Snakes, mice, and other pests can wreak havoc on your air conditioner from within. Protecting the AC unit from such hazards is critical if you want it to run smoothly and without interruption. Although this is not a common problem because most air conditioners are designed in such a way that a snake cannot even reach the AC unit, it is best to be safe and take precautionary measures. Snakes can not only cause problems in the unit, potentially costing you a lot of money in repairs, but they also pose a significant risk to you and your family. You may wonder: Can snakes come through an air conditioner? Or how do snakes get into air conditioners? We, at GharPedia, bring you tips on how to keep snakes out of air conditioners, through this article.
During the monsoon, people rarely use air conditioners. Birds build nests and lay eggs on the external units. The reptiles are after the nests. They rest in air-conditioning units after eating their meal.
Before moving on to the tips to avoid snakes from entering the air conditioner, let’s first focus on how snakes get into the air conditioner.
How do Snakes get into Air Conditioners?
Can snakes come through air conditioners? The answer to this question is yes. There are two major points of entry for snakes to enter an air conditioner unit: 1) Holes or gaps near the AC unit 2) The water drain pipe
01. Through Holes or Gaps in the Wall Near the AC unit
Snakes can enter through holes and gaps, so all of these areas should be covered in some way. While installing a split AC, a drain pipe is installed in the unit, which drains the water from the unit to a safe place. Sometimes, due to the arrangement of the unit, it is difficult to install a drain pipe. In such instances, a hole is to be made in the wall near the air conditioner unit to allow the installation of the drain pipe and drain water to a convenient location.
After the installation of the whole air conditioner unit, seal the gap with concrete or mortar. However, sometimes the hole is either not sealed properly or not sealed at all. This becomes a potential entry point for snakes and other pests.
02. Through the Water Drain Pipe
If the water drain pipe of the air conditioner unit is located in the exterior of the house and is exposed, then it can be a potential entry point for creatures like snakes and mice. During the monsoon and winter, the air conditioners are turned off for long period. Also, during the monsoon, the shelters of the snakes get filled with rain water, so they come out to seek shelter elsewhere. The monsoon season also brings out frogs and mice, both of which are favourite targets for snakes.
In such conditions, if the water drain pipe of your air conditioner unit is near the ground, then snakes can easily take shelter in it.
After knowing the entry points for snakes, now let us know the ideas on how to keep snakes out of air conditioners.
How to Keep Snakes Out of Air Conditioners?
So, now the question arises: how do I keep snakes out of my air conditioner? There are numerous tips and techniques that can assist you in keeping snakes out of your air conditioner. The following are some of the best tips that the majority of people around the world use:
- One of the first things you can do is ensure that the area around the air conditioner’s outdoor unit is clean and clear for at least 3 feet. It is highly recommended that you install a cage with mesh around your air conditioner’s outdoor unit to ensure that nothing can pass through and reach your AC unit. The outdoor unit should be located away from plants and garbage. These are the things that tend to draw snakes. So, keeping them away from the AC’s outdoor unit or compressor will yield positive results.
- Holes or gaps in the wall are one of the major ways through which snakes can easily enter the AC unit; hence, all the holes and gaps must be properly sealed with concrete or other suitable material. Therefore, there will be no space for snakes or other critters to enter the air conditioner unit.
- Net covers are one of the best things to use to cover the air conditioner unit. This cover will not interfere with the flow of air while also keeping snakes and other pests at bay. There are numerous mesh coverings made of netting available on the market.
- Ducts should be taped at all times. When you repair your air conditioning unit, make sure the ducts are properly taped and there are no gaps for snakes to enter. Not only should you inspect the ducts and gaps after a repair, but you should also do so every month. To ease your hassle with such inspection and maintenance work, you could hire a professional like Fresno AC Repair.
- Remove any puddles, holes, or other obstructions that may allow water to accumulate near the outdoor unit. Standing water near an air conditioner unit can lure snakes and other pests.
- Another important point of entry for snakes is the water drain pipe of the air conditioner. If you are constructing a new house, then it is recommended that you connect the above pipe directly to the rainwater pipe of the house. Hence, there will be no direct entry left for snakes or other creatures like mice to enter from.
Takeaway
If you live in areas where encounters with snakes are common, then protecting your air conditioners from them is important. Sealing all the major entries and installing net covers to protect the outdoor units from snakes and other such creatures is the major solution to avoid finding a snake in your air conditioner unit. We hope these tips on how to keep snakes out of air conditioners prove useful to you.
Before leaving, make sure to check out our other articles:
Get Rid of Common Air Conditioner Problems this summer!
