The residents of Bethlehem, PA are days away from sweltering temperatures, tornado warnings, pest invasions, and blasts of rainstorms. If you are like many others, you are expecting this year to be especially hot, which means that your home will be at full force with all of the unpleasant things associated with the summer heat. Before summer cleaning the grill and pulling the lawn furniture, taking the time to prepare your home for the summer will allow you to focus more on enjoying longer days, than worrying about pest invasions and a poorly operating air conditioner. So, Saucon Insurance Agency has put together a mini-guide to help you prepare your home for summer.

Prevent Pest Invasions

Summer weather is notorious for bringing out pests, especially ants and flies. Most bugs go into hibernation during the colder months, unfortunately, they may decide to stay out of the cold by hibernating in or near your home. The minute it starts to warm up, the bugs that have been staying warm inside of your walls and attic will begin to make their presence known. One of the most common types of pest problems is ants. Here are some tips to prevent and get rid of ant invasions:

• Make sure everything is sealed up tight, including caulking around doors and windows. Check for gaps and fix any with weather stripping and caulking.
• Spray the outdoor perimeter with a good, over-the-counter pesticide. Spray along the foundation, around windows and around porches and stairs.
• If you are already noticing ants in the kitchen and/or bathroom, place ant baits in areas where you are noticing their trail.
• Be sure to clean up all crumbs and spills as soon as they occur and keep food items in tightly sealed containers.

Give Your Air Conditioner a Checkup

The best time to make sure your air conditioner is doing its job is before you need it. Turn on the air conditioner and make sure it’s in good working order In many situations, it something minor, such as a dirty filter, so before contacting an HVAC company, replace the filter and clean all debris on or around the exhausts and vents. Be sure to clean all dirt and debris from the outside unit as well. After taking these steps, if it isn’t working like it should contact an HVAC company to inspect the unit.

Now that you have taken the steps necessary to prevent pest invasions and ensured that your air conditioner is functioning as it should, it’s time to check for leaks in your home. Because it doesn’t matter how well the air conditioner is working if the air is slowly leaking out. Before calling a professional, do your own simple home energy audit first. Check for drafts around doors and windows, ensure all windows are opening and closing properly and check to make sure the attic insulation is still in good condition.

Residents of Bethlehem, PA who interested in learning information about homeowner insurance or considering upgrading their current policy, contact Saucon Insurance Agency.