How to get an animal out of your ductwork?

Author: Ethelyn Reynolds  |  Last update: Thursday, July 3, 2025

You'll have to turn off your HVAC system and remove all the vent covers. You'll need to load a trap for each vent. Most do-it-yourself-ers use snap traps baited with peanut butter, meat, or cheese. Place the trap just inside the vent and wait.

How do you get something out of ductwork?

Use a Vacuum: Take the hose of your vacuum and insert it as far as possible into the duct. Turn on the vacuum and move the nozzle around. Check the vacuum canister for your lost item. You can also try putting pantyhose around the vacuum opening and secure with a rubber band.

How do you remove rodent from air ducts?

Steps To Take If Rodents Are In Your Air Ducts
  • Take Time Outside of the Home. ...
  • Inspect the Inside and Outside of Your Home. ...
  • Turn Off Your HVAC System. ...
  • Collect the Necessary Materials. ...
  • Remove the Vent Covers. ...
  • Set the Traps. ...
  • Check the Traps Daily. ...
  • Remove the Intruder.

How do you get rid of dead animal smell in air ducts?

Hire a Professional to Remove the Animal From your Air Ducts

It often requires homeowners to hire professional pest control, HVAC, and/or air duct technicians to remove the vermin and odors.

Who do you call for a dead animal in the air duct?

You should explain the situation when you call for service; some HVAC service providers may refer you to an animal control provider instead, but many HVAC technicians will be able to remove the dead mouse or rodent properly.

SQUIRRELS IN YOUR AIR DUCTS

How do you get animals out of air vents?

Remove AC vents with a screwdriver and place the mouse trap with either peanut butter or whatever little piece of food you don't mind leaving up there. Use a flashlight to look for mouse or rat droppings. If you see a prevalence of them at a specific duct, leave more traps in that area.

Why do I hear scratching in my vents?

Animals like squirrels, raccoons, and rodents can find their way into your house and into the ductwork. They can even make a new home in the ducts, which becomes a serious problem for your home. If you think you hear scratching coming from your ductwork, it's incredibly important to call professionals right away.

How long does it take for a dead animal smell to stop?

Unfortunately it may take three weeks or more to completely decompose. A professional may be contacted to break through and rebuild affected walls. This can be costly and not a viable option. Even after elimination of the source of dead rodent smell, the unsettling scent may linger for up to two weeks.

How to find a dead animal in ductwork?

Use a screwdriver to remove the cover of the suspected air duct. Use a flashlight to look inside the duct and see if you can find the dead animal. If the distance to the dead animal is beyond a turn in the air duct, you will need a tool such as a telescoping inspection camera to find it.

Is it unhealthy to breathe in dead animal smell?

The smell of a dead rat can be harmful to a person's health due to the toxic gases and microscopic compounds of the dead animal that are constantly being released into the indoor air. Since most homes are not consistently ventilated, the gases permeate into the respiratory tract and can potentially cause illness.

How to get a mouse out of ductwork?

Unscrew and remove the grates that cover your heat vents. For each vent, bait a snap trap with the fragrances of fetching foods, such as raisins, dates, cheese, chocolate or peanut butter. Place a trap in each air duct. If you can spot any trails of mouse prints or droppings, place the trap directly along those lines.

How much is a mouse exterminator?

A mice exterminator costs $150 to $550 on average, depending on the method, infestation size, and location. A mice inspection alone costs $75 to $125. A mouse exterminator costs $150 to $475 for setting lethal traps. Mice removal costs $300 to $550 for poison bait stations and monitoring.

Can mice in your ductwork make you sick?

HOME AIR DUCTS CAN MAKE YOU SICK FROM MICE, DIRT OR PET HAIR. Dust, pollen, smoke, chemical sprays, mold, fungus and germs can build up in your furnace ductwork.

Can I clean my ductwork myself?

Any vacuum will do the job, although we do advise that you use a heavier-duty vacuum if you got one handy. We recommend unscrewing the vents, vacuuming them off thoroughly and pushing the hose into the duct as far as it will allow in order to suck any loose dust or dirt.

Can you spray vinegar in air ducts?

Can I spray vinegar in air ducts? Yes. Vinegar can help break up the dirt in the ductwork so that you can clean them more easily. Use a mix of ¼ cup of vinegar with 2 cups of water in a spray bottle.

How to remove toys from air ducts?

You can try using a wire hanger, suction, or reach-in methods to remove toys from your home vents yourself.

How do you tell if there is a dead animal in your walls?

The surest sign there is a dead animal is the putrid stench caused by decomposition. Fluids drain out and leech into nearby materials, causing foul stains which spread and grow as the animal's body continues to rot.

Can animals get in your air ducts?

Animals, especially rodents, have a tendency to make their way into the air ducts of your homes. They create an entire habitat inside the air ducts, nesting and reproducing.

Will vinegar get rid of dead animal smell?

Vinegar is a popular remedy for removing dead animal odors. It is known for its natural deodorizing properties. To implement this method, mix equal parts of water and vinegar in a spray bottle.

What to do if an animal dies in your wall?

It is usually difficult to remove them when they are inside a wall. A room deodorizer might help. The only way to get rid of the carcass would have to be by cutting into the wall. This may be difficult, as the odor may permeate through the walls and it is hard to localize the exact point to cut the wall.

How to speed up decomposition of dead animals?

The temperature should reach 130o to 150o F for several days or weeks because at this temperature, microorganisms are active, decomposition proceeds quickly, and pathogens are destroyed.

How to tell if an animal is in an air duct?

Identifying Signs of Animals in Your Air Ducts
  1. Strange noises: Scratching, scurrying, or squeaking sounds from your air ducts are often one of the first signs of an infestation. ...
  2. Foul odors: If you notice unpleasant odors coming from your vents, especially when your HVAC system kicks on, you might have animals in there.

How do I get rid of rodents in my air vents?

Identifying and Removing an Infestation

Homeowners should instead locate each vent in their home and remove the grates. By placing baited traps at each point of entry, you can attempt to lure and trap mice out of the vents and prevent them from dying in the ducts.

How to eliminate ductwork noise?

Adjust or Upgrade the Dampers

Dampers help control the flow of air throughout your duct system. Sometimes a banging sound is caused by vent dampers that blow open and slam shut. You can fix the problem by adjusting the actuator in the damper, which can reduce or stop the noise.

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