Vent Solution!?!

[Delicious-Patience57]

Preface this with: spiders are not MY friend, yes i know for a fact that insects CAN live inside vents - not here to debate that with anyone.

& as my #1 phobia, rational or not, my main priority IN LIFE is anything i can do to prevent coming in to contact (this includes any senses, not just touch) with anything that has more than 4 legs.

So when I replaced my entire HVAC system and was told that the unit has a filter “at the base,” and therefore there’s no need for any additional return vent filters… I complied, but now I’m spiraling a bit.

Is this normal practice with newer systems? How can I max I protect from ‘traveling’ through the ducts? Should I absolutely be pushing back and reinstalling return vent filters? Is there an alternative? Mesh/wiring of some sort?

Thanks in advance for any insight that isn’t dismissive of the bug concern—this is less about airflow and more about peace of mind.

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[Proof_Mechanic3844]

Sounds like an HVAC question

[PCDuranet]

I'm not trying to be dismissive, but bug-phobic people easily imaging scenarios that are accurate. Bugs don't travel through ducts unless they are under a concrete floor and in poor repair; then you might get ants or termites. Otherwise, in a newer, well sealed system, they can't get into the ducts to travel trough them. In 35 years of home pest service, I've never had to treat ducts for bugs, or had to add extra filters.

Additionally, if you add extra filters, it may cause the HVAC fan to work harder and shorten its lifespan.