Ventilation in House

Happy Monday · 26-06-2025 08:40PM #1

I have a 3 bedroomed property in Athenry, Co. Galway.

The house has been largely vacant over the last number of years.

I stayed there recently and have been itchy since.

Could this be due to poor ventilation in the property?

To resolve should I just get the current vents changed or invest in a more sophisticated ventilation system?

Or would maybe a good clean and staying in the house would resolve the issue?

All comments greatly appreciated.

Happy Monday.

10-10-20 · 27-06-2025 12:12AM

Hi, if it's unused and unheated then it's prone to molds and mites associated with damp. The right answer here would be to reduce the relative humidity by heating and ventilating it, but you should also wash the bed linen in a hot-wash to kill off any mites as I think that they can be a bigger problem with facial itching than mold alone.

Stay in it more often and open out the windows for a good portion of a dry day.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mold-allergy/symptoms-causes/syc-20351519

CelticRambler · 27-06-2025 05:41AM

What do you mean by "largely vacant" ? If you've had some people staying there, and they've had cats - or just cats, without people - it's possible that you have a flea infestation.

Flea larvae enter a cocoon to complete their life cycle, but don't come out of it until they sense that there's an animal presence in the house. Doesn't have to be cats - humans will do. The sudden burst of activity in, for example, holiday homes that have been shut up for several months will trigger an exodus from the cocoons and anyone who's still there a week or two after the house has been opened up will suffer bites, especially around the ankles/lower legs.

Ventilation won't help that, and enthusiastic washing makes it worse (high humidity is one of the triggers). You need a good aggressive chemical insecticide (and then ventilation ! )

Happy Monday · 29-06-2025 08:54PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123582811#Comment_123582811

It sounds counterintuitive to think heating the house would help with humidity but yes, this is probably a step I'm missing.

Even if I put on the clock a 2-3 hours a day when I'm not there.

Happy Monday · 29-06-2025 08:57PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123582884#Comment_123582884

Yes - completely vacant.

Chemical insecticide - and apply to the carpets, beds or the whole house.

If this cocoon theory is correct, the itching should disappear a few weeks after reoccupation.

Ventilation in House

Comments