Yeah, sealing gaps definitely helps, but honestly, I've had decent luck with peppermint oil too—cheap and smells way better than mothballs. Wonder if anyone's tried that around HVAC wiring specifically?
Peppermint oil around HVAC wiring, huh...never thought about that. I've used it around window frames and baseboards before, and it seemed to help with spiders at least. But wiring? I'd be careful there—oils can degrade certain plastics or insulation over time, especially if they're concentrated. Might wanna test a small spot first. Still beats mothballs, though...my grandma's attic smelled like those things for decades, lol.
"But wiring? I'd be careful there—oils can degrade certain plastics or insulation over time, especially if they're concentrated."
That's a really good point about the oils degrading insulation. Honestly, I never thought peppermint oil could cause issues like that, but it makes sense considering how concentrated essential oils can be. I remember using some citrus-based cleaner on a plastic surface once, and after a while it started getting tacky and weirdly soft in spots...lesson learned the hard way.
Anyway, congrats on hitting 20 years with your HVAC—that's pretty impressive. I'm curious though, have you done anything special to maintain it over the years? Like specific cleaning routines or filter schedules? I've heard mixed things about annual servicing; some people swear by it religiously every season, while others insist it's mostly hype unless something actually goes wrong. Personally, I just swap filters every few months and clean around the outdoor unit occasionally...fingers crossed mine lasts as long as yours has.
Also, speaking of pest control around HVAC systems, has anyone here tried diatomaceous earth instead of oils or mothballs? I've used it around baseboards and garage corners before, and it seemed to keep bugs at bay without any chemical smell or residue. But I've never dared sprinkle it near electrical components—seems like dust buildup could cause its own set of problems. Wonder if there's a safe way to apply it without risking damage...
Curious what others think about this.
I've actually used diatomaceous earth around my HVAC before, and honestly, I wouldn't recommend it near electrical stuff. It does work great for bugs in general—I sprinkled some around my basement perimeter and it definitely cut down on spiders—but near wiring or electronics, it just seems risky. That fine powder gets everywhere, and I'd worry about it building up inside the unit or clogging something important.
As for annual servicing, I'm kinda skeptical myself. Had a tech come out once for a "routine check," and he basically just glanced at the unit, swapped a filter (which I already do myself), and charged me $120. Felt like a waste of money. Now I just stick to regular filter changes and keeping debris clear from the outdoor unit. Maybe I've been lucky too, but mine's going on 15 years without any major issues yet...
I've had a slightly different experience with annual servicing. My HVAC is pushing 22 years now (fingers crossed!), and I think regular check-ups have helped. The trick is finding a tech who actually does a thorough job—checking refrigerant levels, cleaning coils, inspecting wiring connections—not just swapping filters. Maybe you just got unlucky with that one tech? I'd give it another shot with someone recommended by neighbors or friends...could make a difference long-term.
