When you think you’ve gotten rid of all the pests and rodents in your house, you may still not be the only one living there! How to get rid of dust mites in your house, and as long as there’s dust in your home, you can’t escape them. Discover how to get rid of dust mites in this article.
Unfortunately, they are a common cause of allergies. You may not notice them because they are invisible to the naked eye. But, if you mostly experience allergy symptoms when in bed, dust mites are the culprit. The good thing is that several good practices can help you with how to get rid of dust mites.
In this article, we will cover the following:
- What are dust mites?
- Where do dust mites live?
- Symptoms of dust mite allergy and,
- How to get rid of dust mites.
What are Dust Mites?
Dust mites are a type of mite found in the house. Mites belong to the same family as spiders and ticks. Like all other mites, dust mites are hard to see with the naked eye. You will need a microscope to see them. Here is an article about 8 types of mites that should help identify what you have.
Dust mites feed on dead skin cells of humans, called dander. You can find them anywhere there’s dust, so they are very common in the home. These mites are pests to humans. Though they don’t bite, they cause allergies and can even trigger symptoms in people with asthma or hay fever. Dust mites, their carcass, and droppings cause allergies.
Where Do Dust Mites Live?
Dust mites live in homes with high humidity levels above 50%. They can live anywhere there’s dust, but you will usually find them in areas where they can feed. Since they feed on dead skin cells, they most times live on:
- Mattresses
- Upholstered furniture
- Pillows and bedding
- Carpets
Symptoms of Dust Mite Allergy
Dust mites might not be an issue for the regular person. But, dust mites are a nuisance to people with dust mite allergies and asthma. If you are allergic to dust mites and their droppings, you will notice these symptoms:
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- Itchy, watery eyes
- Runny nose
- Itchy throat
- Red, itchy skin
- Postnasal drip
- Wheezing
- Difficulty breathing and chest tightening (for people with asthma).
7 Ways to Get Rid of Dust Mites in Your Home
It’s very difficult to completely get rid of dust mites because they are anywhere dust is. However, it’s possible to reduce them and eradicate them with time. There are several ways to control and work out how to get rid of dust mites:
Wash Your Bedding
The favorite spot of dust mites is in your bedding. You shed dead skin on your bedding, which is dust mites’ daily meal. Letting your bedding get dirty will give them room to thrive. Hence, frequently washing your bedding, at least once a week, will destroy them.
Wash bedsheets, pillowcases, blankets, and duvets on a hot cycle of at least 130°F. However, this might be too hot for some of your bedding. So, you can freeze them for 24. Place them in a plastic bag and place them in the freezer. But freezing will only kill mites but won’t get rid of the allergens.
Use Dust-Proof Covers
Dust mites will always search for food in homes. But, an effective way to avoid them is by creating a barrier between you and the mites. Covers with zippers protect against allergens like dust mites and their droppings. The cover will trap the mites and eventually kill them.
Use dust-proof covers to protect your mattress and pillow. But this shouldn’t replace regular washing of your bedding.
Dust Regularly
Eliminating dust gets rid of mites. An excellent way to do this is regular cleaning practice. Dust items around the home often, paying special attention to fixed household items like picture frames, wall clocks, and shelves.
When dusting, use a damp cotton cloth. Ensure you don’t use a dirty cloth to wipe a clean surface. Instead, dump the cloth once it’s dirty or rinse off the dust before continuing.
Vacuum Often
If you have carpet and upholstered furniture, vacuum them often. Carpet and upholsteries trap dander, making them home to dust mites. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to trap dust and prevent them from returning to the air.
Steam cleaning at 200°F also helps to kill dust mites. Steam clean your upholstery and carpet often to kill house dust mites.
Maintain Low Humidity
Dust mites love humid environments because they absorb moisture from the air. You should ensure that the humidity in your home is lower than 50 percent. If you live in a humid area, use a dehumidifier to regulate humidity levels. Purchasing a hygrometer will also help you keep track of humidity levels.
Replace Carpeting and Change Upholstery
Vacuuming your carpet and upholstered furniture may kill dust mites. But, it won’t get rid of their droppings and carcass. The best way to eliminate them is by replacing carpets and upholstery. This might sound drastic, but it’s something to consider if you have an allergy.
In general, reduce fabrics around the home. Replace carpets with tile or wooden floors, and replace upholstery with leather or synthetic materials that don’t trap dust. Also, remove draping and replace bedding like a duvet with ones that are easier to wash. Remove decorative bedding like throw pillows and bed skirts. The idea is to eliminate any breeding ground for dust mites.
How to Get Rid of Dust Mites Conclusion
House dust mites are a type of mite that lives in the house and feeds on human dead skin cells. Although they don’t bite, they cause allergies and worsen asthma symptoms. As a result, they are a nuisance to man. Knowing how to get rid of dust mites is difficult because they live anywhere dust is. But regular cleaning and washing of bedding, etc., can help get rid of them.
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.
[…] type of mite infestation in humans is caused by dust mites. Dust Mites are microscopic creatures that feed on dead skin cells and can be found in bedding, carpets, and […]