Summertime is almost here, which is why you should prepare your air conditioner for the upcoming season. Air conditioners are a modern necessity for dealing with warmer temperatures, but animals don’t know that.

If you want to keep bugs, mice, and other pests away from your air conditioner, there are a few things you can do to make your unit pest-proof. Here are some tips for keeping pests away from your air conditioner.

Take a Look at Your Ducts and Vents

Human beings aren’t the only animals that prefer living indoors. Outdoor creatures like to nest in hard-to-reach areas such as your ducts and vents, so this should be the first place you cover when pest-proofing your HVAC system.

You should place mesh screens or some other type of covering on your air vents to keep pests at bay. Then, seal off your air ducts so that pests can’t enter.

Some signs it’s time for a residential duct cleaning include rodent droppings and insect nests inside your ducts. If you notice either of these signs, make sure you take action immediately.

Keep the Area Surrounding Your AC Unit Tidy

If your AC unit is covered in leaves and yard trimmings, make sure to clean it off. This clutter can damage your AC unit on its own, and it makes your unit more attractive to pests.

You should also keep the area surrounding your AC tidy so that pests don’t settle nearby. Clearing out weeds and other vegetation near your condenser will make it less habitable for animals. As for your outdoor vents, installing vertical louvers should prevent birds and flying insects from entering.

Get Into a Routine

The best way to prevent pests from interfering with your HVAC system is to get into a maintenance routine. This means you should set up a schedule to have an HVAC technician look at your system once a year and clean out your ducts, vents, and condenser and repair anything that’s broken. If you put off smaller repairs for your AC unit or other HVAC components, it could lead to more costly repairs down the line, making your home less safe overall.

Even if you love animals, dealing with pests is annoying because they damage your home and put your health at risk. Now that you know a few tips for keeping pests away from your air conditioner, you can look forward to enjoying cool air this summer without having to fight off intrusive pests.