Animal In Heating Vent

We have found birds mice rats and twice a raccoon and a dead cat in ductwork.

Animal in heating vent.

Rats squirrels and raccoons the biggest critter catastrophe that your ductwork can run into is from rodents such as rats squirrels opossums and from raccoons. If you ve got ducts under the house it s possible for an animal like a raccoon or opossum pictured above to either rip their way into the duct or take advantage of an opening in the duct. It will not harm your vents. A dead animal is occasionally found in building duct work or in the air handler itself.

When the heater runs it forces that bad smell into the house. Confirming that there are rodents in your air ducts is pretty easy. Many times wild animals such as birds or even squirrels enter your home in order to avoid the summer heat or stormy weather outside and they end up becoming trapped inside. When an animal enters your hvac ductwork and dies the rotting smell is circulated throughout your home whenever the system is running.

If so carefully remove the vent cover and use a flashlight to peer inside. The smell is often the first sign people receive alerting them of the dead rodent. This will prevent rodents birds bats and other creatures from getting inside the only necessary openings in your home or business s ductwork. These devices run on an ac plug or batteries and emit a high frequency sound that humans can t hear but the kinds of animals that find air ducts cozy absolutely hate.

Cover vent openings with a wire mesh cover 16 gauge 18 gauge or 22 gauge works best. Consider purchasing an ultrasonic animal repeller to keep animals away from your home. It may be that your sense of smell will lead you directly to a specific hvac vent in your home. If you can see the animal you can proceed.

But it s actually not too common. Not only does the mouse cause a foul odor but it can also attract gnats and flies. When a mouse dies in a vent it stinks. Let s take a look at how animals can give your hvac system a hard time.

Signs there s an animal stuck in your ac. Rodents hate the smell of natural peppermint oil this remedy smell wonderful and they hate it. If they re alive you ll hear scratching sounds inside your walls or above your ceiling as they scurry around shudder. You can get 100 pure peppermint oil from any healthfood store.

Dead animals or even insect nests in building plumbing especially building vents can also produce unexpected sewer odors see septic and sewer gas odor links discussed below.