Dust mites are tiny, translucent arachnids, almost invisible to the human eye. Their diet consists of dead skin cells and they thrive in humid environments – unfortunately, this makes your bed the perfect environment for them. Unlike bed bugs, a slightly larger insect, dust mites don’t bite, but they do poop, and that’s what causes trouble. So here are a few problems caused by these uninvited guests and how to get rid of them.
Dust mites are tiny, translucent arachnids, almost invisible to the human eye. Their diet consists of dead skin cells and they thrive in humid environments – unfortunately, this makes your bed the perfect environment for them. Unlike bed bugs, a slightly larger insect, dust mites don’t bite, but they do poop, and that’s what causes trouble. So here are a few problems caused by these uninvited guests and how to get rid of them.
Allergies
What’s often referred to as a dust allergy is in fact a sensitivity to an enzyme produced and, well, excreted by dust mites. The same enzyme is believed to be responsible for the majority of allergic asthma cases as well.
Inhaling dust mite faeces won’t send you into anaphylactic shock, but too much of it around the house will likely cause some sneezing, eye and nose irritation and coughing and wheezing.
Though even the cleanest houses will still have dust mites, for the sake of hygiene, you may want to cull the herd.
Getting Rid of Dust Mites
Aside from your bed, dust mites may live in other plush furniture and in carpets, but for now, we’ll focus on ridding your bed of mites. The most basic starting point is changing your bedding regularly. Dust mites won’t survive high temperatures, so a hot wash or tumble dry will get rid of them.
However, if your pillows and mattress are already infested, clean bedding won’t always help. Because you can’t machine wash your pillows, and certainly not your mattress, these will need an alternative cure. Cold, as well as heat, will kill mites, so seal your pillows in plastic and put them in the freezer for 48 hours.
For your mattress, sprinkle bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) across the mattress surface – you can only do this with fabric covered mattresses – let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes, then vacuum it off. Use the hose on your vacuum for better suction and you should suck up the majority of the dust mites along with the bicarb. If your vacuum has a HEPA filter, you’re golden, as this is the best way to trap and contain dust mites.
Professional cleaning to get rid of dust mites should be a last resort, as you’ll likely end up introducing chemical irritants into your home, which could worsen allergies.
Prevention is Better than Cure
If you feel you’re fighting a losing battle, there are plenty of ways to make your home – and bed – less hospitable to mites. You may have gotten them out of the bed, but they will find their way back. Use washable covers on all your bedding and try to keep pets out of the bedroom, as their warm fur is also a perfect home for dust mites. Opt for tile, laminate or wood floors, or be extra vigilant when it comes to carpet cleaning.
Because they thrive in humid conditions, a dehumidifier, and a temperature below 21 degrees Celsius, will make it difficult for them to thrive, though this will run up electricity costs, and the dry air may be uncomfortable for you. Changing your mattress is also an option – latex pillows and mattresses are naturally dust mite and allergen resistant, so are a great option for allergy sufferers.