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An air conditioning unit provides a pleasant environment for bees to set up a hive, especially during the summer. The safety and shade that AC units provide are ideal conditions for bees. So in this post, I’ll go over why bees are attracted to ACs as well as how to deter them from gaining a foothold in your unit.
The discovery of bees within an air conditioner is one of the less-common difficulties that air conditioner owners face. Some individuals regard this as being only inconvenient and unlikely to do significant harm, while others regard it as a serious source of concern.
Keep in mind that there are thousands of different bee species, and any of them might sting you if they are afraid or believe their queen is in danger.
Before we get into the meat of the matter, it’s important to note that you should never deal with bees in your air conditioner until you understand their species and other features.
What Makes ACs Attractive to Bees?
Diverse species have different preferences, but nearly all bees like to make their nests in a variety of environments, including tree holes, under trees, buildings, appliances, and other structures.
There are also certain locations, designs, and weather circumstances that entice bees to build their nests so that they can live, breed, increase their community, and thrive without difficulty.
According to the needs, requirements, and wants of bees, an air conditioner is one of the greatest places to set up shop.
Bees regard the inner atmosphere of an air conditioner unit to be one of the greatest and most favored locations for their nests. Many people believe that air conditioners attract bees because of their cold surroundings, however, this is not the case. Mainly, bees are attracted to AC units because…
When an air conditioner runs, it generates heat, which attracts bees because it keeps their colony comfortable. An air conditioner gives a large amount of room for bees to reproduce and thrive in their colony without fear of predators or other potentially detrimental elements.
The fact that your air conditioner has a baffled construction structure from the inside is another key aspect that will explain why bees are drawn to it. The air intake section of your air conditioner is the greatest area for bees to connect their breeding cells and keep a close eye on them.
How Do I Get Rid of Bees in My Air Conditioner?
It’s not simple to get bees out of your air conditioner. You must consider several aspects since even a slight blunder might result in significant problems.
To assist you and offer guidance, I’ve included a thorough and step-by-step strategy that will guide you through the process of removing bees from your air conditioner.
- Look for bee markings on the AC unit; if you see any, it’s a sure sign that your air conditioner is infested with bees. These signs are frequently situated near the front door or over the air conditioning controls. It is strongly advised that you place a piece of cardboard on the air conditioner’s opening to prevent bees from entering the unit.
- You will undoubtedly use a flashlight to inspect your AC unit; however, you should cover it with a piece of red film so that bees do not become upset and fly out to attack you and other inhabitants of your home. Because bees are drawn to light, using red film will keep bees from flying towards your flashlight and bothering you while you open the upper casing of your air conditioner.
- Use bee-repellent or bee-killing sprays, especially at night. Dishwashing soap can also be used by diluting it with water. This will help you to get rid of bees without having to use any potentially dangerous chemicals in your air conditioner.
- Wear bee-safety gear including a mask, respirator, gloves, and other essentials. Spray the bees with your concoction.
Continue spraying bees until you are certain that all bees have been killed or have fled the area. If you believe this work is too complex for you or if you are allergic to bees, you should hire a professional team to help you.
How to Keep Bees Out of Air Conditioner
It is not recommended to use possibly toxic insecticides or pesticides close to your home’s ventilation system. If you’re worried about bees nesting in your air conditioner, there are a few pesticide-free measures you can do or ask your AC repair professional about during your next visit:
Fake Nests
Buying a fake bee’s nest and attaching it to your air conditioner is one of the easiest methods to keep bees away. Bees are very territorial creatures, and they will not build a nest near an existing colony. If you can’t locate a realistic imitation nest to buy, you may simply make one out of crushed brown construction paper. This strategy is compassionate and may be quite successful.
Batten Down The Cracks
Consider your air conditioner an invincible stronghold. By sealing any holes between the unit and your home’s wall, you may keep bees, and other unwanted guests or chemicals out. If the crack is too big to fill with caulk, use a foam sealant, which expands to fit the crack’s space needs. When you’re done with your air conditioning, cover it with a waterproof tarp to keep bees from hibernating there during the winter.
Water Traps
Hanging water traps near your unit is another simple bee-deterring tactic. These employ flowery smells to attract and catch bees, drowning them in the process. If you want to keep bees on your property for pollination, a clear plastic bag loaded with metallic coins draped above your air conditioning unit can keep the multi-eyed insects away without injuring them.
Inspect The Smells
If any odors around your air conditioning unit may be attracting insects, they should be removed as soon as possible. Potential attractants include rotten fruit, garbage cans, and recycle bins. Start by picking up any trash or recycling cans that have fallen from bushes or trees near your flat, and then clean up any fruit that has fallen from bushes or trees. Even if the fruit isn’t edible to humans, a bee may find it enticing!
FAQs
Can Bees Get In Through Window AC?
Bees can get into a house through fractures in the foundation, gaps in a window screen, or an open door. Your window air conditioner is another offender that goes unnoticed. When an air conditioner runs, its internal components create heat, which draws bees, wasps, and yellow jackets to the unit’s interior chamber to build their nests.
Can I spray bug spray into my window air conditioner?
Unless the poison is specially made for the interior of a system, never spray directly into your air conditioner.
HVAC tech with over 30 years of experience. Retired and doing repair work on the side around Madison County, AL.