1) Open your crawl space vents outside at the foundation.

2) Check your plants, shrubs, and trees around the house. Make sure they are pruned back away from the house. Foliage that touches your home leads to excessive moisture and creates an easy path for ants and other unwanted insects on your siding.

3) Keep your cooling systems running smoothly. Before hot weather sets in, change your air filters and schedule maintenance for your cooling system. Also, dust ceiling fans, clean portable fans, and install window air conditioning units if needed. We also suggest adding curtains to windows to help keep the cool air in and hot air out.

4) Clear debris from your gutters and downspouts.

5) Treat your home to insects. There are several good products that you can apply yourself or hire a pest control company to do for you.

6) If your home has a wooden deck look for loose hand railing, split or decaying wood, and loose or missing hardware/connectors. Also look closely for signs of rot, insects, and water damage which is especially common where the deck meets your home.