Air quality, pollen and pests

It is for anyone thinking about, planning or carrying out a move to Spain. After reading, you will know what is in the air and around your home, and how to deal with allergies, dust, mosquitoes, caterpillars and household pests.

Start with "Air quality in Spanish cities: pollution, ozone and how to check it". It explains the main pollutants, the summer ozone problem and the official indices you can use to check the air where you live. From there, move to the pollen calendar, the page on new allergies, or the pest pages that match what you are facing.

Managing a chronic respiratory condition, low-emission zone driving rules, and who repairs what between landlord and tenant are covered elsewhere.

Key rules

• Processionary season: Caterpillars leave the pines in processions from roughly February to April, earlier in the south and on the coast, so keep children and dogs away from pines then.
• Tiger mosquito season: In most of Spain the tiger mosquito is active from about April-May to November, with the peak from July to October.
• Nests on private land: The owner, or the community of owners for shared gardens, must have nests in its trees treated by authorised professionals.
• Who pays for pests: The landlord pays for infestations linked to building defects or damp, the tenant for those caused by their own habits, and the community for common areas and drains.
• Worst pollutant: The index level on any given hour is set by whichever pollutant is worst at that moment.
• Sensitive people: From Regular upward, limit long outdoor exertion if you have asthma, heart or lung problems, or are a child or older adult.

Air quality, pollen and pests: the whole process, step by step

The year at a glance

• Winter and early spring: tree pollen starts (cypress, plane tree). Read Pollen calendar: what blooms when in each part of Spain: January to March, with plane tree in March-April

• Pine nests are visible; have nests on your own land treated by authorised professionals. Read Pine processionary caterpillars: danger to children and dogs: Winter, before the caterpillars leave the pines

• Keep children and dogs away from pines as caterpillars march down. Read Pine processionary caterpillars: danger to children and dogs: February to April, earlier in the south and on the coast

• Spring peak of olive and grass pollen. If symptoms last weeks and return each year, see your GP. Read Developing allergies after moving to Spain: April to June, into early July in Madrid

• Tiger mosquito season begins; use repellent and remove standing water. Read Mosquitoes, ticks and diseases such as West Nile and dengue in Spain: April-May to November, with the peak from July to October

• Saharan dust episodes are most frequent on the peninsula; limit intense outdoor exercise on bad days. Read Calima: Saharan dust episodes and how to handle them: Spring and summer on the peninsula; winter in the Canary Islands

• Ozone peaks; plan outdoor activity away from the afternoon. Read Air quality in Spanish cities: pollution, ozone and how to check it: June to August, in the afternoon from about 2pm to 8pm

• Check for ticks after walks and see a doctor if fever, rash or a spreading red patch appears. Read Mosquitoes, ticks and diseases such as West Nile and dengue in Spain: Within about 30 days of a bite

• Household pests: arrange professional treatment and expect a follow-up visit. Read Cockroaches, ants and rodents in Spanish homes: what to do: Any time of year; second visit after about 2 to 3 weeks

• Weed pollen and mould spores continue. Read Pollen calendar: what blooms when in each part of Spain: Summer to autumn

• Autumn treatment of young caterpillars; arrange it through authorised firms or your town hall. Read Pine processionary caterpillars: danger to children and dogs: Autumn

• Before buying or renting an older home, commission a survey for termites and carcoma. Read Termites and wood pests when renting or buying in Spain: Before signing; a hidden-defect claim against a seller generally runs six months from delivery

Documents you may need

• Service certificate from the pest-control company — Cockroaches, ants and rodents in Spanish homes: what to do

• Written quote from a licensed company — Cockroaches, ants and rodents in Spanish homes: what to do

• The purchase contract wording — Termites and wood pests when renting or buying in Spain

• Product safety data sheet for the biocides used — Cockroaches, ants and rodents in Spanish homes: what to do

• Warranty or follow-up terms in writing — Cockroaches, ants and rodents in Spanish homes: what to do

• A survey report — Termites and wood pests when renting or buying in Spain

Air quality, pollen and pests: questions that cross several articles

Who pays when pests or pest treatment affect my home?

It depends on the cause: the landlord pays for infestations linked to building defects or damp, the tenant for those caused by their own habits, and the community for common areas and drains. For caterpillar nests in a shared garden, the community of owners must have them treated. Read Cockroaches, ants and rodents in Spanish homes: what to do and Pine processionary caterpillars: danger to children and dogs.

How do I tell a pollen allergy from a cold or a reaction to dust?

Pollen allergy brings itchy eyes and nose, repeated sneezing and clear watery discharge, with no fever, and it lasts weeks and returns each season. A cold fades in 7 to 10 days. Read Developing allergies after moving to Spain, then check Pollen calendar: what blooms when in each part of Spain to match your symptoms to the season.

Which health steps help on days with calima or high ozone?

Limit intense outdoor exercise, and if you have asthma, COPD or heart disease, or are a child or older adult, stay indoors with windows closed and keep your medication to hand. Ozone is highest in the afternoon in summer. Read Calima: Saharan dust episodes and how to handle them and Air quality in Spanish cities: pollution, ozone and how to check it.

How do I get an allergy diagnosis in Spain?

Start with your GP at the centro de salud, who can start treatment and refer you to an allergist; you can also book an allergist privately without a referral. See Developing allergies after moving to Spain.

What outdoor and garden risks should I watch for in spring?

Spring brings caterpillars leaving the pines, the start of tiger mosquito activity and peak pollen. Keep children and dogs away from pines, check for ticks after walks and plan for pollen. Read Pine processionary caterpillars: danger to children and dogs, Mosquitoes, ticks and diseases such as West Nile and dengue in Spain and Pollen calendar: what blooms when in each part of Spain.