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Hi guys! I’m jumping the fence from Cooks Talk & maybe y’all can help me out. Last summer, my ac was invaded w/frogs. Tried bleach, ammonia, liquid soap, bug spray, & malathon (sic?)- couldn’t get rid of them. Landlord took the back off, couldn’t find anything. So, over time, I captured them & threw them across the road (I made sneak attacks at night, they’d be on the wall. Now they are back, I would mind, but the air coming from the unit is smelling froggy again!
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Adele,
The best way to deal with them may be to head them off at the pass.
The best suggestion may be to find something to put on the wall that will keep the frogs from either wanting to, or being able to, (or both...), get to the AC. ie, maybe something with a lot of small sharp items in it. Maybe something as simple as glueing emery cloth to the wall around it.
If that fails, get some hardware cloth and make a box of it to cover the complete unit outside.
*Thanks Luka, should of just asked ya in Ipke. Can't put anything on the wall, I have an @$$ of a landlord who lives on the other side of the duplex & he would have a fit if I put anything on his wall that people could see!!! I like the idea of covering it. I happen to have some old screening in the utility shed, perhaps I can rig something from that. Don't mind the frogs, just is that the odor from the AC, expecially in the morning when they go back in is disgusting.
*The screening sounds like an excelent idea. I have no doubt you can rig something from it that will keep them out of it.As for the smell, make sure the unit is draining properly. If you can reach up under the thing to clean it out, do so. Then, when you do the screen thing, make sure you don't block the available drainage. If water is collecting in the pan, then the drain is clogged or the thing needs to be set at a bit more of an angle to the outside. Collecting water may even be the reason the frogs are attracted to it in the first place.Didn't they decide that the bacteria that collects in those wall-units when they don't drain right, may have something to do with legionaires' disease ? Maybe having a proffessional come for a look at it may be in order. Have them completely clean the unit, check for leaks, reset the angle, etc. All the stuff in a normal 'checkup'. Probably worth the money.
*I've got a good recipe for frog's legs! ;-)
*I think Luka is right. Frogs themselves shouldnt smell, and the only thing that I can think of that would attract them is the puddle in the bottom if it's not draining right.
*Try charging the a/c frame with a fence charger....just kidding..........i think/...
*Thanks guys. There is standing water in the bottom (slimy too- yuck!) Landlord will fix it this weekend!
*rivet.......................rivet..
*Some window A/C designs now collect the water and use it as additional cooling. The water is pretty cool and can absorb heat from the compressor.The Legionnaire's thing was industrial cooling towers I think, where water is specifically collected and is an integral part of the cooling. That doesn't mean regular window units can't be yucky though.Even if frogs don't smell, I imagine frog excretment does...
*LOL!!!
*i That doesn't mean regular window units can't be yucky though. i Even if frogs don't smell, I imagine frog excretment does... All I know is that SOMETHING stinks & it is just too hot & humid here in Orlando to NOT run the AC. When the new landlord took over, & started refurbishing, I had the option to get central AC. BUT, he would need to take over one of my two closets that I keep clothes in- each closet is 38" wide (just measured). Now, what girlie do you know that could put up with one 38" wide closet?? Not me!! As an aside, when the refurbishing was going on, I met John, the 'do everything' guy, painted, took out the old AC, which was located at the front of the duplex, by the door, which meant I had full sun on it from noon to sunset. (The new AC is in the carport & the air now actually reaches the bedroom!)Anyway, this guy was so nice! Never left a mess, had his OWN vacuum cleaner in his van! As a result, I kept pepsi in the fridge for him & left notes to let him know his lunch plate was in the fridge & how long to nuke it! The stucco ceiling guy actually LEFT ME MONEY for dinner one night when the stucco didn't set & he was still working when I got home from work, plastic over everything. I asked him how long should I leave & he said he just had a half hour of work & an hour to tear down the plastic. I told him not to bother tearing down the plastic (over the kitchen, carpet, EVERYTHING was plastic) just leave me a space on the couch & uncover the TV, & microwave, the reaction from this guy was amazing! You would of thought I'd given him a thousand bucks! I went out to the carport to read, he left, & on the couch was 25 bucks for dinner, since I couldn't cook & a note saying that the teardown & then re-prep saved him hours of work! So, this is one girlie who knows how to take care of her men!!!Know I rambled, just wanted to let y'all know that ONE person appreciates you!