What a wonderful time of year! Time to do all that spring cleaning, yard work, and preparation for a long, hot summer. We need to prepare for those pesky termites and other wood destroying insects.

Walk around the exterior of your home and check for termite tracks, rotted or soft wood at the bottom of siding, and soffet areas behind those wonderful gutters. If you see any termites or signs of previous termites, I suggest you call a licensed pest control company ASAP. If no signs are evident, it’s a good idea to sprinkle some granular dursban at the base of the foundation, next to the slab or perimeter beam. Try using the gray pellet type granules instead of the type that looks like wood shavings. The pellet type does not blow in the wind as easy, and stays in place longer when you water in.

Check the attic for any venting you may have sealed, and check the duct work coming off the A/C unit(s) for any loose ducts that could affect the efficiency of your system(s). Make sure your soffet vents are clear of insulation or other debris that would hinder the air flow to your ridge or roof vents. Rinse off the outside fins of your A/C compressor after you have made sure the power has been shut off. This helps the fan’s performance as it cools the compressor. Check the insulation on the coolant lines from the A/C compressor to the house.

You know those gapes in the brick where the mortar was left out?(if you have brick) These gaps should occur every 4 to 6 bricks at the bottom of the wall. They are supposed to be there. They are called weep holes. They allow any moisture that forms behind the brick wall to drain to the outside. They also allow air flow behind the wall to help prevent mildew and mold from forming behind the brick veneer. Check to make sure the weep holes are not closed off by dirt or mulch from the flower beds.

Check the weather stripping, caulking and seals around windows and doors before the heavy rains start. The cold winter could have caused cracking in caulk or seals that would allow water to penetrate and cause damage.