Mold allergies are a painful reality for many Missouri residents. Ten percent of the population has some form of mold allergy. Worse, a sufficient presence of mold spores can bring out a reaction in anyone. If you’re hiking outside during a moldy boom, you may find yourself suffering from runny nose, sneezing, and even asthma as a result. Knowing the Central Missouri mold and mildew peak seasons allows you to plan your life (and your cleaning schedule) to help limit exposure and ease symptoms.
July through the late fall is peak mold season in Missouri. The mold boom often begins during summer thunderstorms. However, it also occurs gradually over time. Mold prefers a warm but wet climate, which means the weather controls how long the peak season continues. If you have a warm fall, you could still suffer from mold-related allergies into late October, even November. On the other hand, a cold snap may play havoc with other symptoms, but a very cold September can lower the Central Missouri mold population to manageable levels.
Mold doesn’t just affect people during the peak season. There is mold present all year around. If you’re sensitive to mold, always watch the weather. A lot of humidity promotes mold growth. April flowers bring May flowers, but they can also bring a bumper crop of mold spores. If you know that you are sensitive to mold spores, treat them the way you would any other pollen allergy. It doesn’t have to control your life, but knowing when your morning run or weekend hike could be more difficult will help you plan accordingly.
You don’t have to sit there and take mold allergies laying down. There are a few things you can do to make your home a refuge from mold. Start by cutting out mold in your home. Just as outside mold loves warmth and humidity, mold in your house does as well. Clean the bathroom and kitchen thoroughly, and don’t allow puddles of standing water to sit in your home.
When it comes to tackling mold from outside your house, you have to be a little more creative. Try to keep the windows closed during peak central Missouri mold season. Also, close them down if you’re having an especially hard day any other time. Use fans and HVAC systems to circulate your air. Remember to clean the filters on your furnace and get your ducts cleaned periodically. A good time to do so is at the end of peak central Missouri mold season, so you’re not dealing with recirculated mold spores the rest of the winter. If it’s been a while since you had your ducts cleaned, however, there’s no wrong time to start.
Mold and mildew can make life much more difficult for you. If it’s getting to central Missouri mold season, try to limit your exposure. Hope for a quick and crisp autumn! Cleaning your ducts and closing the windows can help keep mold spores outside, rather than circulating through your house.