Quick answer: Allergy season in Austin rarely takes a break: cedar pollen peaks in winter, oak and grass in spring, ragweed in fall, and mold spores show up whenever it’s warm and damp. That pollen follows you inside on doors, windows, clothes and leaky ducts, so closed windows and a good, well-fitted HVAC filter help keep more of it out of your indoor air.
Why are allergies so bad in Austin right now?
Because something is almost always blooming. Central Texas has a long growing season and a lineup of heavy pollen producers that take turns: mountain cedar in the winter, oak and grasses in spring, ragweed in the fall, and mold spores through much of the year.
If your sneezing and itchy eyes feel worse than usual, you’re not imagining it: counts can jump fast on a dry, windy day. Whether it’s pollen or something else, and what to do about it, is a question for your doctor. We’ll stick to the house.
What pollen and allergens are common in Austin?
The usual suspects are cedar, oak, ragweed and mold spores. Here’s roughly when each one shows up:
- Mountain cedar (Ashe juniper): usually December through February, the season locals call cedar fever.
- Oak: spring, when the new leaves come in and cars and patios get a yellow-green coat.
- Grasses: spring into summer.
- Ragweed: fall.
- Mold spores: much of the year, especially after rain and in humid weather.
How does pollen get inside your home?
Mostly through open windows and doors, on clothes, shoes and pets, and through your HVAC system. If the filter is thin, dirty or loose in its slot, pollen can slip past it. Leaky return ducts in the attic can also pull in unfiltered air. Once it’s inside, the same pollen gets stirred back up every time someone walks across the rug.
Why do mornings feel worse?
Many Austinites notice their symptoms peak in the morning, roughly 6am to 10am. Pollen tends to run high early in the day, especially after it has settled overnight. Before you throw the windows open on a nice morning, check our live Austin air quality and pollen index to see today’s conditions.
How can you reduce allergens indoors?
Start with the easy wins:
- Keep windows and doors closed during peak pollen times and on dry, windy days.
- Change HVAC filters regularly. Check monthly during heavy pollen seasons and replace the filter when it looks loaded.
- Run your HVAC fan so more of your indoor air passes through the filter.
- Make sure the filter fits. A gap around the edges lets air go around it instead of through it.
- Consider professional indoor air quality help, like filtration upgrades, duct cleaning or fogging, if the basics aren’t enough.
When should you get a professional air quality check?
When you’ve done the basics and the house still seems dusty or stuffy. A technician can check your filtration, return leaks and airflow. Schedule an Austin home air quality inspection with Gold Eagle Services.
Related guides: Cedar Fever: What Austin Residents Need to Know, What Are MERV Ratings, and How Do They Affect IAQ? and Indoor Air Quality Buyer’s Guide: Protect Your Nest in Austin.
About Gold Eagle Services: This guide comes from the team at Gold Eagle Services, a family-run Austin HVAC, indoor air quality and mold remediation company founded in 2017. We’re licensed (TACLA119235 and RCO1783), insured and bonded, and we serve homes across the greater Austin area.
Need help with this in your home? Learn about our indoor air quality solutions, or call 512-489-4653 to schedule a visit.
