Keep Pollen Where it Belongs – Outside

Tips for Battling the Yellow Stuff, While Still Being Able to Enjoy the Beauty of Spring

It’s that time of year again. While Spring may have sprung a little earlier than many expected – with temperatures reaching up into the 70’s and 80’s – with it comes an unwelcome guest, pollen. That fine yellow dusting that coats our cars, patio tables, and… well, EVERYTHING that exists outside our homes, is wreaking havoc on even the healthiest of souls. With record high pollen counts already listed in the history books for this year, we’re afraid it’s not going anywhere anytime soon – but there are a handful of fairly simple ways you can combat it and keep it where it belongs… outside.

1)      Fight the Urge to Let the Fresh Air In: It’s gorgeous. The birds are chirping, the flowers are blooming, and the weather is perfect with just a slight breeze in the air. The outdoors beckon and you long to let them in by opening a window here and there. Big mistake. Until the pollen counts have died down, you’ll want to crank on the A/C and peer out those closed windows for awhile. It’s a great excuse to clean them – from the inside.

2)      Make Sure to Mask Before You Mow: Bermuda lawns all over Atlanta are waking from their not-so-long winter slumber, and could likely benefit from a good scalping. Of course that means you’ll be kicking up lots of pollen as you make your way through the grass. Visit your local hardware or home improvement store and purchase multi-packs of sanding masks or particulate respirators – you’ll still be able to breathe, but won’t be taking in as much of the pollen. This is also a great trick for weeding and planting in those flower beds.

3)      Enter the De-pollination Chamber: Try your best to route your family – including the family dog – through the mud room, basement, or laundry room of the home. It’s important to have one designated space for everyone to remove their pollen laden shoes and towel off before entering the rest of the home. Give Fido a once over with a damp towel to remove any pollen that might be stuck to his fur and paws, too.

4)      Let the Sunshine in, While Keeping the Pollen Out: The addition of a sunroom allows you and your family to enjoy nature’s beauty, while avoiding nature’s nuisances – like mosquitoes, ants and – you guessed it – pollen. A sunroom can become a much-beloved extension of your current home – providing a four-season space where the outdoors plays an integral role. Outdoor living spaces and room additions are just two of our favorite projects at Highlight Homes – let us combine them for you for a one-of-a-kind room custom-designed to fit the distinctive needs and collective personality of your family.

5)      The End is (Almost) in Sight: The pollen won’t last forever, and when it’s gone – you may be ready to get outside and celebrate. Now could be the perfect time to let the Highlight Homes’ design/build team brave the ravages of pollen season, so you and your family can enjoy a brand new deck, outdoor kitchen, or pool with stone patio in just a matter of weeks. Think of all the grill-outs, pool parties, and neighborhood gatherings you could be hosting!

In the event that you would like to consult with the talented designers and builders at Highlight Homes about a new sunroom or outdoor living space project, we want you to know that our consultations are not only friendly and informative – but also hold no obligation on your part. We can discuss your project with you over the phone or face-to-face to help you determine the scope and budget you’ll need for the project. (FYI – Highlight Homes is proud to now accept credit cards for all of our home improvement projects!) Getting started is easy!  We invite you to call us at 678.873.9234, e-mail the team at info@highlighthomesga.com, or fill out our convenient online contact form.  To learn more about Highlight Homes, please visit us at www.highlighthomesga.com.