Steps to Take If Rodents Are in Your Air Ducts

Mice and even rats can look adorable in a pet store. Don't let their cleaned-up appearance fool you, though. In the wild, they are pests. And just like any pests, they can get into your home to plague you. Granted, that's not their intention - they're just trying to survive. However, a rodent infestation can be a problem.

One entrance for them is your system of air ducts. A single rodent in your air duct system might not be immediately apparent. However, as they build their home and reproduce in the air ducts, they can cause health issues. Follow the steps below if you think you have rodents in your air duct system.

Ascertain That You Do, Indeed, Have Rodents

Your first step is to determine if rodents have, indeed, infested your air ducts. Have a look at your outdoor vent first. The vent should feature a grate or louvers or another system to prevent pests from entering. Even if the cover is intact, examine the vent itself. Look for signs of blowflies, which will appear if a rodent (or another animal) has died inside your vents.

Speaking of dead rodents in your vent, a foul smell emanating from your ducts is another sign you might have an infestation. Even if none of the pests have died and started decomposing, you may smell a pungent odor. This odor indicates rodents have been urinating in your ducts.

You can also remove the vent covers and look inside your ducts. You may see the rodents themselves, but you're more likely to see evidence of their inhabitation. You might even see a nest, which rodents make out of any loose material they can get their paws on. Insulation is a favorite material. Look also for their feces, which will look like little brown pellets.

Get Rid of the Rodents

The next step is an important one - you must get rid of the rodents. Several diseases are associated with rodents, spread by physical contact, bites, and their bodily waste, so you want to eliminate them from your air ducts.

If you think the infestation is small, you can try to get rid of the rodents yourself. You'll have to turn off your HVAC system and remove all the vent covers. You'll need to load a trap for each vent. Most do-it-yourself-ers use snap traps baited with peanut butter, meat, or cheese. Place the trap just inside the vent and wait. You should check daily for rodent carcasses and replace the traps every day.

For bigger infestations, or to solve the problem more quickly, call for professional extermination.

Have Your Air Ducts Cleaned and Repaired

Even after the rodents are gone, your air ducts will be contaminated with their remnants, which include hair, urine, and feces, so you'll need to have your air ducts cleaned. You can try this project yourself, but a professional cleaning will be a more reliable method of eliminating those remnants.

Professional duct cleaners have different methods at their disposal. However, industry associations have set standards that they must meet, so you know you'll get a good cleaning. Professionals use tools to dislodge debris. They then use a high-powered vacuum to remove the debris. They may also apply chemical biocides to kill remaining contaminants left behind by the rodents.

Most professionals can also repair your air ducts if necessary. If you had a rodent infestation, the structure of the duct system will have some issues. The professionals can replace the exterior vent protector - ask about rodent-proof varieties. They'll also examine the entire system and fix any broken seals or holes. Therefore, future rodents won't have entrances to your air ducts.

Don't let rodents live rent-free, or at all, in your air ducts. Get rid of the pests, and call Carolina Ductmasters for cleaning and repair of your duct system.