Householders urged to place plants near windows and doors this summer
House plants help improve air quality as well as having other important uses.
British homeowners are being advised to place house plants close to windows and doors this month as hay fever season peaks. Pollen levels rise between late March to September, with the first peak being the first two weeks in June.
In late March, tree pollen is released and lasts until mid-way before grass pollen takes over and is active until July. Shortly after this weed pollen peaks from late June until September. This timeline can vary depending on where you live. The north of Britain usually has less pollen than the south of the UK.
It's believed grass pollen affects the majority of hay fever sufferers. This is what usually causes symptoms in people in June and July.
Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.
You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.
All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in!
If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like.
To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
There is currently no cure for hay fever and it is managed with preventative medication and measures, including antihistamines. Experts believe there are several things people can do at home to help minimise pollen exposure, reports the Express.
One easy thing experts recommend is introducing some house plants into your home, as these not only help filter air pollutants, they can also trap pollen.
Some good options to introduce include Dracaena plants, Pothos, Peace Lilies and snake plants. Simply place them on windowsills and by doors to help trap pollen particles that enter your home.
Haldi Kranich-Wood, Wool Interiors Specialist at British Wool, says: 'Make a pollen trap with house plants. Some house plants, like spider plants, peace lilies, or Boston ferns, act like natural air filters and can help trap airborne particles, including pollen.
'Try positioning a few by your windows and doors to create a leafy line of defence. Just make sure to wipe their leaves regularly, that trapped pollen still needs evicting.'
Online doctor and pharmacy e-Surgery adds: "Certain plants can eliminate toxins in the air so they may be beneficial in reducing allergy symptoms. The best plants to keep in the house are ones that remove formaldehyde and benzene, both of which can be harmful to those that suffer from allergies. Plants that do not flower are best for hay fever sufferers.
"Some plants can absorb toxins through their leaves and release moisture which can reduce dust in the air. The best plant for cleaning the air is Aloe as having one of the plants in your house is equivalent to nine biological air cleaners.
"Another which is just as good is a spider plant. Spider plants are efficient at getting rid of the harmful compounds' formaldehyde, styrene, carbon monoxide, and benzene. The plants are also super adaptable to living inside as they can photosynthesis under very little lighting.
"The snake plant, or also known as Mother-In-Law's Tongue is almost indestructible, so this is a particularly good one if you're not the best at caring for your plants. It's also good at cleaning the air around itself so is perfect for allergy sufferers."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
32 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
New Love Island bombshell Toni reveals crippling health battle that saw her rushed to hospital
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LOVE Island bombshell Toni Laites has opened about her chronic health condition ahead of entering the villa. The American star, 24, is set to enter the Mallorca house as the first bombshell of this year's series – and is ready to bag a British boy as she believes they're "more polite with better manners" than their American counterparts. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 6 Toni has shared her health battle with ulcerative colitis Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 6 When she was 17, doctors looked after her to make sure she got to prom Credit: Instagram/@connecticutchildrens 6 Toni thanked the doctors for making her prom dream come true Credit: Instagram/@connecticutchildrens But ahead of entering the villa, Toni shared that she is also battling an illness that leaves her in agonising pain. She said ahead of entering the show: "I have ulcerative colitis. I had to go to hospital the same week as my senior prom. "They told me, 'You can't go' and then they said, 'Surprise, you're going to prom!' "Nothing that exciting happens in Connecticut, so it was a big deal and a few articles were written about me." "What I hope people see from me being on Love Island is that not all illnesses are visible," she added. "It doesn't have to hold you back, you can travel etc…I live my life day-to-day like anyone else." In 2018, Toni was taken to prom straight from the hospital at Connecticut Children's Medical Center, with the team looking after her making sure she was primped and primed for the event. She wrote a gold sequinned mermaid gown for the event, and posed with her doctors before going. The hospital later shared photos of her getting ready on Instagram, writing: "After spending a week inpatient for a flare up of #UlcerativeColitis, 17-year old Toni Laites of Newington was told she would be unable to attend her her team of doctors and nurses at Connecticut Children's banded together to grant her a therapeutic leave, giving Toni the opportunity to experience the Cinderella prom she always dreamed of." Toni has said she's entering the Love Island UK villa because dating in the States is "a mess" – particularly after moving from Connecticut to Florida and then Las Vegas, Nevada. Love rats & machete arrests: Love Island's most DRAMATIC launch ever?! "I live in cities that are fast-paced and party places; Las Vegas and Florida," she explained. "People are here for a good time, not a long time. I live in Sin City! "I do love Las Vegas. I've met some of the greatest people I've ever met there. I'm willing to relocate, it would just break my heart to not have my job anymore." She warns that her "icks" are bad breath, bad hygiene, and not being dressing appropriately for a date. Toni will enter the house this week, with the series kicking off on Monday night with Maya Jama welcoming this year's line-up to the villa. Love Island starts Monday at 9pm on ITV, ITV2 and ITVX. What is Ulcerative Colitis? Here's what you need to know about Ulcerative Colitis.. Colitis is a condition where the colon and rectum become inflamed. The colon is the large intestine, or bowel, and the rectum is the end of the bowel where stools are stored. Ulcers can develop on the colon's lining and bleed and produce pus. Ulcerative colitis is a form of colitis that is caused by autoimmune inflammation (the body attacking itself), whereas colitis can be caused by a number of factors including infection. Ulcerative colitis is similar to another condition which causes inflammation of the gut - Crohn's disease. Symptoms can often be very mild for weeks or months but flare ups with extreme symptoms can cause a lot of pain and trouble for sufferers. Find out more here. 6 Despite being told she couldn't go after a flare up, the doctors made it happen for her Credit: Instagram/@connecticutchildrens 6 The star looked incredible as she made it to the event Credit: Instagram/@ctvarsity
Daily Record
an hour ago
- Daily Record
Unusual smell that could mean you have bed bugs and how to banish them
Searches for 'bed bugs' have risen by 838% in the UK. According to experts households should be cleaning their mattresses every six months to help prevent a build-up of bacteria, germs and, the words nobody wants to hear, bed bugs. In the last seven days, online searches for 'bed bugs' have risen by 838% in the UK. So, with Brits scrambling to spot and prevent infestations, bedroom furnishings experts are warning homeowners to watch for an unusual almond-like smell which could be a telltale sign of a significant bed bug infestation. Bed bugs are small, wingless insects that feed on human blood and are typically found around beds to stay close to their food source. Norman Smith, Director and owner of Invicta Environmental, a pest control company said this distinctive odour is often missed by people looking for more obvious signs like bites or spotting the insects themselves. He said: "When bed bugs have established themselves in large numbers, they release pheromones that create a musty, sweet almond smell. Many people don't connect this smell with bedbugs and might search for other causes like damp." Bed bugs are believed to be masters of hiding and can be very difficult to spot. Norman added: "Most people think they'll easily see bed bugs crawling around, but they're incredibly sneaky insects. Their flat bodies allow them to hide in the tiniest cracks and seams of mattresses, bed frames, and furniture." The small insects have evolved to be particularly evasive, only emerging to feed when humans are deeply asleep and less likely to disturb them. Norman said: "Bed bugs typically feed for two to five minutes before retreating back to their hiding places. This usually happens between 2am and 5am when people are in their deepest sleep stage." The bedroom expert also highlighted another unusual sign - rust-colored stains on sheets and mattresses which aren't always connected to bed bugs. According to Norman, people often mistake these small brownish stains for dirt or other marks, but they're actually bed bug droppings. The dark brown or rust-colored spots can stain bed linen and mattresses, and are a major red flag that bed bugs have moved in. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. He added that finding blood spots on sheets is another significant indicator. Saying: "After feeding, bedbugs can leave small blood spots behind. These aren't usually from the bite itself, but from the bedbug being squashed if you roll over in your sleep." Unusual bite patterns can also help identify a bed bug problem. Norman said: "If you notice bites in a straight line or clustered in a small area, this could be bed bugs. It's sometimes called the 'breakfast, lunch, and dinner' pattern because if a bed bug gets disturbed while feeding, it will move a short distance and try again." The bedroom furnishings specialist stressed that prompt action is critical for tackling bed bug problems as bed bugs reproduce extremely rapidly - a female can lay approximately 200 eggs in just five days. This means a small problem can quickly become a major infestation if not addressed immediately. For those concerned about a possible infestation, Norman advised: "Strip the bed completely and check all seams and piping of the mattress. Don't forget to inspect the bed frame, particularly in corners and joints. Bed bugs can hide in the smallest cracks - as thin as a credit card."
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Garden fences will be covered if you use 'fast-growing' climbing plant
The trumpet vine is a 'fast growing' climbing plant that can transform a plain fence or wall into a lush, green backdrop but it does come with a warning Garden gurus have revealed the ultimate solution for an unsightly plain wall or fence: a fast-growing, vibrant climbing plant known as the trumpet vine. It is touted as a "fast-growing" climber and praised for swiftly bringing verdant life and striking flowers to any bland backdrop, reports the Express. TikTok garden aficionado Michael (@themediterraneangardener) recommended the vine for those looking for a unique climber, saying, "Looking for a climber that's a little bit different, then maybe consider the trumpet vine." Explaining its distinctive features, Michael added: "Trumpet vines or Campsis radicans are a vigorous woody climber grown for its attractive orange-red trumpet-like flowers in contrast to its lush green leaves." He emphasised its rapid growth, with promises of quick coverage for walls or fences: "Fast-growing, it will quickly cover a wall or a fence." And for those seeking seasonal blooms, he noted, "If you're looking for a climber that flowers late summer to autumn, then this one is for you." Growing Trumpet Vines Boasting impressive heights of up to 30 to 40 feet and widths between four to 10 feet, trumpet vines thrive in full sun to partial shade – requiring at least six hours of sunlight nearly every day. The Spruce's gardening pundits suggest minimal watering for these climbers, advising only to hydrate them when signs of wilt occur. For many regions, they claim the typical rainfall is ample to maintain the plant's health. "About one inch of water per week, through a combination of rainfall and/or irrigation, is entirely sufficient for good plant performance." No fertilisers are required for Trumpet vines; they are "aggressive spreaders" and can thrive in lean soil. The soil type must be sandy, clay, moist, and well-drained. "These vigorous vines do not require any particular care once they are done blooming," reported the Spruce. However, pruning is recommended in the spring before growth starts. "Cut the plant back to nearly ground level, leaving only a few buds. It is also okay to cut back in late autumn after the leaves have dried and fallen. This kind of aggressive annual pruning is the best way to keep the plant in check," advised the gardening experts. Gardeners should remember that trumpet vines have rampant growth, which means it's wise to plant them at least six to 12 feet away from buildings or trees. Additionally, these plants are extremely flammable, so it's not wise to plant them adjacent to house foundations or building walls where wildfires are a risk. The Spruce experts cautioned: "A neglected plant that is not pruned back annually can envelop a home or garage in a way that creates a severe fire risk."
