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02.12.2024
Brooke Kirshne
Having rodents in your air ducts is a problem you can’t ignore. You cannot overlook the issue of rats in your air ducts. If left unchecked, these undesirable pests can cause major problems for your house and health. The hair, urine, and waste that rodents leave behind can harm the air that circulates throughout your living space. As a result, you and your family may get allergies or other respiratory issues. Along with health concerns, rodents also bring strong, unpleasant odors that spread through your vents, making your living space uncomfortable.
By chewing through ducts, wiring, and insulation, these rodents can harm your HVAC system, resulting in expensive repairs and decreased system performance. If you do not check this problem, then the situation may worsen and eventually lead to even more serious issues. So it's important to take steps to resolve the problem as soon as you see signs of rats in your ducts. Quick action ensures that the cooling and heating system works properly, and as a result, your home remains clean, and you breathe fresh and clean air all day long.
Signs of Rodents in Air Ducts
You should look for clear signs of rats in your air ducts before taking any action to get rid of them. Rodents frequently leave behind proof that might help you identify the issue early and take immediate action. Here are some common signs through which you can know that there are rodents present in your air ducts:
- Unusual Noise: It's a clear sign that rodents are present in your ducts if you begin to hear scratching or crawling noises, especially at night when everything is silent. These sounds are usually created at the time when rodents are making nests or moving around in the air ducts.
- Bad Smell: Another sign through which you can locate that there are ducts present is through an unpleasant or musty smell. This smell usually occurs when In case any rodent dies in your duct, and as you run your HVAC system, the smell starts spreading in your indoor spaces.
- Droppings Near Vents: If you see tiny black droppings inside your ducts or around your vents, then it's clear evidence that rodents are present in the air ducts. One of the simplest methods to identify a pest problem is to look for these droppings, which are frequently around the size of a rice grain.
- Chewed Or Damaged Insulation: One of the favorite activities of rodents is to chew so if they’re in your ducts, they might chew through insulation or other parts of the ductwork. Your ducts may have been occupied by rodents if you see holes or torn insulation all around your ducts. Your ducts may have been occupied by rodents if you see holes or torn insulation all around.
- Increased Allergy Or Breathing Problems: Rodent droppings, urine, and fur can affect your air quality, causing allergies or breathing problems for you and your family. If you notice sneezing, coughing, or other allergy symptoms, it could be from rodents present in your ducts.
Steps To Remove Rodents From Air Ducts
Once you are sure that rodents are present in the ducts, it becomes important to remove them since they can cause serious health issues. Here are the steps that you can follow to remove rodents from the duct.
1. Turn Off The HVAC System
The first and most important step is to turn off your HVAC system. This is an important step to keep you safe when you are working with the ducts. The ducts can be hot or cold based on the temperature you are running your HVAC system so make sure you turn off the system and wait so that it returns to normal temperature.
2. Inspect The Ductwork Thoroughly
When you check your air ducts, it is very important that you use a flashlight so that you clearly and completely check what is inside your air ducts. If rodents are present, then you will be able to see the evidence, such as nests, droppings, or even live rodents. While you are inspecting the ducts, check for the damage that has been caused by the rodents, which can be holes and gaps where nests may be created. By doing this detailed inspection, you will be able to know about the exact damage caused by rodents.
3. Remove Rodents Safely
In case you find live rats or any other rodent inside the duct then you can use a rat trapper to capture and release it outside in the open area. But in case you find a dead rodent you need to wear gloves and then take them out of the ducts. After this, you can dispose of them properly. Do not touch them directly as it may cause you health problems or reactions. So you can remove these rodents carefully and maintain the health of your family and your home.
4. Seal Off Entry Points
After properly removing the rodents from the ducts, now you need to check for the holes, cracks, and gaps present in your air ducts. Rodents might have entered your ducts through these tiny openings, so now it's important to seal all these openings. You can use materials like mastic sealant, spray foam, and metal tape to seal your air ducts and prevent new rodents from getting in. Sealing these entry points is one of the most important steps to keep rodents from coming back in the future.
5. Clean The Air Ducts Properly
Once you properly clean your air ducts, now the next step is to clean these air ducts. You need to properly clean your air ducts so that there are no droppings, fur, or any other debris left inside. For cleaning purposes, you can use a vacuum and then a disinfectant spray so that all the germs and bacteria are killed. By removing all the particles left behind, you can create a healthy and safe environment for you and your family. Once you properly clean your air ducts, the air quality inside your home is improved and upgraded.
6. Replace the Air Filters
As rodents were present in your air ducts then there are chances that the air filter may be clogged due to the rodent's droppings, fur, or dust and debris present in the surroundings. So in such cases replacing your air filter is needed. You can choose a high-quality air filter with a high MERV rating since the higher the MERV rating the more efficient the air filter is at capturing dust particles. Replacing the filters ensures that the air in your indoor space stays clean and your HVAC system works efficiently.
7. Test the HVAC System
Once you have cleaned the ducts and replaced the air filter, now it is time to test your HVAC system's performance. So now you need to switch on your system and check for the system’s functioning. You need to check that now there are no unusual sounds or smells coming from your system. Along with this, you can check for the airflow level and the system’s efficiency at capturing the particles. Overall, it's essential to test your system to ensure that it's operating properly and is supplying clean and fresh air in your living area.
Conclusion
It's important to act quickly if you find that rodents have entered your air ducts since immediate action will help you to prevent health issues, harm to your HVAC system, and more airborne contaminants in your indoor space. Start by searching for any symptoms that can indicate the presence of rodents in air ducts. Some of the signs through which you can indicate are droppings, unpleasant smells, or unusual noises. If you have proof that they are present, contact a pest control expert who can safely remove the rodents and seal any openings or cracks they may have found.
To remove any dirt, germs, or allergens that the rodents may have left behind, it is essential that the air ducts are completely cleaned once the rodents have left. So if you want to maintain your home's safety and air quality, you need to do routine maintenance and inspections, as these inspections can help you prevent future damage. In case you are looking for an air filter, then you can contact Custom Filters Direct, as we have a huge variety of air filters present. There are standard and customized air filters available, so you can choose one that completely fits your system. For more information, you can contact us at (877) 556-2862.
