Service kits for Velux skylights cost £37 each. Is there a cheaper way?

EddyB

Hello. 

The house we bought four years ago has 10 Velux skylights.  We never open them, but in the summer we open the narrow flap along the top of the odd one, to enable some ventilation.

The problem is that for the past three or four months tiny moths and the odd mosquito have been spotted inside the house when there should not be any - other than the odd quick one that might dart in while an external door is briefly open. 

We live in an area which still has a considerable insect population, so after being assailed by moths and mosquitoes in bed at night during our first months in this house, we spent quite a bit on insect-proof screens on key windows (windows which we need to open for ventilation).

So there should be no insects anywhere in the house.  Yet some have recently started getting in.  The question is how?

The only thing we can think is that some of the insect filters in the Velux skylights may be letting them in.

The previous owners installed the skylights in 2012 and Velux states on its website that the insect-proof strip and the padded tape along the top of the skylights need to be replaced every four or five years. 

Did the previous owners ever maintain the skylights in this way?  I very much doubt it.  So the moths and mosquitoes may be getting by way of this route.

Q. 1.  Each Velux maintenance kit costs £37, probably with an extra amount for postage.  Each kit includes filters and padded tape 2.5m long.  So as each window here is 70cms wide, one pack will do 3 windows.  So I will need to buy 4 packs, totalling £148.  Can the materials be bought at a lower cost somewhere else?

Q. 2. Why does the insect gauze need to be replaced?  It seems to be made from strong, honeycombed plastic.  So why can't it just be rinsed under the tap and put back?  Does the honeycombed plastic deteriorate in some way over time?

The Velux service kit is available from Velux at the following link: Service kit (ZZZ 220) for VELUX roof windows produced before 2014

I've not owned skylights before, but I think the time has come to get to grips with the ones we now have. 

Thanks for any help with this situation. 

goldfinches

Have you tried opening the windows and spraying the outside of the frame and the surround with insect repellent? I find this tactic quite effective if repeated regularly.

WIAWSNB

Hi Eddy.
I am not familiar with these filters - I do have two small Veluxes, but no such filters fitted afaIk.
But, like you, if there were any, I'd be removing and recleaning, unless there was a very obvious reason why this was not acceptable. Can't think of any!
Are some plastics prone to UV degradation? Absolutely. Does sunlight get to these filters? I assume not.
Even if they did become brittle and risked falling apart, what would be the worst outcome? Would these particles fall into the precision Velux mechanism and caused destruction? I don't think so.
What else? Um, are they, perhaps, impregnated with an insect repellent? No idea, but I doubt it - why would the be? They 'filter', end of.
I can therefore only think, and I know this makes me a bigot, that Velux owners are chust toooo posh to remove flies from wee screens, and would be expected to replace them. 
So I think you've answered you own Q
You presumably know the openers can be fully - I think easily - removed for maintenance? 

Section62

EddyB said:

...

So there should be no insects anywhere in the house.  Yet some have recently started getting in.  The question is how?

The only thing we can think is that some of the insect filters in the Velux skylights may be letting them in.

...

I'd be amazed if age-related deterioration of the seals/screens alone was enough to let adult moths get into the house.

Are you able to identify the species?  For example could they be clothes/carpet moths which are in the house already (as eggs/larvae)?