If you want to keep the birds out of your unit and away from your home, make your yard and air-conditioner less hospitable to them.
Things You Will Need
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Remove any nesting materials left on or under your unit. Remove bird feeders, birdbaths or birdhouses from the area to avoid encouraging birds to consider your home a good habitat.
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Place fake predators, such as plastic or inflatable owls or snakes, on or near the unit to discourage birds from returning to the area.
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Wipe the unit down thoroughly with a strong-smelling cleaning product, such as bleach or vinegar, to further discourage birds. You also can spray the unit and the surrounding area with bird repellent.
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Turn on the air-conditioning unit's fan and run it nonstop during the spring and summer when birds are nesting. They are less likely to roost on a running unit. In some parts of the country, you may have to run the unit year-round or remove it from your home and store in in a safe location when it is not in use.
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Install grates, netting or or wire mesh around the air-conditioning unit to limit the birds' access.
The Drip Cap
- Birds that are looking for a dry, sheltered place to roost and lay eggs occasionally build nests around window air-conditioning units.
- Place fake predators, such as plastic or inflatable owls or snakes, on or near the unit to discourage birds from returning to the area.