Dust Mite Control
The Dust Mite Allergy Cycle
How do we prevent dust mites from taking over?
Old pillows and mattresses should be replaced to ease the suffering of anyone with dust mite allergies. The bodies that build up in these materials is phenomenal, and can be the cause of much suffering. Depending on how extreme your allergies are, extreme measures can be taken to protect yourself from allergic reactions to dust mites.
Plastic covers can and should be used for mattresses and furniture wherever possible. The mattress should be wiped down once a day with a damp cloth to prevent the accumulation of dust, which harbors the dust mites. Vacuuming should become almost a religion, with anything fabric (drapes, furniture, carpet, and blankets) being either vacuumed or washed at least once a week.
Carpets should be replaced with tile, hardwood, or linoleum where at all possible, since the fibers in the carpet are like dust mite high-rises. Hard floors should be swept and mopped at least once a week to keep dust down.
These measures might sound extreme, but dust mite allergies can be extremely debilitating. For the first vulnerable years of a child’s life, especially, it is important to keep exposure to dust mites to the minimum possible in order to keep them from suffering from these allergies in the future. For those of us that are already suffering, these measure might serve to make life indoors a little less painful for the future.
If you do find that you have dust mites living in your home, you can use the powders and sprays to kill them off, however, you’ll still need to prevent them from coming back. The first and most important means of prevention is to get a plastic cover, or something that dust mites can not penetrate, for your mattress. This, along with fitted sheets, will help prevent dust mites from getting inside.
You’ll also want to make sure you put your pillow through the wash every week and your sheets and blankets at least every couple of weeks. However, when you wash them, you’ll need to use very hot water, at least 130°F. The hot water will kill the dust mites, but if you have anything that can not be washed in hot water, you can kill dust mites by throwing the fabrics into the freezer for more than twenty-four hours. You’ll also want to wash the curtains every week or two, as well.
Other items that are important in the control of dust mites consist of cleaning often. Each day you should dust the plastic mattress cover and each week you’ll want to vacuum under the bed and clean the base of the bed and the frame. Always use a damp rag or a mop to do this so you don’t stir things up. You’ll also wan to vacuum your carpets every day to get rid of any dust mites living in them. If your children have any soft, fluffy, stuffed animals, you can also throw them in the freezer before you wash them, as well.
Unfortunately, dust mites aren’t easy to find, however, you can do a lot to prevent them from coming into your home. Cleaning is the number one prevention method. While they are not dangerous, they can cause allergies and if you suspect they are living with you, take care of them immediately. Just because you can’t see them, doesn’t mean they are not there.
“How do I kill dust mites?”
Dust mite infestations are perhaps one of the most common, with about half of all domestic dwellings being infested at some level. Unlike the average household pest, the dust mite is microscopic and is therefore invisible to the naked eye. For this reason, the infestation is usually only discovered when symptoms arise in the residents of the infested household.
The symptoms can range in severity from minor (sneezing), to severe (asthma attacks). In fact, recent studies have revealed that the majority of all asthma attacks are caused by dust mite allergens. Fortunately, controlling and killing dust mites is not impossible, and there are many tips and methods that aid in the process of eradicating or minimizing dust mite infestations.
Controlling Dust Mite Infestations
Completely eradicating a dust mite infestation can be a very difficult process, so many people decide to control the infestation and minimize detrimental effects instead. Since dust mites feed on dust, the main focus when controlling an infestation is limiting the dust and allergen content in the primary living areas of the home.
The area of the home with the highest dust mite concentration is the bed. In fact, a single bed can house millions of these microscopic creatures. This is because dust mites feed on dead human skin cells (dust), and humans spend about eight hours of each day in their bed, shedding about a quarter ounce of dead skin in it each week! Therefore, it is crucial to focus primarily on controlling dust mites within the bedroom. The following methods will not completely eradicate a dust mite infestation by themselves, however each method is very useful in the control and limitation of dust mite infestation.
Dust Mite Impervious Covers
Perhaps the easiest way to control a dust mite infestation is to use a mattress encasement that traps the dust mites inside the mattress. Before placing the encasement on the bed, vacuuming the entire surface of the bed and the pillows is recommended. Many experts suggest a polyurethane airtight bed cover for maximum protection.
There are also fitted sheets made specifically for dust mite control. In fact, using any kind of fitted sheet will aid in the control of dust mite density, as the sheets prevent dead skin cells from accumulating on the surface of the mattress. The best method of controlling dust mite infestation is the bedroom is to use a combination of impervious plastic covers, specially designed bed sheets, and specially designed pillow cases.
Reducing Humidity
Aside from temperature, dust mites are also sensitive to humidity levels, and will not thrive in conditions of under 50% humidity. In fact, the reason why dust mites thrive in mattresses is because the interior of a mattress is very hot and humid due to body heat and thick padding. The humidity of the mattress interior can be controlled using the aforementioned impervious covers, however to lower the humidity of the entire room effectively, a dehumidifier is required.
Dehumidifiers are made in a variety of models, ranging from small and inexpensive, to large and very expensive. Although the best dehumidifiers are more costly, it is a wise investment, as the more dependable ones are known for lasting many years. Since dust mites can travel through air vents and are usually found in every room of the house, a dehumidifier in every living area is recommended.
Killing Dust Mites
The above methods for dust mite control are very effective at killing dust mites, however when used alone they will not completely eradicate an infestation. In fact it is very difficult to rid the entire house of dust mites, and even when the all of the procedures outlined in this guide are executed, there will still be a small amount of dust mites left in the house, albeit an insignificant amount in comparison to a full blow infestation.
The following methods are the most effective ways to kill dust mites, other than a professional extermination service. It is important to note that even after a professional service has rid the home of dust mites, they can return very easily if the following procedures are not adhered to.
Washing Linens
If a dust mite impervious plastic covering is used, then bed linen washing can be done once every 2-4 weeks. However, if standard fitted sheets are used then the linens should be washed at least once a week, preferably twice. When washing linens it’s important to wash on long cycle (at least 15 minutes) in very high temperatures (over 130° Fahrenheit). The best way to accomplish this is to simply set the washing machine to it’s longest cycle, and hottest temp setting. For fabrics that cannot be washed in very hot water, simply place them in the freezer for about 1-2 days.
Air Purification
Perhaps even more important than the bed itself is the air surrounding the bed. Dust mites float through the air on dust particles, and are breathed in by unsuspecting victims who then suffer from a variety of allergic reactions. To minimize the effect of a dust mite infestation, and to aid in the complete eradication of the infestation, air purifiers are recommended.
Air purifiers are not to be confused with regular fans, as air circulation can actually be detrimental in congested environments. If the air is moving but has nowhere to escape, and is not being filtered, then the concentration of dust mites in the air will rise. An air purifier works by circulating the air, while simultaneously filtering it, trapping all dust mites within the filter.
Fans can be used in conjunction with air purifiers to push the air through the filters more rapidly, and thereby increase there effectiveness. Opening all the windows in the house and pointing high powered fans towards the outside is also a great way to expel dust mites from the home. The key to effective air circulation is ample intake and outtake.
Why Wait?
If the above suggestions are adhered to, virtually any dust mite infestation can be controlled and/or eradicated. When considering the harmful effects of dust mite allergens, executing all of the above procedures is certainly worth the time and money required. By preventing asthma attacks and enhancing the overall health of the occupants, the long term relief offered by these environmental household changes can literally be lifesaving.