Indoor Allergens Could Be Linked to a Pest Infestation

With springtime allergies in full swing, you and some of your family members are probably sneezing up a storm.

(Bless you if you happen to sneeze while you’re reading this blog.)

Pollen is your worst enemy this time of the year, but there could be another reason for your runny nose and watery eyes — an unknown pest infestation. Cockroaches, rodents, and mites have all been known to trigger an allergic reaction and cause asthma attacks.

How to Remove Pest Allergens

Make Kitchen Cleanliness a Priority

When it comes to pests, the kitchen is one of their favorite rooms, no matter the species. Crumbs, spills, moisture and heat from appliances, and food that isn’t stored properly are all reasons for pests to love this room in the house.

Dirty kitchens that attract pests like cockroaches, rodents, ants, etc., will suffer from an increase in allergens. Saliva, urine, droppings, skin casings, and decomposing body parts all contain allergens that can trigger a person’s allergies or aggravate their asthma.

Clean the kitchen at least once per week, but be sure to clean things as you go on a daily basis. If something spills, wipe it up immediately (spray with a cleaner if it’s sticky). When crumbs drop, sweep them up. If food isn’t sealed properly, place the contents in a sealable plastic or glass storage container.

Keep Dust Levels at Bay

Dust mites feed on dead skin cells, hair, pet dander, and everything else that makes up dust. An infestation of dust mites can easily occur for those who don’t regularly remove dust from their home.

Be honest — how often do you take the time to dust? Well if you’re one of the 20 million known Americans who have a dust mite allergy, you better start now!

Dust your home’s surfaces and knick-knacks with a microfiber cloth (before vacuuming), sweep floors, vacuum carpeting, and wash bedding at least once per week to control the dust levels in your home. Also, have your air ducts cleaned every couple of years to remove built-up dust and allergens from your HVAC system.

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While we can’t do anything about you sneezing because of pollen, we can certainly help out if you’re sneezing because of a pest infestation!