When Pollen Season Starts & Ends Plus Allergy Tips

Understand pollen season and allergens throughout the year. Get practical tips on how to help reduce exposure for a more comfortable allergy season.
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 mites 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 April: Trees
- April to June: Grasses
- August to first hard frost: Weeds
Year-round allergy prevention tips
While allergens are inescapable and can be difficult to control, a regular allergy cleaning routine may help. Clorox™ Disinfecting Wipes and Clorox™ Clean-Up™ Cleaner + Bleach Spray & Mold Remover remove 99% of allergens on hard surfaces, while Clorox™ Disinfecting Wet Mopping Cloths may help remove allergens on floors.
Small habits like keeping windows closed during peak pollen season or checking local pollen count forecasts may help make difference. For allergy prevention and removal in your home, consider using air purifiers with True HEPA filters and HEPA filter vacuums.
Air purifiers equipped with True HEPA filters can capture up to 99.97% of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns, including dust, pollen, pet dander, and mold spores, significantly improving indoor air quality.1
HEPA filter vacuums are designed to trap allergens during cleaning, preventing them from being released back into the air. These vacuums may be particularly effective at removing dust mites, pet dander, and other fine particles from carpets and upholstery.
Lastly, don’t forget personal hygiene and clothing. We recommend washing your hands after spending time outdoors and consider changing your clothes when you come inside.
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, year-round culprits include pet dander, dust mites and mold.
- 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?
First, 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 breathe.2
- Why do my allergies seem worse in the evening?
It’s possible that allergies are even worse in the evening for some people. Throughout the day, you may have been 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?
There are several steps you can take to help keep your home a safe haven from pollen. Consider keeping windows and doors closed, using HEPA filters and cleaning regularly. Place doormats inside and outside your entryways to trap pollen, and remove shoes before entering. Keep pets clean with regular grooming, and change clothes as soon as you come inside.
- What is the worst month for allergies?
Depending on your geographic location and the specific allergen, spring and fall tend to be peak allergy season for many regions due to high levels of tree pollen and ragweed pollen, respectively.
- *
https://aafa.org/allergies/types-of-allergies/pollen-allergy/
- 1.
https://www.consumerreports.org/air-purifiers/what-can-an-air-purifier-catch/
- 2.
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/seasonal-allergies/allergens-pollen
- 3.
https://community.aafa.org/db/ask-the-allergist/record/why-do-my-allergies-get-worse-at-night