The inside of your home can be a very tempting place for bugs and pests to seek refuge when winter temperatures drop or summer heat swelters. Unfortunately, that includes your HVAC system. Bugs can work their way in from your outdoor unit and into your ductwork, then all throughout your home. Once they make their way in, they can invade your space, track in dirt and germs, and wreak havoc on your system and home.
Here are eight simple, preventative measures you can take to keep your home free of these nuisances.
1. Keep Landscaping Neat
The outside of your home is the first point of entry for pests and bugs. An easy way to deter them from hanging out is to keep the landscaping around your home and outdoor unit neat and clean. Try to keep shrubs and bushes at least three feet away from your HVAC equipment to prevent the bugs from trekking into your heating and cooling system(s). Consider installing a rock garden around the unit if you prefer to hide or camouflage it from street view.
2. Keep Gutters Clean
Leaves and other debris collect easily in the spring and fall in your gutters making it even more attractive for bugs. Be sure to clean your gutters regularly if you are the DIY-type, or have a professional do it at least bi-annually. An easy reminder to have this done is when you schedule your annual heater tune-up and annual AC tune-up.
3. Seal Any Openings
Explore the foundation of your home and check for any cracks, gaps, or holes. Seal any cracks with the appropriate material like drywall, stucco, or grout. Also, be sure to check the area around your furnace inlet and exhaust pipes and fill those holes with a mesh screen or hardware cloth. Lastly, another easy entrance is windows and doors. Inspect them for any tears in the screens and repair them.
4. Standing Water
Excess water or condensation may gather around the outdoor condenser acting as a freshwater source attracting pests -- especially cockroaches. This leakage may not necessarily cause damage to your home, but it may be another possible invitation for pests. Check to make sure this water has proper drainage and airflow.
5. Seal Air Ducts
Properly sealing your ductwork is an easy way to ensure pests aren’t entering your home. Even a tiny crack in the seal can result in an infestation. By taking the time to seal the ducts, you are not only keeping bugs out but also helping to keep your utility bills at a lower cost. This is because openings let the air escape, meaning less is being sent where you want it. In other words, sealing your ducts is a win-win!
6. Keep a Tidy Home
These tips are somewhat simple and self-explanatory but are helpful nonetheless. Keep a tidy home by dusting and vacuuming regularly. Use trash cans with secure lids. Keep your food stored in sealable containers. Wipe the floor grates regularly when cleaning and wash them down once a year with soap and water. Maintaining a clean home in these various ways will help keep bugs outdoors.
7. Have a Professional Exterminator Help
If all of these tips haven’t helped and you are still getting bugs inside your HVAC system, call a professional exterminator. Do not spray anything into the vents. These harmful chemicals will flow into your ductwork and into your home.
8. Schedule Regular Maintenance for the Unit
Lastly, but definitely not least, is to be sure to schedule regular HVAC maintenance. Your technician will change the filters, which helps keep the components clean and results in better air quality. By scheduling your annual heater tune-up or air conditioning tune-up, you will also keep your system running at its prime efficiency.
No one wants to be bothered by pests, especially when they're in your home's HVAC system; but by following these simple steps, it can be easy to keep bugs out and keep the comfort in!
If you live in the Delaware Valley/Greater Philadelphia area and would like to find comfort within your home, visit our website or give us a call at 215 - 245 - 3200 to learn more.
