Dealing with Air Duct Pest Infestation
11/22/2015 Back To BlogEven though modern homes are made to be strong and durable, they are exposed to a variety of threats. Pests are among the most serious dangers. This is because they can easily get inside and cause a considerable amount of damage without being noticed. Furthermore, they are often hard to get rid of since they reproduce very quickly. One of the places where pests are likely to setup is the ductwork of the HVAC system. Infestation can occur even with regular air duct maintenance. The important thing is to act quickly and to take all of the required measures for eliminating the problem completely.
Pest Removal and Full Ventilation Cleaning
For many people, the infestation is not easy to notice in the first place. That is why you should be watchful at all times. The most common signs of infested air ducts include unpleasant odor coming from the vents and strange sounds such as scratching. When the time for air filter replacement comes, you will most certainly see strange dirt on the surface. You must take action immediately after recognizing the problem.
The first step that has to be taken for resolving the issue is the extermination of all pests in all of their forms including eggs, larvae and so on. The measures that have to be taken depend on the animals inside. Different approaches are used for getting rid of termites and ants, on one side, and for rodents, on the other. It usually does not take long for the measures to take effect as long as they are appropriate. Still, you must delay the air duct cleaning until the last animal has been removed. Otherwise, all the work done will be in vain. Get confirmation that everything necessary is done for preventing future infestation before you initiate the cleaning.
The ductwork has to be checked for damage as part of the next step. Pests have got inside through tiny or fairly large holes that have to be fixed. The air duct repair usually involves the restoration of the sealing for best results. The condition of the passages must be completely restored. There should not be any entryways for pests and contaminants.
The cleaning process will remove all of the contaminants inside the ductwork and other components of the HVAC system that have been affected. These include urine and droppings plus any mold and mildew present inside. Dust, dirt and pollen will also be removed. The surfaces will become perfectly clean. For best results, the air filters will be replaced with new ones.
Once all the work is done, you will enjoy maximum safety and comfort.