Spring Allergies? The Cause Might Be Lurking Inside Your Home!

Springtime brings about many changes. Many of us look forward to the warmer temperatures, blossoming flowers, and budding trees. But for those of us who are allergy-prone, this also means itchy, watery eyes, and runny noses. While outdoor pollen is the most frequent culprit, what causes your allergies is often lurking inside your home.

Dust mite pellets and mold spores are the two main indoor allergy triggers. Both thrive in warm and humid conditions, typical of spring weather.

DUST MITES

Dust mites are microscopic organisms that live in carpets, mattresses and upholstery. Dust mites feed on dead human skin cells (aren’t you glad you can’t see them?). Their feces (pellets) permeate the air and are inhaled by humans. These pellets can produce mild to severe allergy symptoms in susceptible people. A humidity level of 50% or more is the most ideal climate for dust mites.

MOLD SPORES

Mold spores are found everywhere in nature and are a common component of household dust. Mold spores feed on organic matter (such as food, leather, and the paper on drywall) and can even grow in colder temperatures, like refrigerators. A high concentration of mold spores can make an allergy sufferer’s life absolutely miserable.

CONTROLLING INDOOR ALLERGNS

Air inside a house always moves upward. Studies show that one-third of the air you breathe originates from the basement or crawl space. Having a damp basement or crawl space greatly contributes to the increase of mold spores and dust mites, as well as the chances they infiltrate the rest of your home.

How do you get rid of these allergens and create a healthy home environment? The only proven strategy is to control the house’s moisture level. Here are a few tips on how to get humidity under control:

• Start by eliminating the biggest sources of moisture. Waterproof your basement or encapsulate your crawl space.
• Make sure your attic is properly ventilated.
• Check your home for leaks of all types, including those in the roof, windows, doors, and plumbing.
• Your bathroom and dryer vents should always be flowing to the outside and not into the attic.
• Have your home professionally air-sealed to minimize external air infiltration.
• Have your HVAC ducts checked for leaks and sealed. Keep the ducts and the filters clean.

Following these tips will not only keep allergens under control, but will provide additional benefits in terms of energy savings and property value. To learn more, visit our website.