What are Dust Mites

What Are House Dust Mites?

Posted on April 20, 2012 by A1 Sparkles

Dust mites are in your home and cause allergic reactions. They belong to the family of eight-legged creatures called arachnids. This family also includes spiders, chiggers and ticks. Dust mites are hardy creatures that multiply easily in warm, humid places. They prefer temperatures at or above 70°F with a relative humidity of 55-80 percent and die when the humidity falls below 45 percent. Dust mites are rarely found in dry climates.

As many as 10 percent of the general population and 90 percent of people with allergies and asthma are sensitive to dust mites. Recent studies in the United States suggest that at least 45 percent of young people with asthma are allergic to dust mites.

People who are allergic to dust mites react to proteins in their decomposition and feces. These particles are found in the highest concentrations in pillows, mattresses, carpets, rugs, and upholstery. They are so very light they can float in the air for hours. When disturbed by: air flow, vacuums, foot traffic, ruffled bedding, pets, they settle out into the air again.

Dust mite-allergic people who inhale these particles experience more frequent allergic symptoms. In fact, a dust mite allergic patient who sleeps for 8 hours every night spends one third of his or her life with their nose in direct contact with a pillow loaded with dust mite particles!

There may be many as 19,000 dust mites in one gram of dust, but usually between 100 to 500 mites live in each gram. (A gram is about the weight of a paper clip.) Each mite produces about 10-20 waste particles per day and lives for 30 days. Egg-laying females can add 25-30 new mites to the population during their lifetime. Dusty mite critters eat particles of skin and dander, so they thrive in places where there are people. Dust mites don’t bite, cannot spread diseases and usually do not live on people. They are harmful only to people who become allergic to them. While usual household cleaning and insecticides have no effect on dust mites, there are ways to reduce exposure to dust mites in the home. Make it Sparkle.

Philly, NJ, DE Area Professional Cleaning Service.

Dust Mites - An Unwanted House Guest

Living With Dust Mites

If you have allergies or asthma, a tiny creature living in your home could be making big problems for you. Although you can't see them, dust mites do live in your home!

Dust mites are microscopic and are found in most high humidity environments.  In homes with dust mites, a recent survey determined that dust mite populations are highest in the following areas:

Beds – Over 60% of the dust mite population loves your bed as much as you do. Dust mites are living in your mattress, pillow and covers.

Upholstery – Over 30% of the dust mite populous enjoy lounging of your sofas, chairs, and other fabric furniture.

Carpets – 10% of dust mites set up shop in your carpet. Most commonly in your bedroom carpet.

Air Ducts – 0%. This is because there is no food source in your air ducts, although many other nasty allergens and thrive in air ducts.

This makes sense sense because dust mites feed on shed skin scales from humans, animals, birds, moths, and butterflies; also on pollen, fungi and bacteria - which explains their high concentration in mattresses, upholstery and carpet where abundant skin scales provide a plentiful food source.

Dust mites no ability to bite and their food must be moistened so the protein can be absorbed.

Dust mites need moist conditions to survive. Dust mites thrive in humidity levels above 55%.

Dust Mites live 2 to 2 1/2 months, but cannot survive more than 7 to 10 days in areas with humidity less than 50%.

The most effective way to evict dust mites is to:

Reduce indoor humidity levels

Vacuum regularly with a HEPA filter

Wash bedding weekly in hot water

Purchase a new pillow every 6 months

Encase your bedding

Clean you mattress, upholstery and carpets twice a year.

Control Dust Mite and Pet Allergies

• Bedding: Select non-allergic, washable bedding materials. Rather than pillows stuffed with feathers. Get special casings (plastic or rubberized fabric) that zip around mattresses, box springs and pillows. These limit your exposure to dust mite particles. Use washable blankets and spreads, and wash all bedding (including pillows) every week in hot water.
• Humidity: If possible, install a room dehumidifier in the bedroom. Keep humidity below 50%. Lowering humidity reduces the number of mites. Avoid using vaporizers or humidifiers.
• Cleaning: Clean and dust your home thoroughly a regular basis (particularly the bedrooms). Vacuum frequently using HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Arresting) air filtered vacuum. Clean your carpet, rugs, and upholstery every year. Clean your air ducts every 3-5 years.
• Clothes: Wash in hot water, hang them in your closet and keep the closet door closed, or put them into dresser drawers.
• HVAC: Change or clean air-conditioner and furnace filters monthly. We recommend using a HEPA cleaner on your heating system or a portable HEPA filter unit in your bedroom.  
• Clutter: Get rid of stuffed animals, and other dust collectors, or use washable ones.
• Pets: Never allow pets in the bedroom.  Bath them twice a month with a Dander shampoo. You can use Dander wipes in-between baths.
• Concentrate efforts in the bedroom of the dust-sensitive person.