Early Signs of Mite Infestation You Need to Know
Mites are small bugs of 0.5 to 2.0 mm in length, which makes them invisible to the naked eye. They belong to the family of spiders and ticks. Mite infestation is the common cause of mysterious bites and itch-like symptoms because they are hard to spot.
There are thousands of species of mites that infect plants, animals, insects, and even humans. Mites can pass disease to humans and animals they come in contact with. That is why understanding the early signs of mite infestation in the house is necessary.
Types of mites that attack humans
Commonly mites feed on plants and animals, but there are a few types that attack humans and eat their dead skin cells. A few species of mites that attack humans are.
Dust mites
Scabies
Chiggers
Rat mites
Northern fowl mites.
Common Early Mite Infestation Signs Everyone Should Know
Mites prefer to live in humid, warm areas, especially on carpets, pillows, mattresses, and furniture. The mite infestation signs can vary from specie to specie, but there are a few symptoms that are similar for all human attacking types of mites. Signs of mite infestation in house you should be aware of are.
The mysterious appearance of small red bumps on the skin
Inflamed and dry skin
Formation of red patches
Uncontrollable itch
Formation of blemishes like acne
The appearance of a rash, which may consist of welts, hives, or small bumps
Continuous irritation and swelling near the bites
Watery eyes with sneezing and nasal congestion
Tips to Prevent Mite Infestation in the House
Mite infestation is a common problem and can happen unnoticed. Therefore, it is essential to prevent the infestation from happening. You may not be able to eliminate mites from your house, but these tips will surely prevent a serious infestation.
1- Clean your sheets and pillowcases properly
It is necessary to clean your pillowcases and sheets regularly to remove dead skin cells.
Use hot water from 130°F to 140°F to clean your pillowcases, sheets, and blankets. It will kill any mites residing in your sheets or blankets.
Wash your sheets and pillows every week.
Using high heat, dry your sheets, pillowcases, and blankets properly. You can also air dry them during the summers.
2- Use Dustproof covers
Mites commonly grow in sofas and mattresses. Cover your mattress and sofas with a dustproof cover to prevent mite infestation. You should also ensure that your mattress and sofas are always dry.
3- Vacuum and damp mop the floors regularly
It is necessary to vacuum your floors and furniture every day if you have more dust in your environment. Clean your floors with a damp mop to prevent dust mites from developing. Use a damp cloth to clean furniture and remove dust.
4- Avoid using carpets
Mites grow rapidly on the carpet because it offers the perfect warm and humid conditions. Therefore, avoid having carpets, especially in your bedrooms. It is better to have hardwood or tile floors in the house. However, if you want carpets, avoid keeping them on a concrete floor. The heat from the concrete floor will be captured by carpet and produce a favorable environment for mites to grow.
5- Reduce humidity levels in the house
If you live in a warm and humid area, it is better to reduce humidity levels in your house. Using an air conditioner or dehumidifier is a great way to reduce humidity and control the growth of mites in your house.
Final Thoughts on Mite Infestation
Mite infestation can lead to serious health problems if you do not control the issue at an early stage. There are some DIY remedies to get rid of a mite infestation, however if you are unable to control the infestation, call professional exterminators to do the job. Moreover, consult a doctor if you notice any allergic reactions and get the required treatment.
Miteinfestaion.com blog was started to help others deal with the problems of Mites, bed bugs, fleas, ticks and other small, often unseen critters that give us problems. We hope these articles are a help to you as you deal with these types of issues. Any product or service we provide on these pages have been proven to work. We are solely reader supported so we may receive a small percentage as an affiliate of Amazon and other companies.