Is your AC inviting unwelcome creepy crawlies into your house? Are you searching for ways to bug-proof your air conditioner? Then you’ve come to the right place! Texas Pride understands how important it is to have a clean, comfortable home free of insects and pests. We know all too well that air conditioners, especially window units, can become accidental entry points for bugs looking to enter your home. Luckily, there are some simple DIY solutions to prevent bugs from entering your home via your AC. Keep reading to see our best tips and tricks.
1. Keep Up With Lawn Maintenance
It’s no secret that bugs love the outdoors, and the more overgrown the grass and vegetation, the better. Grass, shrubs, and trees planted near your air conditioner give bugs an excuse to hang out there. It’s an easy jump to go from the great outdoors to the comfortable indoors of your house.
Performing lawn care and landscaping maintenance are key steps to preventing bugs from turning your house into theirs. Any plants or trees should be a minimum of two or three feet away from the unit. Any nearby grass should be short and free of weeds. You should also clear away any piles of leaves and grass clippings because these are popular spots for bugs to gather. Lastly, keep trash cans and woodpiles far away from your condenser. By keeping the space around the unit clean, you’ll discourage bugs from congregating near your AC.
2. Patch Up Gaps and Cracks
Next time you’re in the backyard, take a close look at your air conditioner. Do you notice any gaps or cracks? If there are cracks around the condenser, bugs could easily sneak in. Luckily, you can fill in these gaps with caulk or cement. These are simple building supplies you can pick up at any local hardware store. If you’re inexperienced with DIY projects, we recommend starting with caulk as it’s easier to scrape away and re-apply than cement. Once the caulk hardens, it will form a tough, waterproof barrier against pesky critters.
3. Clean Your Gutters and Downspouts
Have you cleaned your gutters lately? It’s easy to forget about them since they’re out of sight and out of mind, but your gutters are a potential hotbed for insect activity. Throughout the warmer seasons, dead leaves, branches, and other natural debris will build up in your gutter. If the gutter is clogged enough, you could also end up with standing water in your gutters when it rains. All of this is a dream come true for bugs. They will happily infest clogged gutters and eventually make their way down to the air conditioner. Cleaning your gutters at least once a season is an excellent way to deter unwanted insect activity around your AC.
4. Prevent Standing Water
Your gutters aren’t the only area of your landscaping that’s susceptible to standing water. Leaky water spigots, low spots in your yard, and the ground below your eaves may also run into flooding issues. Hose spigots are a common area for insect activity because they tend to be drippy. If your hose spigot is leaky, try to tighten any loose components to prevent leaking.
Your AC itself may develop leaks. This is usually a sign that something is wrong with the condenser. Any additional dampness or puddling around the unit is a beacon for insects — especially roaches. If you notice your air conditioner is putting off more moisture than normal, let our technicians take a look at it. We should be able to get to the bottom of the issue and fix it immediately to prevent future insect activity. Texas Pride has provided quick, long-lasting AC repairs to homeowners in Houston for many years.
Your AC Specialists in Houston
Looking for more ways to stop bugs from coming through your AC? Schedule an appointment with the expert technicians from Texas Pride. Our trained specialists will perform a tune-up and cleaning to get rid of any unwanted guests. We’re also trained and equipped to handle the full spectrum of air conditioner repairs. Whatever’s causing your air conditioner to attract insects, you can trust that we’ll help you put an end to it. We’re proud to provide top-notch heating and cooling services to homeowners in Houston, including maintenance, repairs, and replacement services.
Call us today to schedule your appointment!