes them an ideal feeding ground. While this is great for the spiders, an infestation can affect the air quality in Winnipeg and overall feeling of comfort in your home.

 

And it's not just insects hiding in your ducts. One of the most common animals found in ducts are field mice. They use it as a thoroughfare to make their way through your home and set up nests. Their waste and even dead bodies lead to unpleasant smells, and they can chew on wires and cause damage. Larger rodents like rats, chipmunks, and squirrels are big enough to cause dents and holes in your ducts that require extensive repairs.

 

There are even horror stories of more unusual encounters in ducts, including the remains of a fox, sheddings from a snake, and numerous species of birds!

 

So, what should you do if you suspect you have unwelcome visitors in your ducts? Don’t ignore it - the longer you wait to deal with it, the worse the damage (and potential effects to your family) will be. Here’s what to do to protect your health and your HVAC system:

 

1. Set traps or call in an exterminator.

 

Setting up traps in and around vents is a great way to determine if you have an infestation and to stop it from spreading. However, a professional exterminator will be able to tell you the extent of infestation and determine if further action is required.

 

2. Hire a professional duct cleaning company.

 

If you have been battling an infestation, it’s likely your ducts are filthy. To save you and your family from health hazards, you need to hire a reliable duct cleaning service that uses high quality equipment. These include tools like negative air machines and botanical sanitizers. Not only will these tools clean your ducts but they’ll remove pollutants and deeply sanitise them. This is crucial after an infestation because waste, eggs, smells, and other substances that are undetectable by people could encourage a re-infestation.

 

3. Take preventive steps to make sure it doesn’t happen again.

 

After getting rid of the infestation inside your home you’ll want to protect it from the outside. You should take a look around your house and fill any small holes or gaps. Professional duct cleaners can give you suggestions about where to install vent covers and how often to replace them. They may even suggest installing fine mesh covers over certain openings.

 

Yep, having something lurking in your ducts is really disgusting, but it happens. If you find yourself faced with this problem, take action and get those ducts deep-cleaned and adequately covered as soon as possible so that you won’t have to worry about these kinds of nasty visitors returning in the future. 

Sponsor Ads

• Ad Space Available - Rent it Now!

Created on Mar 9th 2023 02:54. Viewed 48 times.

Comments