Spring has sprung and so have seasonal allergies!
The sprouting greenery contains organisms that love to irritate those with sensitive allergies. Pollen seems to show up everywhere; you may see it on your freshly washed car or patio furniture. Pollen is produced by nearly every plant during reproduction; as the sun’s out and the weather’s warm, they can photosynthesize thus increasing pollen. No wonder your eyes feel so itchy! Another often overlooked, allergy-triggering organism is mold. Mold can be found on rotting logs, fallen leaves, compost piles, and other damp places. According to the allergy company Zyrtec,“during the spring months, decomposing plants that have not survived the cold of winter can turn into vehicles for mold growth.” The best thing to do when dealing with pollen, grass, or mold allergies is to keep all areas as clean as possible and utilize allergy medication. Keep hand sanitizer and over-the-counter meds such as Zyrtec or Claritin on you at all times, invest in a HEPA filter or dehumidifier, wear sunglasses and hats, wash your hands and wipe down surfaces. Inform your friends and family of your allergies so you can avoid them during activities in allergy-hub spaces.
Besides plant allergens, bugs like bees, stink bugs, ladybugs, ants, flies and more fill the cracks and crevices indoors and outdoors. Bees are the most brutal of the bunch because they carry two allergens: pollen and venom from bee stings. If you see a bee flying around, do not swat at it. Simply ignore it, walk the other way, or keep the doors and windows open for it to fly out. For any bugs or insect bites, keep allergy cream or EpiPens, if necessary, on you at all times.
In contrast to bees, stink bugs are harmless but they definitely live up to their title as a bug that stinks! At the first sign of a threat, they secrete a foul-smelling liquid that lingers on anything it touches. They like to hang from light fixtures, and drop when threatened, which is why you may see them flying around in your house. Ladybugs fall and drop in the same way. These insects contribute to the cycle of life so they will continue to appear, but there are ways to mitigate their presence. Make sure you’re not leaving any food out especially near windows, and seal any cracks or holes in your foundation including screens. According to ruralsprout.com, you can spray strong-smelling substances on your windows and door frames such as citronella and neem oil, or even rub dryer sheets around those surfaces.
When you find the right balance of managing your allergies and domestic space, you can enjoy spring to its full extent.