HVAC & Duct Detective: When Your Air System Becomes a Pest Highway

This episode walks listeners through a common but under-appreciated problem: pests living in or traveling through HVAC systems and ductwork. Using integrated pest management language—inspection, exclusion, sanitation, monitoring—we tell a field story about a homeowner who smelled musky odors and found droppings near a furnace return. Listeners learn to identify likely culprits (mice, rats, roaches, spiders), the behavioral reasons these pests use ducts (shelter, steady temperature, food odors), and key clues to spot without opening dangerous equipment. The episode delivers a practical IPM playbook focused on exclusion and moisture control, a concise XTERMIGATOR DIY Report with safe, non-chemical steps, and clear red flags for when to call HVAC or pest pros. Always safety-first, the tone stays educational and checklist-driven so listeners can protect air quality and prevent infestations responsibly.