Summer attracts a variety of bugs like spiders, cockroaches, mosquitoes, and ants seeking food, shelter, and relief from the heat. Whether you use a central air conditioning system or a window AC unit, your AC unit offers an inviting environment with cool air, moisture, and food sources from dirty air filters.
Bugs can enter through return vents, ductwork, and small gaps. In this blog, we will give you expert advice on how to prevent bugs from entering your home through your air conditioner.
1. Seal Any Noticeable Cracks Along the Ductwork
Bugs hiding in the basement or attic can easily squeeze through or get into the ducts through an existing opening. Here are some tips to check for cracks in your ductwork:
- Check the connections between each section of the accessible ductwork, especially at the joint. Pay attention to the parts that seem kinked or twisted.
- Turn on your AC, then place your hand over the ducts, if you feel the air against your hand, it means that there is a loose connection or a leak.
- If you spot any cracks not wider than an inch thick, use duct tape to seal them up.
For extensive cracks or leaks in places that you can’t reach, it’s a good idea that you seek professional HVAC system assistance. A qualified technician will use the aeroseal duct sealant to identify and seal all the cracks within your duct system.
2. Caulk All the Gaps
Bugs enter air conditioners through the gaps around the air ducts, outdoor units, and even cracks in walls. Though some holes might seem small, they create a way for the tiny bugs to pass through. One way to address this problem is to caulk any gaps to prevent bugs from coming into your home. You will find various caulks in your local hardware store, but be sure to choose the correct option safe for your wall material. Also, use caulk that you can easily mold and remove in the future.
3. The AC Must Be Installed Properly
Improper installation of the AC unit may allow bug entry. If you attempt to install the air conditioning unit by yourself, there is a chance that you won’t connect the unit to your ductwork well enough, to prevent bugs from entering the home. Before you know it, you’ll see all sorts of bugs coming inside like mosquitoes, cockroaches, spiders, and other pests.
To avoid such problems, you should always have your air conditioner installed by a qualified technician. A professional has adequate experience with various types of air conditioning systems and can install the unit with a tight seal that will deter bugs from entering.
Ensure also that you install air filters in air conditioner vents. If you have thick enough and properly sized air filters, they will help trap bugs and debris that attract pests.
Remember, you must change or clean the air filters after three months.
If you have a shedding pet or live in a very dusty area, replace it every month.
4. Keep the Outdoor Unit Clean
The outdoor vegetation serves as a bridge for bugs to make their way into the house through the air conditioning unit.
- Keep trees, fences, and other plants about two to three feet away from the outdoor unit.
- Clear off any sticks, woodpiles, cans, leaves, or other debris around the condenser.
- Trim the trees to keep the branches at least seven feet away from the AC unit to protect tree insects from landing on the condenser’s grill and gaining access into the house.
- Make sure that the condenser unit is placed on a slab to prevent bugs from crawling into it.
If clearing shrubbery seems like a lot of work, consider switching to a rock garden, and use a variety of rocks and stones in your garden with fewer plants. They are aesthetically appealing, allow uninterrupted airflow to the unit, require low maintenance, and deter bugs from getting into the condenser unit.
Regular maintenance is key for keeping bugs out of your AC!
Schedule your AC maintenance service today!
5. Put Screens Over the Air Conditioner Vents
You can prevent bugs by covering both the indoor and outdoor air vents with screens. If you have a window AC unit, install the screening around the outdoor unit to deter bugs and flying pests. Ensure that you install the screening properly since tiny gaps will let the bugs let into the house.
6. Clear Any Water Leaks
A damp place attracts most bugs and insects. Therefore, inspect your unit often, and if you see some water spots, clean it with a rug as soon as possible. If your AC constantly leaks, this is an indication of a bigger problem that needs immediate attention. A damaged drain pan, clogged lines, or dirty coils can cause water leaks. Call a qualified technician to fix the issue immediately. Keep in mind that a dry AC system helps prevent insect infestation.
7. Keep Up With AC Tune-Up
Scheduling regular AC maintenance will help keep the bugs away. Routine maintenance provides a variety of benefits for our air conditioner, including:
- The professional cleaning provided for your HVAC system during the service will help remove dust, dirt, and any dead pests trapped in the AC unit. This will clear away food sources and will not prevent bugs from entering the unit.
- Trapped critters and dust in the air ducts, air filters, and the overall HVAC system hurt the home’s indoor air quality. The cleaning of the AC unit will help fix this problem.
- The professional will also assess the AC’s installation, and check for a broken, warped, or missing part that creates space for bugs entry.
- Critters can eat through your AC’s wires, build nests that limit airflow, shed skin, and defecate within your unit, circulating contaminants through the house.
Air Conditioner Bug Screen Solutions at C & C!
If you tried following all our tips and the problem persists, seek professional assistance from C & C Heating & Air Conditioning. Our company offers air conditioners and heating systems installation, repair, and maintenance services. We also provide water heaters, air filtration systems, duct cleaning, humidifiers, UV lights, and ductless mini-splits services in Metro Detroit, MI, and the nearby areas.
Contact C & C Heating & Air Conditioning today to schedule a consultation with one of our HVAC installation and service technicians.
