Pests – from roaches or smaller up to cats, raccoons and opossums – can fit into a vent. Then, pests can make the inside of your HVAC system their home. Animals can cause damage to get into a part of your heating and cooling system. They can harm or ruin how your HVAC system works. They can cause health and safety hazards for you and your family.

Mice, rodents, all types and sizes of insects, spiders, snakes, cats, squirrels, opossums and raccoons are some of the animals that can create major problems in a home HVAC system. The damage that’s possible is to the HVAC or any other part of your house. They can damage parts, chew wires, leave feces and waste, die inside a part of your house, create health issues and more.

Animal damage commonly requires significant HVAC repair services. With pests inside your heating and cooling system, specifically, if they have the ability to get in the air duct system, you are most likely to experience foul odors inside the home as well as might be subjected to illness brought by these animals.

After a pest infiltration in your HVAC system, you need to have your vents and other components cleaned to remove droppings and matter left behind. Have your HVAC system extensively examined by a professional to identify component damages and guarantee repair services are made to stay clear of more troubles with your heating and cooling system.

Snakes, Lizards, Frogs

During cool weather, snakes and other cold-blooded creatures find warm places and shelter. They will form a nest in ducts and vents. This also means they could reproduce there. They may additionally coil themselves into condenser units since they’re drawn to its heat. When the fan blades start, the snake dies. The animal can damage the fan blades or other parts. Then, you have a dead animal in the condenser unit or other parts of the HVAC.

You can make your house as uninviting as possible to snakes. Keep your grass mowed and your yard weed free. Furthermore, don’t leave any spots in your yard that could seem like good hiding, hunting or nesting places for snakes. If you’re still worried, sprinkle sulfur powder around the boundary of your property. It prevents snakes.

Cockroaches

Cockroaches can fit into the smallest cracks or spaces in venting, a duct or a wall. They like dark, cool spaces. Sometimes, this means they’ll like to nest in ductwork. They might not trigger much damage, but you might hear them as they move. The biggest concern is cockroaches carry diseases. No one wants roaches in their house.

Professional extermination can get rid of the issue. An insect control company will use insecticide so you do not have to deal with the cockroaches. However, you need to stay on par with your heating and cooling system maintenance to avoid this problem in the first place or any reinfestation.

Spiders

Like roaches, spiders can get into and through very small spaces. They might get into your ductwork, vents and house if you don’t maintain and clean those areas effectively. While spiders do not create damage to your a/c system, they can be a health hazard. Additionally, some spiders are poisonous.

You can use pesticides to keep spiders away. Unlike roaches, most spiders live singular lives, so you might only have one or two intruders instead of a major infestation. If you’re worried about spiders, depend on experts. We can additionally clean your ducts and vents to ensure no insects stay in those spaces.

Rodents

Rats and mice can get into tight areas. Then, they can cause substantial damage to your cooling and heating system. They can often nest in ducts. They can even use insulation or duct material to make the nest. Rodents can eat through refrigerant lines and other parts.

Once you’re at the point of a rat in a vent, an exterminator can get rid of the pests. Having good, routine HVAC maintenance will help you not have the problem in the first place.

Squirrels, Raccoons

Bigger animals can create damage similar to mice. One positive is  they’re easier to hear when they are in your attic or ductwork. Call a professional pest control company to trap and remove the animal. The next step is cleaning your ductwork to eliminate any waste or other mess the animal may have left. If squirrels or raccoons chew your ductwork, it will need to be repaired or replaced. Holes in your ducts allow warm and cool air to escape, which will increase your energy bill a lot. Ignoring the repair work will make your HVAC system use more power.

Signs You Have Pests in Your HVAC

Animals in your heating or cooling system parts leave signs which are obvious most of the time. Definite signs are:

• Foul odors – This could be droppings, what an animal is eating, or a dead animal.
• Hearing the animal move – The animals move around in your HVAC system or even other parts of the house like attics, ceilings, walls and crawl spaces.
• Openings that are easy for animals – Flexible ductwork is particularly susceptible to being chewed and clawed, then having a hole big enough for an animal. Pests can get into your home through holes anywhere, even along the foundation.

How to Prevent Animals from Getting In

The best means to stop a pest problem is prevention. You can follow the following steps:

• Check your house for entry points. If you see openings along your structure, seal them.
• Check open ducts in areas such as crawl space, attics and basements. If there are any cracks, openings, or detached sections, an animal can get in. Fix broken ducts right away.

At South End Heating and Air we specialize in HVAC and furnace repair, call us for a free consult. We’ll evaluate your system and help make recommendations for optimum value. After all, we want to keep you cool all summer long and warm in the winter. Just schedule a visit with one of our technicians to talk about how we can help with your heating needs. Would you like to learn more options our techs can help you with? Give us a call 704-684-5339.