CLINTON —
This summer’s dry hot weather has led to a severe allergy season.
A lack of rain has caused pollen and ragweed to thrive and even stick around longer than usual.
Weeds dominated more than usual this summer due to the warm weather in early spring. The plants sprouted up earlier and had more time to grow and suffocate vegetation and crops.
These weeds grew quickly and contributed to the stunted growth of crops like corn. The larger the weeds are the harder they are to kill, according to Iowa State Extension Crops Field Specialist Virgil Schmitt.
“Weeds were more widespread this year and many came out before herbicide application,” Schmitt said.
“Many farmers ended up trying to kill the weeds with chemicals after they had already grown significantly,” Schmitt said. “The best way to take care of the weeds is to treat them right away and then apply chemicals after to clean up what is left.”
Some allergens were worse than others this year, according Dr. Mark Blaser, who specializes in allergies and immunology at his office in Moline, Ill. The tree pollen season that started earlier than usual this year was severe, while the grass pollen season was light. Tree pollen season occurred from late March to mid-May and grass season went from early May to mid-June. In Blaser’s findings, ragweed was in the low to medium range and actually lower than last year.
“Without rain, there is no cleansing of the air,” Blaser said. “Without any rain there are a lot more mold spores and allergens in the air.”
Oftentimes people confuse the common cold with allergies, according to Blaser. Allergies are differentiated from the common cold by having more itchy symptoms, such as an itchy nose and itchy eyes. Unlike a cold, allergies also tend to hold on longer and happen around the same time of year each year. Most allergens are high from mid-August through mid-September.
Eastern Iowa is currently in the medium to high ranking for pollen counts ranging from 7.3 to 9.6 on a scale of one to 12, according to the National Allergy Bureau web site. Northwest Iowa is in the high range with pollen counts from 9.7 to 12. In the Davenport area, the allergy forecast is currently in the medium to high range, but is expected to drop near the end of the week. On Thursday the pollen count is predicted to drop into the low to medium range and on Friday into the low range.
The only remedy for the season is rain or an early frost. For the time being all allergy sufferers can do is treat the symptoms and keep a tissue box handy.
Features
September 12, 2012
Allergies packing a punch this year
- Features
-
-
Students honored at ceremony
CLINTON -- Seventy-four students from Clinton High School's class of 2013 were honored Thursday during the 27th annual senior honors convocation. The class of 2013 has taken more Advanced Placement tests and has earned some of the highest scores on
-
Group eyes bandshell improvement
CLINTON -- A group of Clinton volunteers wants to transform the Riverview bandshell from an unkempt structure to an attractive venue for community events. Members of Vision 8, a Clinton-based nonprofit organization working together to improve the ima
-
Cool Streak Snapped
CLINTON -- It didn't take long for the Gateway-area to bust out of a recent cool streak that extended through the weekend. In fact, the swing temperature was record-breaking. Tuesday's high of 93 degrees broke a record high from 1932. The temperature
-
Bidding farewell
CLINTON -- For the first time in 55 years, Mark Kapusinski will not have a first day of school to anticipate. The Clinton vocal music teacher is retiring after 29 years with the Clinton School District. His wife Nancy also is retiring. With 22 years
-
Growing Together
CLINTON -- Apartment dwellers and those with small yards can still rent plots in Clinton's community garden. The community garden, located at the corner of 13th Avenue North and North 14th Street, was tilled Wednesday for the planting season. Kelli
-
A road block to businesses?
Camanche Avenue is expected to open Clinton to a bevy of new business and economic activity, but some business owners along the torn-up highway say the construction that started last April has nearly led them to close.
-
In the water's wake: Library works to be fully operational after recent flood damage
CLINTON — In the three weeks since the Clinton Public Library basement was flooded, city and library staff have been working to repair the damage, but the fixes are far from being complete and the Root Cellar remains closed.
-
Two men plan to start Clinton taxi services
CLINTON — Ride-seekers in the Gateway area soon will have two taxicab operations to get them to their destination.
-
Clearing the air
CLINTON -- Smoking in city parks could become a thing of the past as city officials work on a phased-in plan to make some parks and city-run activities smoke free. During the Rules and Regulations Committee meeting Tuesday, members of the Let's Liv
-
A classic opening: Showroom to feature muscle cars, Corvettes
CLINTON — A showroom of vintage muscle cars and Corvettes will welcome drivers crossing the north bridge starting this July. Mike Van Buer, 50, long-time owner of Van Buer Insurance, purchased the neighboring former Second Street Cleaners at 1830 N.
- More Features Headlines
-
