At night when it's dark and a sleeping human body increases the temperature of the mattress, dust mites migrate to the surface to feed on dead skin cells. They leave their shells and excrement behind. Before sunrise, they return to the deeper layers of the mattress where they are completely protected.
Dust mites are most active during the summer months as they thrive in temperatures of 68 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit and prefer humidity levels of 70% to 80%. During the winter months, dust mites go into a dormant state and can only survive in very dry conditions.
Allergen levels are at their highest between May and October, the peak breeding season of house dust mites. Most of the mites die during the winter, but the allergen-containing dust is stirred up by heating systems. This often causes the symptoms experienced by affected patients year-round to worsen during the winter.
They prefer warm places (e.g., around pipes and furnaces) where rodents live. The spiny rat mite feeds on rats at night and hides by day in cracks and crevices around rat nests and resting places.
Wash all sheets, blankets, pillowcases and bedcovers in hot water that is at least 130 F (54.4 C) to kill dust mites and remove allergens. If bedding can't be washed hot, put the items in the dryer for at least 15 minutes at a temperature above 130 F (54.4 C) to kill the mites.
Dust mites are attracted to moisture and food. And since their diet consists of the freshly shed, dead skin cells of humans and pets, the humid location dust mites love best is the place where you park your body for one-third of your life: Your bed.
If you live in a humid area, air conditioning and dehumidifiers can help. In areas with low humidity, like deserts, dust mites can simply not survive. So, one way to limit the dust mite population is to keep the humidity level in your home below 50%.
Dust mites are repulsed by the smell of Clove, Eucalyptus, Lavendar, Peppermint, and Rosemary. Make your own aromatic spray by adding a few drops of one (or more) of those essential oils in a water-filled spray bottle.
They thrive in pillows, mattresses, box springs, blankets, rugs and carpets, "stuffed animals" and upholstered (cloth) furniture such as couches. They also live in dusty areas like furnace ducts. They are so tiny that they are hard to see without a microscope. Dust mites feed on organic matter such as flakes of skin.
You can purchase a testing kit in some hardware stores, pharmacies, or even online. Some of those kits require a professional to have a look, so you may need to send it back for examination, while others you can check yourself.
Mattress vacuuming can help control all those allergens, dead skin, dust mites and other yucky stuff in your bed.
But consider how common they are: Nearly 85% of homes in the United States have detectable levels of dust mites in at least one bed, according to study estimates. Ultimately, no matter how pristine your home is, you've likely got some dust mites lurking and living it up on your dead skin cells.
If you have a dust mite problem in your home, bedding—sheets, blankets, and bed covers—should be washed at least weekly in hot water (130 to 140 F) to kill the mites.
Dust mites are microscopic insects that live in our pillows, furniture and carpets. They're not the same thing as bed bugs. To reduce your exposure to dust mites, follow these tips. First step, in terms of reducing dust mite exposure is to buy dust mite proof encasements for your pillows, mattress and box spring.
These tiny creatures do not bite or live on humans. Instead, proteins in the exoskeletons and feces of dust mites can induce allergic reactions in people. Exposure to mites can lead to patches of small, red bumps on the skin accompanied by the following respiratory symptoms: nasal congestion and sneezing.
Sprays and aerosols containing syngergized pyrethrins should kill mites immediately on contact, though the treatment will only remain effective for up to a few hours. Insecticide sprays containing permethrin or bifenthrin are effective against many mites and should retain their killing properties for several weeks.
It's Hypoallergenic
If you have allergies, you may have experienced problems with dust mites while sleeping. Hypoallergenic materials are used to make eucalyptus sheets, which means they won't attract allergens. You'll be able to sleep soundly without being bothered by your allergies if you sleep on sheets like these.
The predators of dust mites are other allergenic mites (Cheyletiella), silverfish and pseudoscorpions.
Add double-layered microfilter bags or high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters to your vacuum to efficiently clean the dust off of your carpet and upholstered furniture. Steam cleaning can also kill dust mites at 200 degrees, so try using a steam cleaner on your carpet and upholstered furniture once per season.
Usually, during the warmer weather, windows are open and fresh air circulates through the house and dilutes the mite allergens. With cooler weather, windows are closed, and the heat comes on, re-circulating air in the house. This is when mite sufferers usually notice worsening of their symptoms.
Dust mites live and multiply easily in warm, humid places. They prefer temperatures at or above 70 degrees Fahrenheit with humidity of 75 to 80 percent. They die when the humidity falls below 50 percent. They are not usually found in dry climates.
Tea tree oil, peppermint oil, and vinegar are all insecticides so they will work to kill off any dust mites that are currently in the mattress. Plus, just about all bugs hate peppermint oil so they will avoid going near the mattress too. Once you have sprayed the mattress then you just need to let it air out and dry.
20% of the weight of an old pillow consists of dust mites. 20% to 50% of the weight of a mattress or pillow consists of dust mites and dust mite feces.
House dust mites are translucent to white in color and have been described as “globular” in shape [3]. Although young bed bugs (called nymphs) are translucent to yellow before they have fed, once they have a blood meal they are red.