When Pollen Season Starts & Ends, Plus Allergy Tips

Close-up of dandelion seeds resting on brown hair with a blurred green background.

While trees and grass pollinate in Spring and weeds in late Summer, a daily routine with Clorox PURE Allergen Neutralizer sprays can help you manage allergens all year long.

When most people think of allergies, they often associate them with the blooming flowers of springtime. However, allergies can strike in any season, with common triggers including pollen, mold, dust mite matter and pet dander. The intensity of these allergens can vary throughout the year, making it essential to understand when pollen season starts and ends.

Pollen types by season & their common triggers*

Pollen changes like the seasons. Here’s what to know to prepare throughout the year.

  • February to May: Trees
  • April to June: Grasses
  • August to first hard frost: Weeds

Year-round allergen management tips

While allergens are inescapable and can be difficult to control, an allergy maintenance routine may help.

Daily habits

Seasonal considerations

  • Check local pollen count forecasts regularly and plan your day accordingly.
  • Closing windows can help make a difference during peak allergy seasons.

Extreme measures

  • While they can be a costly option, air purifiers equipped with True HEPA filters can help to manage dust, pollen, pet dander and mold spores to improve indoor air quality1.
  • HEPA filter vacuums can be effective for removing dust mite matter, pollen, and other fine particles from carpets and upholstery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do seasonal allergies only happen in Spring?

Seasonal allergies may occur throughout the year. While high levels of pollen can trigger allergies in the Spring, and weed pollen in late Summer, remember that indoor allergens, which include pet dander, dust mite matter, and mold can cause symptoms year-round.

Why are my allergy symptoms worse on some days than others?

Daily pollen levels can be affected by weather conditions and time of day. They can be especially higher on windy days and in the morning. Your allergy symptoms may also be affected by how much time you spend outdoors.

Can I track pollen levels to reduce exposures?

Absolutely, many weather apps include pollen levels in their forecasts, or you can download a pollen tracking app that provides real-time pollen count updates for your area.

Why do my allergies seem worse in the morning?

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, many plants release pollen early in the day as part of their growth cycle. This combined with morning’s cooler temperatures and higher humidity can help pollen stay closer to the ground, making them more concentrated in the air you breathe2.

Why do my allergies seem worse in the evening?

According to an Allergist at the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, throughout the day you can be exposed to a wide load of allergens, both indoors and outdoors. When you lie down in bed or recline on the couch with your favorite nighttime TV show, nasal congestion can worsen as everything in your nose starts to drip down your throat.3

Can I prevent pollen from getting into my home?

Consider keeping windows and doors closed, placing doormats inside and outside your entryways to trap pollen and removing shoes before entering. Keep pets clean with regular grooming and change clothes as soon as you come inside. A daily air care routine including Clorox PURE Allergen Neutralizer sprays can help neutralize the non-living pollen that makes it into your home. Clorox PURE is being called a “game-changer” by Allergists like Dr. Michael O’Connell, MD, FAAAAI, FACAAI, Board-Certified Allergist, as it neutralizes allergens by permanently changing the shape of the proteins so they can’t bind to your body’s receptors.

What is the worst month for allergies?

According to Dr. Michael O’Connell, in the Northern and Midwestern U.S., pollen exposures tend to be the highest around Labor Day when ragweed peaks plus grass pollen is still present and Memorial Day when grass pollen tends to peak and tree pollen may still be present. The most common seasonal allergy pattern in these areas of the U.S. is ragweed Hay Fever which occurs in August and September.