Most homeowners understandably dislike the idea of having bugs in their homes.It becomes even worse when you realize that some can get in through the vents into your HVAC system.
Unfortunately, bugs and pests always find a way to get in through small open spaces. But the good news is that there’s steps you can take to minimize their presence in your household.
If the bugs are in the vents of your AC, the best thing is to reach out for professional help. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t attempt to resolve the issues yourself. There are certainly some simple ways of handling these bugs on your own.
In this blog, we shall delve into some ways on how to get rid of bugs in the vents of your AC unit.
Best Tips on Getting Rid of Bugs in Air Conditioner Vents
- Block all the entry points
Bugs in AC vents tend to get in through different entry points. Therefore, the first step in eliminating them is identifying these entry points and sealing them off.
Try to cover up all the possible entry points, especially on your home’s exterior drywall. Do not ignore even the smallest crack, as it may be an entry point for bugs in your AC vents.
Place cardboard or duct tapes over the cracks, and bugs will have a hard time getting into your indoor environment.
- Fix clean standing water and any leaks
Bugs love places that have plenty of food and quick access to water. Any home with pooled water and leaks becomes an appealing place for them to gather. It is important to fix any leaks and remove any standing water to combat bugs in AC vents.
Clogged lines, dirty coils, and damaged drain pans are some of the major causes of water leaks. If these are indirectly responsible for bugs in your vents, reach out to a technician to fix the problem. Additionally, you should also ensure your AC unit remains dry at all times to prevent any damp or wet spots where bugs might appear.
- Maintain your downspouts and gutters
There is plenty of dirt and debris in your home’s downspouts and gutters, especially during dry seasons. This debris becomes a great home for pests and bugs. And from here, they can easily get into your AC vents.
To avoid this, ensure that you frequently check on your downspouts and gutters, and remove any debris or dirt to prevent bugs from breeding there. This will help handle the bugs before they become a major problem.
- Clean the air vents
Bugs crave areas that are dirty or shaded off from sunlight, where they can live and breed without any interference. Deprive them that opportunity by frequently cleaning your air vents.
You can manually remove any debris or buildup or use cleaning solutions to clean your AC vents. This should go a long way towards deterring bugs from entering or exiting your HVAC system ducts.
- Install your AC unit properly
Another key factor that works to get rid of bugs in vents is to have your AC unit installed by a professional. Get the installation done right! If you consider installing it yourself, you may mistakenly connect your unit too loosely to the ductwork.
This leaves spaces that will allow the entry of bugs into the air vents. Therefore, its best to avoid these problems by having a qualified technician do the installation for you. Technicians have plenty of experience with the various types of AC installation and can create a tight seal that blocks away from these bugs.
Also, be sure to have air filters in most of your vents. If you have the correct size of air filters, debris and bugs will be trapped out. Ensure that these filters are clean or replaced after three months for the best results.
- Ensure the outdoor unit is clean
The outdoor unit is a bridge for bugs to find their way into the house through the AC vents. Because of this, it’s best to always keep plants, fences, and trees 2-3 feet away from the AC. Also make sure you get rid of any woodpiles, cans, leaves, or sticks around the condenser.
If managing plants and shrubs is outside your comfort zone, consider opting for rock gardens or tiled options. They discourage the breeding of bugs, meaning fewer chances of bugs in your AC vents.
- Consider screens around the vents
As another step on how to get rid of bugs in vents, consider adding screens to restrict their entry. You can use the screens to cover both the indoor and outdoor air vents, as they serve as effective barriers to most bugs from crossing these thresholds.
Also consider installing a screen in the outdoor unit if you have a window AC to prevent any outdoor access. Make sure to properly seal off any gaps and ensure any screws or joints have been fitted properly.
- Do not ignore landscaping
Bugs found in your AC vents and air ducts can often be the result of the outdoor environment rather than the state of the HVAC system. Poorly maintained lawns are one of the biggest factors in attracting bugs.
If your grass is untended and tall, bugs are sure to settle in, and they can easily find their way into the AC vents once they spread out to find more living space.
You can easily prevent this by doing away with any untended patches of grass, weeds, or other plant life that attracts bugs to the AC vents.
- Operate the AC regularly
Bugs in AC vents can’t stick around for long if you’re using your AC or heating unit regularly. Most bugs in your vents in winter move there in search of protection against cold seasons. An AC vent that is never in use offers an ideal home for them.
Using your HVAC system more often will disrupt their living environment and drive them out. While it’s true that extreme temperatures don’t necessarily deter every type of bug, running your AC frequently is a low-effort method of getting rid of bugs in an AC vent.
Conclusion
By using the tips we’ve provided and proper HVAC installation, you can ensure that you’ll see a significant decrease in the number of bugs in AC vents. For the best results, it is always advisable to seek professional assistance from experts for installing and making changes to your AC vents to prevent bugs from getting a chance to settle in.