Three Ways To Keep Rodents Out Of Your Air Ducts
Of all the places rodents can get into, your air ducts are among the most inconvenient. Rodents in your ducts can cause allergic reactions and sickness, and your ducts also give them easy access to just about anywhere in your house. Here are three ways to avoid an infestation like this.
Have Your Ducts Sealed and Cleaned
The first place to look when you've got rodents wandering your ducts is the ducts themselves, as one of the easiest ways for rodents to make their way inside is through small gaps or holes in the ductwork. If there are gaps in your ducts, it won't matter how tightly you seal everything else. Gaps in your ducts won't necessarily be obvious, but many rodents don't need a big space to fit through; many mice in particular only need a gap as wide as a dime to fit through. An exterminator and an HVAC technician can examine your ducts and patch up any gaps that might be allowing rodents though. As a bonus, you'll probably see savings on your energy bill as a result since air will no longer be escaping through the holes before making it into your house.
While you're at it, you should see if you need to have your ducts cleaned. Having rodents in your ducts can cause anything from allergic reactions to sickness as a result of excrement, so if you've already had an infestation, make sure your air quality won't be negatively affected.
Block Off Entry Points
While holes in your ducts are the main way rodents can get in, there are all sorts of places where loose seals, cracks, and gaps can let rodents into your home and, subsequently, your air ducts. While you probably won't seal off every single access point, you can make it much harder for pests and make your home too much effort to break into.
To start, check the vents in every room, especially if you have any floor vents. If the vent covers have widely spaced fins or grilles, rodents may be able to duck in and out whenever they please, so you might need to consider buying vents that make it harder for rodents to pass through. Many rodents also make their way in through the plumbing, and since your climate control system has a few drains, pipes, and vents, you can make sure any holes are covered with lath metal and that any pipes are sealed tight wherever they pass through walls rather than left to move around.
When in doubt, a residential pest control technician can inspect your home and tell you what areas need work. They're familiar with how rodents can work their way inside attics and HVAC systems and can give you suggestions on how to keep them out.
Use Traps or Poison
It's a little harder to use poisons as a simple deterrent against rodents like you can with many insects, but there are still tools you can use to keep rodents from getting into your air ducts rather than simply to take care of an infestation that's already there.
One of the most effective methods of keeping rodents at bay is through traps. These aren't always poisoned or deadly, but they can help catch rodents before they find their way into your ducts. You don't have to place the traps nearby, and it might even be a good idea to keep them away; if the traps are too close to openings in your ducts, the rodents might not always choose the traps.
Poisons can also help, though these should be used by a professional. Poisons aren't just for infestations; they can be used to keep nearby populations under control as well. Bait stations are popular and can keep out children and pets while letting rodents inside. They make using poison safer and can attract rodents away from important places. Make sure your specialist goes over a routine with you and either shows you how everything works or offers to come back every so often to check on the baits and replace them if necessary.
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