Insects and other animals often find their way into your home via your HVAC system. After all, these systems offer a safe and pleasant environment for bugs and critters. Cockroaches, spiders, and ants may find protection in the condenser’s grill. Condensation almost usually offers a freshwater source, and the machine’s spinning may be a pleasant place to stay warm at night.
When the weather becomes hot, people aren’t the only ones seeking an excellent spot to be. Bugs also like any HVAC system because it gives them full access to your home. They enter the structure via ducting, return vents, and small holes in the walls.
To keep your sleep peaceful and prevent any critters from bugging you, here are some ways to stop bugs from getting into your home:
1 – Locate and Seal Any Cracks and Holes
From the exterior, examine the area around your condenser. Are there any cracks or holes in your walls? Use caulk or concrete to fill them in. Despite their small size, the holes enable bugs to enter your home via the air conditioner.
Cockroaches are constantly on the lookout for water. A moist environment may be ideal for a family of these pests. That is why you should check for and repair any water leaks as soon as possible. Check hose spigots to ensure they shut securely. If you see any water escaping from your condenser, it may be more than just a magnet for roaches. It could also be an indication that something is wrong with the air conditioner.
2 – Give Your Compressor Breathing Room
Landscape design is critical, especially when it comes to your condenser. When it comes to AC and foliage, there are specific fundamental rules that all homes should follow. Keep any plants, trees, or fences at least 2-3 feet away from the condenser. It, like most other things in the world, needs breathing room.
Make sure no tree branches are too low. Remove any debris from the area around the condenser as well. Bugs love to live on leaf piles as their initial habitat. Eliminate everything that may attract bugs from the area around your condenser—woodpiles, trash cans, grass clippings, and all. Removing any possible insect breeding sites lowers the chance of bugs entering via the air conditioner.
3 – Set up a Rock Garden
If removing bushes seems like a hassle, consider creating a rock garden. Because they are low-maintenance and drought-resistant, stone gardens are becoming increasingly popular. They will help prevent pests from nesting near your condenser. You can build a rock garden out of anything from beautiful gravel to bricks or even massive river boulders. Tall plants may also impede airflow and clog your condenser coil. With a rock garden, the chances of this happening are significantly reduced.
4 – Put Screens over Air Vents
Pests most often enter via air vents. If you’ve seen tiny insects or spiders in your house, they most likely got in via a duct hole. Installing insect screens on your interior and exterior vents is one solution to this problem. You may outsource this service, but you can also do it yourself by removing the vent cover and using it as a template to determine how big a piece of insect screen you’ll need to cut. Caulk the insect screen to an external wall surface, such as brick, and replace the vent cover.
Final Thoughts
If you still have a bug infestation, don’t do anything until you’ve contacted an exterminator. While you can do a simple DIY home AC repair, you’re probably not a bug or HVAC expert. Therefore, avoid doing anything potentially dangerous to address your pest problem. Do not, for example, spray insecticides into the ducting of your air conditioner. Doing so means that when you turn on the air conditioner, pesticide odors can spread and make you and your family unwell.
Air 1 Heating & Cooling offers comprehensive air conditioning services to care for your home cooling system. If you need an expert to check your HVAC system, place a call with us today!