Dust Mite Control
Dust Mites
Probably one of the most overlooked pests is the dust mite. Due to their incredibly small size at only .3mm long, they are invisible to the naked eye. Dust mites are commonly found in bedding, carpets, and soft furnishings. They feed off skin flakes and survive best in warm and moist environments, with humidity levels of at least 40%. Dust mites produce protein in their excrement. This protein is full of allergens that trigger human allergies.
Dust Mite Allergy
If you wake up in the morning with a stuffy nose, itchy and watery eyes, stuffy ears, dry cough, or a headache, you have dust mite allergy symptoms. Approximately 10 percent of the world suffers from the dust mite allergy, so you are not alone. If you already suffer from allergies, you have an 80-90 percent chance of being allergic to dust mites as well! If you wake up in the morning full of congestion, and have not taken any dust mite control steps, you are likely suffering from the dust mite allergy. In order to see if you have a dust mite control problem, you can follow some dust mite testing and treatment solutions and see if you notice any improvement. If you are a suffer of asthma, dust mites may be the cause. You should pay attention to how you feel under different surroundings, and if you feel better in drier and cooler places, you asthma may be caused by dust mites. Be sure to check with your doctor.
Dust Mite Kit
One of the best ways to tell if you have a dust mite problem is to use a dust mite detection kit. These kits will test your area for the presence of dust mites and provide you with accurate results so you can determine the proper measures to follow for your situation. Many dust mite test kits are available for you to use and are very easy to use. Two popular dust mite test kits are the MITE-T-FAST Dust Mite Detection Kit and the Aclotest Dust Mite Detection Kit. Both dust mite kits will provide you with quick results so you can find out the true state of your dust mite situation.
Dust Mite Control
Don't let dust mites get the better of you. You have several options available to you for controlling your dust mite problems. One of the most basic and popular choices is purchase dust-proof covers and casings for your pillows and mattress. Synthetic dust-proof covers prevent dust mites from breeding and stop them from tormenting you while you sleep. Liners are also available for your comforter, so that too can stay dust free.
Dust Mite Treatment
Some products are also available that will allow you to treat the dust mite problem areas directly with a spray. Most dust mite treatment sprays contain a tannic acid solution which reduces and kills dust mites. For carpets, you can also apply moist powder cleaners will keep your carpets free from dust mites for two to three months.
Dust Mite Prevention
You can follow some procedures to prevent dust mites from taking over.
- Use an air filter - A dehumidifier will help eliminate excess moisture and stunt dust mite growth. A HEPA air filter will also remove dust that may be floating in the air, letting you breathe freely.
- Get rid of carpets - You should try to design your rooms with wooden or vinyl floors if at all possible. Unlike carpets, which are a safe haven for dust mites, wooden and vinyl floors are not dust mite friendly. If you cannot avoid having carpets, you should have them steam-cleaned frequently. Steam-cleaning your carpets will also kill the dust mites as they cannot endure heat-intensive environments.
- Always vacuum - You should also vacuum your floors regularly. While the vacuum may not take in many dust mites, it will pick up skin flakes, the dust mites food source. You may also want to look into purchasing a special vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filtration system and using dustless vacuum bags so you can better tackle your dust mite problems.
- Wash regularly - Wash your sheets and blankets every week. You should wash your sheets and clothes in hot water as that will kill the dust mites on them. Water temperatures lower than 133F (56C) will allow dust mites to survive.
- Damp dusting - When you are dusting, and use a dry cloth you are only moving the dust back into the air and most likely breathing it in as you are dusting. If you use a damp cloth the dust will not be spread into the air as much, and instead be picked up by the damp dusting cloth.
- Keep it cool - Keep your house as cool and ventilated as possible. Stale air and hot rooms only increase the dust mite population. By cooling the rooms in your house, dust mites will be less active and will not breed as quickly.
- Avoid dust attractors - Items such as stuffed animals, cushions, wool blankets, are all magnets for dust mites. Try to avoid them if possible!
- Start in the bedroom - The most populated dust mite spots are usually in bedrooms. It is estimated that 1-2 million dust mites populate the average bed. While we are sleeping we shed skin and produce heat and moisture. When combined, these elements present a great big invitation to dust mites to start wreaking their havoc. If you start by taking dust mite control measures in your bedroom first, you will feel significant benefit in a short time!
Stopping all dust mites from bothering you is an impossible task. However, you can significantly reduce their population by just taking some preventative steps. By using dust-free bedding encasings, washing and vacuuming frequently, and keeping your house cool and dry you will deal a big blow to the dust mites that have been plaguing you for so long. Take back your peaceful sleep, your congestion-free mornings, and give those dust mites what they deserve!
