Dust Mites – Questions & Answers
What are Dust Mites and what do they look like?
Dust mites are tiny, insect-like pests that feed on dead human skin cells. Measuring around one-quarter to one-third of a millimeter, they are too small to be seen with the naked eye. Under a microscope, they look like white bugs. They have eight legs and so are not insects, but arthropods like spiders.
Where are they found?
Dust mites hide in mattresses, bedding, upholstered furniture, carpets, curtains and clothing. They thrive in areas of high humidity (around 70-80%), and in temperatures of around 20-25°C.
How do I know if I have Dust Mites?
As dust mites are too small to be seen, the main indication of their presence may be seen physically, through allergies. Both the body parts and waste of dust mites are allergens for many people, and even once they die, they can continue to cause allergic reactions. Symptoms can include sneezing, coughing, runny and stuffy nose, and itchy eyes, mouth, skin and throat. A dust mite allergy can also trigger asthma, which may cause wheezing, chest tightness or pain and difficulty breathing.
How do they find you?
Dust mites are naturally occurring creatures that can come from almost everywhere, and are found in almost all homes.
How do they feed?
Dust mites mostly feed on the tiny flakes of skin that we shed every day. These flakes work their way deep into the layers inside bedding, carpets, furniture and even soft toys. The average adult can shed up to 1.5 grams of skin per day, which is enough to feed one million dust mites!
How can I avoid getting Dust Mites?
As we have mentioned, dust mites are found almost everywhere and so are difficult to prevent. However, there are measures that you can take to reduce the number of places that they can live, and keep them under control:
*Cover mattresses and pillows in zippered dust-proof covers. These covers are made of a material with pores too small to let dust mites and their waste product through. They are also called allergen-impermeable.
*Wash your sheets and blankets weekly in hot water. You have to wash them in water that’s at least 130°F or more to kill dust mites.
*Get rid of all types of fabric that mites love and that you cannot easily wash regularly in hot water. Avoid wall-to-wall carpeting, curtains, blinds, upholstered furniture and down-filled covers and pillows in the bedroom. Put roll-type shades on your windows instead of curtains. Any furnishings that cannot be easily washed can be treated with a dust mite killer spray.
*Dust regularly to reduce the amount of dust and improve overall indoor air quality in your home. When dusting, use something that can trap and lock dust (like a damp washcloth or microfiber cloth) dust to reduce the amount of it that is stirred up when cleaning.
*Vacuuming is not enough to remove all dust mites and their waste. A large amount of the dust mite population may remain because they live deep inside the stuffing of sofas, chairs, mattresses, pillows, and carpeting. We have a range of treatment products available that can help you here: Bed Bugs & Dust Mites
Treat other rooms in your house like your bedroom. Here are more tips:
Avoid wall-to-wall carpeting, if possible. If you do use carpeting, mites don’t like the type with a short, tight pile as much. Use washable throw rugs over regularly damp-mopped wood, linoleum or tiled floors.
Wash rugs in hot water whenever possible. Cold water isn’t as effective. Dry cleaning kills all dust mites and is also good for removing dust mites from living in fabrics.
Keep the humidity in your home less than 50%. Use a dehumidifier and/or air conditioner to do this.
Use a CERTIFIED filter with your central furnace and air conditioning unit. This can help trap dust mites from your entire home. Freestanding air cleaners only filter air in a limited area. Avoid devices that treat air with heat, electrostatic ions, or ozone.
Is there a risk of disease?
Dust mites do not bite, and do not spread disease. The main concern is that they can cause suffering through allergic reactions, and can worsen the symptoms of pre-existing conditions such as asthma, eczema and rhinitis.
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