Playing in leaf piles should be fun. Please be aware of potential health hazards.
Playing in a pile of red, yellow, orange and brown autumn leaves is undoubtedly one of the most fun things anyone can do this time of year. Crunching over them, sweeping them into giant mounts, jumping in and tossing them in the air — it’s the perfect fall activity. But is it always safe? There’s always the chance some bugs (or, eek, snakes) are dwelling in those leaves. And what about things like mold or other allergens? Should you let your kids play in leaf piles? Here's what experts say.
What kinds of insects and other creepy crawlies hide in leaf piles?
“During the fall, many insects find shelter beneath fallen leaves, including ants, various roach species and millipedes and centipedes,” Danielle Restuccia, division technical services manager at Orkin, tells Yahoo Life.
She says deer and American dog ticks are especially prevalent in the Eastern U.S., while wood ticks are generally present in the Rocky Mountains and Midwest. Stink bugs and future yellow jacket queens also sometimes use leaf piles when entering dormant states for the winter.
“Ticks are the most dangerous pests lurking in leaf piles, as they can transmit diseases like Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Powassan virus,” says Restuccia. “Each of these illnesses can be particularly dangerous for children, causing long-term health problems if not treated quickly.”
How concerned should we be about allergens?
“Having an allergy to tree fruit, tree pollen or flowers can indeed cause an allergic reaction or asthma exacerbation when playing in the leaves of the same tree,” says Dr. Jason Bellak, owner, president and allergy/immunology physician at the Allergy & Asthma Center in Las Vegas. “This is due to the presence of cross-reactive allergens in different parts of the plant.”
Bellak says some symptoms of an allergic reaction may include rhinoconjunctivitis (better known as hay fever), wheezing, exacerbated asthma symptoms and contact dermatitis.
“Ragweed pollen is a particular type of pollen that has its highest counts in mid-September and can cling to fallen leaves or be kicked up into the air by raking and/or playing in leaf piles,” adds Dr. Brynna Connor, a family medicine physician and health care ambassador at NorthWestPharmacy.com.
And that's not all that should worry allergy sufferers. “Mites and other arthropods, such as the red spider mite ... can be present in leaf piles and may exacerbate allergic conditions like asthma and rhinitis,” says Bellak. So while the red spider mite does not bite, it’s still a cause for concern when present.
What about mold?
Seemingly innocuous leaf piles may even have mold growing in them. But just how bad is it?
“Mold spores will grow on the decaying leaves, and leaves that are wet due to rain and/or dew can become a breeding ground,” Connor tells Yahoo Life. “Playing, raking or even walking through moldy leaves can cause spores to become airborne and trigger an allergy response and/or allergic reaction.”
Connor and Bellak both cite Alternaria, Cladosporium and Aspergillus as some of the most common types of mold spores found this time of year; all of them can cause respiratory issues for those with asthma or mold allergies. Bellak adds that Alternaria and Cladosporium, in particular, are known to be potent aeroallergens, which means those with allergies to them (or people who are immunocompromised) risk the potential for severe asthma, including hospitalization, as well as invasive fungal infections.
So how do we keep kids who want to play in leaf piles safe?
Sure, there are icky pests and allergens lurking about in leaf piles, but does that mean we need to give up those crunchy, carefree cannonballs? In a word, no. It’s still possible to keep enjoying this outdoor activity, but experts say to follow these safety tips:
Consult an allergist: Bellak suggests meeting with a board-certified allergist or immunologist to determine what your child is allergic to and develop a treatment plan.
Always have meds on hand: Bellak recommends using medications as prescribed to control asthma and/or allergies and having inhalers readily available.
Dress your child in protective clothing: Experts recommend long-sleeved shirts, long pants, closed-toed shoes and maybe even gloves to help keep ticks away from the skin. “Parents can take additional precautions with their little ones by tucking pants into socks and dressing children in light-colored clothing to make it easier to spot ticks,” says Restuccia.
Consider using repellent: If ticks are present in your area, Restuccia says exposed skin should be treated with tick repellent. She says parents can even consider using clothing treatments to deter ticks.
Inspect piles: “Do a quick check of any leaf piles for bugs and/or insects, or anything else that could potentially cause injury,” says Connor. She recommends checking down to the bottom of a pile for mold, especially if it’s been rainy or dewy lately.
Monitor and limit exposure: Try to keep it to just a few minutes of foliage frolicking, and watch for any signs of allergy or asthma symptoms while children play.
Check for ticks and bites: Once kids are finished playing, experts recommend checking their clothing, skin and hair for ticks and inspecting their skin for bites.
Remember to wash up: It’s always a good idea to change out of (and wash) any clothing worn during leaf play and follow up with a shower or bath.
Don't leave piles out for long. You'll want to rake that leaf pile into a lawn bag rather than leaving it out overnight. According to Clegg's Pest Control, leaf piles that are sitting for extended periods of time may attract snakes (some harmless, some not). Have your fun in a fresh pile of leaves, then tidy up.