Storm season is coming, the humidity is rising, and the fire ants are already here. Here’s how to get ahead of it all.
Spring in East Texas is beautiful — the dogwoods are blooming, the evenings are getting longer, and everything is turning green. But it’s also the time when our houses, yards, and budgets take a beating if we’re not ready. Here are six things worth doing before May rolls in.
1. Check Your A/C Before You Need It
Don’t wait until the first 95-degree day to find out your unit is struggling. Change your air filter now, clear any debris around the outdoor unit, and run the system for a test cycle. If it’s been more than a year since your last professional tune-up, schedule one while the HVAC companies still have openings. A well-maintained system runs more efficiently — and that shows up on your electric bill all summer long.
2. Clean Your Gutters and Check Your Drainage
East Texas storms don’t play around. Clogged gutters mean water backs up against your fascia and foundation. Walk the perimeter of your house after the next rain and watch where the water goes. If it’s pooling near the foundation, you may need to extend a downspout or regrade a trouble spot. Twenty minutes of prevention now can save thousands later.
3. Treat for Fire Ants Early
If you live in East Texas, you have fire ants. The question is whether you’re managing them or they’re managing you. Spring is the best time to broadcast a bait treatment across your yard — before the colonies explode in the heat. Look for mounds in the morning when the soil is still cool and the ants are active near the surface. Treat individual mounds with a contact killer and broadcast bait for the ones you can’t see yet.
4. Inspect Your Roof and Trim Your Trees
Storm season in our area typically runs from April through June, and high winds are the biggest threat to our homes. Look for missing or curling shingles from the ground with binoculars. Trim any branches that overhang your roof or hang near power lines. Dead limbs on pine trees are especially dangerous — they’re heavy, brittle, and they come down fast when the wind picks up.
5. Refresh Your Emergency Kit
If the last time you checked your emergency kit was during last year’s storm warnings, it’s time. Replace expired batteries, check your flashlight, update your medication supply, and make sure you have at least three days of water on hand. If you have a generator, run it now to make sure it starts. The worst time to find out it doesn’t work is when the power’s already out.
6. Review Your Electric Plan
Summer electricity usage in East Texas can double or even triple compared to spring. If you’re on a variable rate plan, now is the time to review what you’re paying per kilowatt-hour and see if a fixed-rate option makes more sense before the summer peak. A few minutes comparing plans today could save you hundreds over the next four months.
None of these take more than a weekend to knock out, and most of them cost little to nothing. The key is doing them before you need to — because in East Texas, the heat and the storms don’t wait for anyone.
What’s on your spring to-do list? Drop your best tip in the comments — we’ll share the best ones next week.
