What To Do When a Rodent Dies In Your Ductwork

It isn’t a sign of uncleanliness. It’s not something you’ve done wrong. The fact is, rodents and other small animals look for places of warmth, areas where they can build their nests and stay safe from the elements and predators.

And sometimes that means getting into your ductwork.

If they die, that’s where your problems begin.

When a rodent dies in your ductwork, the first task is to remove it. Every time your furnace or air conditioner turns on, it spreads foul air throughout your home. If you’re experiencing that now, the good news is it’s a problem that can be rectified. Where do you begin?

The first step starts with tracking the smell. When the smell is in every room in your home, it’s easy to assume it’s in the ductwork. Yet in a lot of cases, it’s somewhere easier, somewhere they had an easy in-and-out of your home. Take a walk all through your home. Your nose might lead you to finding it in the basement, crawlspace, or attic. It may also lead you to a specific vent. If that’s the case, you can take the cover off and use a flashlight to peer inside.

Once you find the animal, you’ll have to remove it carefully. If it’s within reach, a pair of rubber gloves and a disposable bag will be all you need. If it’s out of reach, you might require additional tools to reach in and carefully remove the remains. You can contact your local waste disposal about the proper way to dispose of dead animals.

Once the animal is removed, you can begin disinfecting the area. Be conscious of the chemicals you use, especially if it’s in the ductwork. These chemicals will spread throughout your home to the moment you turn your furnace or air conditioner back on.

Lastly, determine how the animal got inside your home and plug the leak. A thorough inspection of your HVAC system will show you problem areas that should be fixed. If a space is large enough for an animal to squeeze in, chances are you’re having a lot of conditioned air escape where it shouldn’t be. That impacts your energy efficiency, as well as leaves your home at risk.

Prefer to leave this entire job up to the professionals? We’re here to help. Give us a call today and we’ll evaluate your entire HVAC system, including ductwork, and ensure you’re safe from lingering problem areas, including odors that may come from rodents and other small animals entering your home.