If the sneezing and itchy eyes weren't enough to tip you off, the telltale yellow and green films on exterior surfaces are a clear sign that it's pollen season. Although many people welcome the return of sunny days and warmer temperatures, they dread the dip in air quality that comes when plants and trees begin to produce this substance.

You'll simply have to endure the pollen when spending time outdoors. However, you can make the interior of your home much more comfortable by taking steps to keep pollen out.

Keep an eye on the weather forecast to monitor when pollen levels will be particularly high. Susan C. Condlin, writing for the North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension, says pollen is most prevalent in the morning and on dry, sunny, breezy days.

When these weather conditions are present, keeping your windows closed can help keep pollen at bay. Becky Harris, writing for the home design site Houzz, says this step may not appeal to some homeowners, since people are naturally interested in letting in fresh air once the temperatures heat up. One compromise option is to close the windows during the morning to block pollen when it is most likely to be in the atmosphere.

You might also install a filter in the window to prevent pollen from drifting in. Annie Groer, writing for the Washington Post, says these filters can be installed over window screens to block most particulate matter.

When using the air conditioner, make sure to replace or clean the filters once a month. This step will keep the device running properly and help improve the air quality in your home. Condlin says a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter is the most effective way to screen out pollen.

Mow the lawn regularly. If you allow the grass to grow, it can produce more pollen around your home.

Keep pollen in mind when entering or exiting the home. When you work in the garden or otherwise spend a lot of time outside, you can pick up a lot of pollen and inadvertently bring it inside.

If the pollen count is particularly high, you might want to leave your shoes outside and change clothes after you come in. Your hair can pick up a good deal of pollen, but washing and rinsing will send most or all of it down the drain.

Pollen can be especially aggravating if it is still on your body when you go to bed. Groer says the grains can wind up on your pillow, where they can easily be inhaled or aggravate your eyes. Consider showering at night instead of in the morning during pollen season to clean off these allergens.

Pets will also bring in pollen if they have been outside. Giving them a thorough brushing before they enter the home can help keep interior pollen levels down.

Be a little more fastidious about cleaning your home during pollen season. A damp rag or microfiber cloth will be effective in keeping surfaces clean. Harris says you should try dusting about twice as often as usual, including hidden areas such as fan blades or the top of the refrigerator.

Vacuuming at least once a week will also reduce the level of allergens. If you are particularly sensitive to pollen, you might want to run the vacuum through your home every day. Empty the vacuum bag outside so you don't accidentally rerelease this dust in your home.