Are There Critters Creeping in Your HVAC?

As we head into fall and winter, most Arizona residents are thankful they live in a climate that stays warm. People love the warm, sunny weather – but so do a wide variety of critters. You may not like scorpions, spiders and snakes, but they don’t know that. They’re likely to crawl into interior spaces you wouldn’t prefer to share with them, including your heating and cooling system.

SCORPIONS

These predatory little pests can get into your home through leaking vent openings, leaking pipes, or cracks around your foundation. They like to hide in cool dark places and are not averse to seeking shelter and water inside your home. To help keep these critters at bay:

• Be sure to seal all cracks around your foundation and in your ductwork.
• Put steel mesh over all vent openings to the outside.

SPIDERS

Spiders, especially tarantulas, are a common critter in desert areas. They’re hairy, scary, and pack a venomous punch. They can creep into your house through the same openings as scorpions, but you’re more likely to find them inside your air conditioning condenser.

• Make sure you keep that area swept clean and keep all foliage at least 2 feet away.

SNAKES

Rattlesnakes (any snakes) are also candidates for hanging out inside your AC condenser. They are attracted to the heat and don’t consider the danger of the fan blade. Not only are they a danger to you, but also your equipment if one gets caught in the blades and ends up damaging the unit.

• Let trained HVAC technicians do regular inspections to keep your condenser free of these dangers.

COCKROACHES

As a bonus, cockroaches can get just about anywhere, including your ductwork. German roaches and brown-banded roaches are common in this area and while they aren’t likely to damage your ductwork, having them in there can be problematic from a health standpoint. They carry diseases, including diarrhea, dysentery, typhoid fever, and cholera and you don’t want them sharing your space. If they do infest your ducts:

• Have a professional pest control agent get rid of them rather than spraying them yourself inside the ductwork; those chemicals can be distributed throughout the house the next time the HVAC goes on, polluting your interior air.

The best way to deal with these creepy critters is to prevent them from entering in the first place. Consider maintenance with a trusted local HVAC company to keep your heating and cooling equipment in top working order, and critter free.