February 24, 2022
This one is sure to get your attention! Bugs could be getting into your home through ducts and vents. Read on to learn how to prevent this!
If you have a bug problem in your home, there’s a surprisingly big chance that ducts and vents are the culprit. Yes, the other big way that creepy crawlies get into your home is through an unsealed front door, or through cracks in your walls/foundation, but bugs can also get in through your air ducts and vents. And yes, we’re talking about more than just ants here – we’re talking roaches and other big household pests.
Of course, your next question probably is, how the heck would bugs get in this way, if your vents are properly covered and sealed?
Well … are you quite sure your vents are covered and sealed? As you might already know, there are several vent openings outside your home.
Walking around the perimeter, you’ll see intake vents. These vents allow fresh air into your home, and they are taking in air regardless of whether you’re currently running your AC or furnace.
You’ll also see exhaust vents. There are many different exhaust vents: your bathroom fan, the range hood in your kitchen, and your dryer all have exhaust vents to let this air leave your home. Another kind of exhaust vent is the one that lets CO2 produced by your furnace out, so that the CO2 doesn’t get into your home.
So the problem here is, of course, an uncovered vent. If you walk around outside your house and see that a vent is not properly covered by a screen (maybe the screen has fallen off, or even been chewed on by pests!), that’s exactly how bugs get in.
In some cases, even bigger pests can get in: would you rather be living with bugs or with a giant rat? Hopefully, you never have to answer that question!
Vent screens are also useful for keeping dirt and other debris out of your home’s air ducts.
Luckily, fixing this problem is simple. You just need to visit your local hardware store in Phoenix or Tucson, and pick up a piece of screen/mesh that fits into the hole. Voila, problem solved!
* Hats off to all you DIYers out there! At Parker & Sons, we love to see our customers taking pride in their homes. That said, home service professionals are 'professionals' for a reason. The information provided in this blog post is for educational purposes only. Parker & Sons is not liable for any injuries or damages resulting from attempting these DIY projects. By following these instructions, you assume all risks. For projects involving electrical, plumbing, or HVAC systems, consult a professional. Use this information at your own risk.
If you still have questions about your ductwork, or you suspect that something is wrong with your home ventilation, you can always rely on the pros at Parker & Sons. We may not be exterminators here, but we do everything else! From heating and cooling to air quality, plumbing, and electrical.
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