What To Do If a Bird Nests in Your AC Unit

You may have noticed the occasional bird perched on your air conditioner unit or flying around your property. It can be tempting to brush it away and ignore them, but you should be aware of the potential issues caused by a bird nesting in your AC unit. Decreased air flow, blockage of condensation lines, and potential health hazards are some of the problems if a bird makes its home there. Here, we'll discuss what to do if you find a bird nest in your AC unit, how to keep birds away from air conditioner units, and how to clean up bird droppings.

Finding A Bird's Nest in Your AC Unit

If you're wondering, 'what do I do if I find birds living in my air conditioner,' you should first remember to take safety precautions. Wear protective clothing and gloves to avoid any potential illnesses from contact with the nest or droppings. If someone in your household has a weaker immune system, they can be more susceptible to infections. So, keep them away from bird dropping as much as possible.

Once you've taken safety precautions, you can remove the bird's nest from your AC unit. One of the best ways to do this is to use a sturdy ladder to reach the unit and disconnect the power to the unit. Get someone to hold the ladder, if possible, to reduce the risk of accidents.

If the nest is currently in use (for example, it contains unhatched eggs), try to preserve it by moving it elsewhere. If this is your preferred option, you should also be aware of local laws about moving or destroying a nest. If, for any reason, you can't move the nest, or it becomes a recurring problem, consider hiring an expert to do the job. This can save time, stress and money in the long term.

Keeping Birds Away from Your AC Unit

The best way to prevent nesting birds in air conditioner units is by taking steps to make them feel less inviting. Installing screens and netting around your AC unit will help keep birds away. An HVAC screen has the additional benefit of removing anything that would clog up your system and preventing allergies from being triggered or aggravated, so it's worth considering anyway.

Trim branches and foliage near the unit so that there are no easy perches for birds to land on. Additionally, you can set up a high-frequency deterrent device near your AC unit to scare away birds trying to nest in the area. However, this isn't always effective.

Small things such as removing any nearby bird feeders and installing bird spikes as a deterrent can be more successful ways of keeping birds away.

Cleaning Up Bird Droppings

Bird poop air conditioner problems are more common than you might think. Once you've removed the nest, you may still need to clean up bird droppings to prevent contamination of your AC unit. Mixing vinegar and water to wipe down any hard surfaces is the best way to do this. You can also utilize a vacuum cleaner to remove dried droppings, but be sure to dispose of this safely before taking the vacuum cleaner back into your home or car, where it might spread infections. As a final measure, use a damp towel or cloth to scrub any stubborn spots. Be sure to wear complete protective clothing and gloves when cleaning bird droppings for your and your family's safety.

To summarize, if you find a bird nesting in your AC unit, it's essential to remove it safely while following local rules and laws, then clean up any droppings left behind. Taking measures like installing screens and netting around your AC unit, trimming branches and foliage near the unit, and installing bird spikes can help keep birds away from your AC unit in the future. If you're still unsure how to safely remove a bird's nest or clean up bird droppings, consult a professional for assistance.

If you're having issues with your AC unit, whether it's bird-related or any other cause, the professionals at Shumate will be happy to assist you.