What are Dust Mites?

Dust mites are microscopic insects that live in abundance in people’s homes. They are ideally suited to home life because dust mites avidly consume the skin particles shed by humans and animals. They also tend to make their home in places like pillows and mattresses. In fact, a typical mattress can contain as many as 100,000 dust mites. Stuffed animals, carpets, and stuffed furniture are also key dust mite habitats.

One cannot completely eradicate dust mites. This is unfortunate since many people are allergic to dust mite excrement. About 10% of the population is significantly allergic to dust mite excreta, which causes some of the worst allergies, in particular, childhood asthma.

Though one cannot completely get rid of a dust mite population, one can reduce the population of dust mites. Certain tips can help make the home a less friendly place for dust mites. Probably the single most important step in getting rid of dust mites is to use plastic coverings on mattresses. There are many anti-dust mite covers which can help reduce the number of dust mites by providing a barrier between them and the mattress. This is effective because dust mites most commonly live in mattresses, and may spend about a third of their life cycle in the mattress.

As well, blankets and sheets should be washed at least every two weeks in hot water. Sadly, blankets and sheets made from natural fabrics are most prone to dust mite infestation. If shopping for new pillows and blankets, synthetic fabrics and filling are better, and some are even marketed as dust mite proof.

For children’s rooms, look for washable stuffed animals. One can also freeze stuffed animals in plastic bags for a week to reduce the number of dust mites. This may be challenging if a child has a lot of stuffed animals, and perhaps talking a child into letting go of all but a few favorites will be effective, and may be important if a child shows severe allergy to dust mites.

Getting rid of dust by daily damp cloth dusting or vacuuming also helps. Carpets should be vacuumed regularly. Vacuums that are most effective include a HEPA filter, which keeps the dust mites or their excreta from circulating back into the air. Vacuuming around and under beds, and stuffed furniture once a week can also help control dust mite populations.

Dust mites also seem to thrive in humid and warm conditions. Thus number of dust mites decrease during winter months, and increase during summer months. Keeping household humidity low, less than 50% is often helpful. Air conditioning also helps keep dust mite numbers lower during the summer months.

Carpeting is often ideal for populations of dust mites. Where possible, replace carpeting with wood, tiled or linoleum floors. If one can’t get rid of carpeting, be certain to thoroughly vacuum carpets at least every other day. An on hard floors, vacuum instead of sweeping. Sweeping merely pushes dust mites and their excretions around and back into the air.

While one can’t get rid of all dust mites, the above tips may help reduce them. It’s important to remember that allergy to dust may also include allergy to other things contained in dust or in the air. For example, cigarette smoke or pet dander tend to make people just as allergic as do dust mites.