Is there a way to get rid of dust mites from our home?
One of the most frequent allergies and asthma causes present within your own house is dust mites. Dust mites don’t actually leave cuts on your body. However, they can lead to skin rashes. You are also more likely to experience other signs of allergies, such as sneezing and postnasal drip.
It might be worth visiting a doctor about potential dust mite allergies if you have persistent allergy symptoms over the year. There are approaches you can control dust mite species in your home while still managing your allergies, but it is challenging to get rid of them entirely.
What Are Dust Mites?
Due to their small size, dust mites can be difficult to detect. It is reported that these tiny arthropods are only 1/4 to 1/3 millimeters long. Only under a microscope, you see them, and even then, they just look like little white spider-like organisms. Female dust mites can last for up to 90 days, while males usually live over a month.
In homes, the cause of dust mites is that they feed off dead skin cells. One individual can shed 1.5 grams of dead skin cells on an average day, which can support up to a million dust mites at a time. Dust mites build their habitats in areas where dead skin is most likely to accumulate, such as bedding, clothing, and carpeting. Blankets and teddy bears, for dust mites, also make good homes.
Although dust mites can be found worldwide, these creatures generally prefer warm and humid environments. As they can burrow themselves deep into fabric fibers, they can also travel with you when taking a vacation or work trip. Dust mites are allergenic themselves, meaning they can induce reactions. They even leave behind skin and fecal matter that can cause allergies as well.
What Do Dust Mite Bites Look Like?
So what do dust mite bites look like? Ah, trick question really. While other bugs you see can bite, dust mites do not really bite your body. However, skin rashes can be caused by an allergic reaction to these troublesome creatures. These, in nature, are also red and itchy. Allergic reactions to dust mites are normal and likely triggered by the mites’ skin and fecal matter materials being inhaled.
You can develop symptoms throughout the year if you have an allergy to dust mites. You may also find that during the hot, humid summer months, the symptoms peak. Some common symptoms of an allergy to a dust mite include:
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- Postnasal drip
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Itchy, water eyes
- Red, itchy skin
- Itchy throat
This condition can also cause asthma, depending on the nature of your dust mite allergies. As a result, you might experience wheezing, coughing, and chest pain. At night, the symptoms can be even worse when you’re lying in bed. The longer you stay indoors, the more vulnerable you may be to problems of dust mites.
How to Treat a Dust Mite Allergy?
Getting rid of the main culprit, as best you can, really is the best way to treat allergies to dust mites. However, depending on the seriousness of the complications, you may need instant relief. Discuss the following treatment options for dust-mite allergies with your doctor:
- Over-the-counter antihistamines. These function by blocking histamine, which is produced when your immune system encounters an allergen. Zyrtec, Claritin, Allegra, and Benadryl are popular antihistamine brand names.
- Decongestants. You can benefit from an over the counter or prescription decongestant to break up the mucus if your allergies regularly cause stuffy nose, postnasal drip, and sinus headaches.
- Allergy shots. These function by injecting into your bloodstream so that you develop resistance over time. Over the course of many months or even years, allergy shots are given weekly and are suitable for serious allergies that are not alleviated by medicines. Until receiving allergy shots, you must undergo allergy tests.
Ways to Get Rid of Dust Mites
It is tough to get rid of dust mites completely, but eliminating as many as you can from your home can help avoid allergies. The following are some of the more popular and efficient methods to try.
Washing
To destroy dust mites and remove allergens, wash all sheets, blankets, pillowcases, and bedcovers in hot water at least 130°F (54.4°C). If the bedding can not be washed hot, put the items in the dryer for at least 15 minutes at a temperature higher 130°F (54.4°C) to kill the mites.
Controlling Humidity
Controlling temperature and humidity in the house can play a vital role in minimizing the dust mite populations. Dust mites thrive in areas of 75% to 80% humidity. Ideally, keeping your home below 50% humidity will diminish any dust mite population.
Vacuuming
Vacuuming regularly is crucial if you’re aiming to reduce the dust mite populations in your home. For a great product to vacuum up the dust mites from furniture and bedding HousMile’s Handheld UV Vacuum Cleaner is a solid option. There are few more as well. Links to Amazon.com.
| HousMile Handheld UV Vacuum Cleaner – By: HousMile | |
| Ultramite UV HEPA Allergen Vacuum and Fabric Cleaner – By: LivePure |
Eucalyptus Oil
As with ants and mosquitoes, Eucalyptus oil has been widely considered an effective way to manage you pest problem. You can make your own eucalyptus oil formulation and spray indoors to kill dust mites on your bedsheets, pillows, carpets, curtains, furniture, etc. A popular recipe for this is to add 25 to 30 drops of eucalyptus essential oil to 5 drops of liquid soap and 2 cups water. Some great eucalyptus oil products available to date are as follows (links to Amazon.com):
| Eucalyptus Essential Oil – By: Handcraft Blends | Premium Eucalyptus Oil – By: Ola Prima |
Baking Soda
When you vacuum, use baking soda. Baking soda is a fantastic disinfectant and removes dust mites.
Vinegar
Vinegar is an acidic liquid that can potentially destroy dust mites. To get rid of all dirt particles and kill dust mites, use vinegar to mop vinyl flooring and dust furniture.
Chemical Sprays
Products such as Steri-fab and Allersearch ADMS Anti-Allergen Spray provide chemical control for house dust mites. Only after washing in hot soapy water is it recommended to spray the bedding, linens, etc.
| 1Gallon Steri-fab – By: Steri-fab | Clean Allergen Spray – By: Allergy Asthma Clean |
| Allersearch ADMS Anti-AllergenSpray – By: Allersearch |
Anti-Allergen Mattress Covers
Anti-allergen mattress covers are a cheaper but very effective alternative to hypoallergenic mattresses. However, they are said to work in a very similar fashion. They essentially function as an impenetrable boundary and does not allow the dust mites to burrow inside the mattress. Some quality anti-allergen mattress covers are as follows (links to Amazon.com).
| SafeRest Premium Zippered Mattress Encasement – By: SafeRest | 300 Thread Count Allergy Control Mattress Protector – By: Allersoft |
| Dust Mite Mattress Encasing – By: Mission Allergy Inc. | Protect-A-Bed AllerZip Smooth Encasement – By: Protect-A-Bed |
Pillow Protectors
Along the same approach – to try to protect yourself and loved ones from dust mites when resting in bed – there are also some quality pillow protectors on the market today. After all, dust mites seem to enjoy making themselves at home in your home’s mattresses and pillows. These pillow cases were created with idea to create a protective layer around your pillow, making it very difficult if not impossible for dust mites to enter. All Links to Amazon.com.
| Allergy Protection Pillow Protectors – By: Aller-Ease | Premium Pillow Protector – By: PlushDeluxe |
| Dust Mite and Allergen Proof Pillow Encasing – By: Mission Allergy Inc. |
Dust Mite Pouches
The idea behind dust mite pouches is that you simply place these pouches in the corners of your mattresses, in your pillowcases, under area rugs, near your sofa and any other area effected by dust mites. The pouches contain natural ingredients that release a pleasant scent to deter dust mites. Below link to Amazon.com.
| All Natural Dust Mites Eliminator Pouches – By: Green Breathe Eco |
Ultrasonic Dust Mite Repellers
These type of repellers emit ultrasonic pulses that disturb the population of dust mites and is said to reduce the concentration of these pests. Simply plug the device into a wall outlet. Links below to Amazon.com.
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Miteless Home Ultrasonic Dust Mite Repeller – By: SonicGuard |
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Diatomaceous Earth
We have mentioned diatomaceous earth many times before on this site, as it an effective pest control means to handle termites, silverfish, ants and many other pests. Diatomaceous Earth is a light powder that is composed of the fossilized remains of diatoms (a type of algae). When insects come in contact with the substance, it damages their external coating and causes them to squander moisture and expire. Lo and behold, Diatomaceous Earth is also used for dust mites. Below links to Amazon.com.
| HARRIS Diatomaceous Earth Crawling Insect Killer – By Harris | Perma-Guard Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth – By: Perma-Guard Inc. |
| Diatomaceous Earth – Natural Food Grade -By: EasyGoProducts | Diatomaceous Earth, Ready to Use Crawling Bug/Roach Killer – By: Bonide |
In Conclusion
If you or someone you love has a dust mite allergy and are currently trying to do something about it, I hope this article and the products listed in it will be helpful. Keep pressing forward with your mission to control the dust mite population in your home. Battle on and be well.
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