As a homeowner, one of the last things you want to find out is that your home has been invaded by bugs and rodents.
These types of pests need to stay out of doors, where they belong.
One way you can help to make sure that they stay that way is to make sure that you are properly using your air ducts and insulation to keep them out.
Set Traps To Catch Rodents In Your Ducts
Pests will use the dark corners of the home as a type of transit system to get from one part of your house to another. While you may not think of your fireplace, exhaust vent or the attic as being places where unwanted visitors can congregate, these critters can and do gather there. The heating and cooling ducts form an easy and convenient way for them to get from place to place.
You can choose to seal off your air ducts. But before doing this you’ll have to make sure that you remove any rodents which are currently in your ductwork. Turn off your heating or air conditioning system. Once the grates are cooled down completely, remove the covering on the heating vents and place loaded snap traps in each vent.
Place the bait end of the trap inside the duct so that it touches the wall to form a “T” shape. This strategy will keep the trap away from young children and target the mice. Replace the vent grates and run the heat as you normally do.
Check the mouse traps each morning by using a flashlight to look into the vent slats to see if you have caught anything. Use protective gloves to remove the mouse and seal it in a plastic zipper storage bag for disposal. Wash your hands thoroughly with an antibacterial soap afterward.
Continue trapping and disposing of mice until you feel confident that you have gotten rid of all of them.
Have Your Ducts Inspected For Leaks
Along with keeping pests out, there are other benefits of duct sealing. You will definitely want to inspect your ducts for leaks. Once all leaks are found and sealed, you may find that you are using less energy because your system is working more efficiently. As a result, you will save money on your heating and cooling bill.
Check Other Parts Of Your Home For Entry Points
If you currently have regular insulation in your attic area, you may want to consider replacing it with blown-in fiberglass insulation. This product fills the entire space, leaving no gaps or voids for cold or hot air or mice to penetrate.
Block other entry points in your home to keep pests from getting in again. Look for gaps and holes around doors and window frames, wall junctures, fireplaces and pipes. Get into your attic and look under roof rafters for small holes which can be points of entry. Secure them with fine wire mesh to keep mice out of your home.
Duct Cleaning And Insulation Services In AZ
We offer full duct cleaning and the highly-recommended blown-in fiberglass insulation in AZ. Have questions? Call us now for help or to schedule an appointment!