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.
Dust mites occur naturally and can appear in nearly all homes. Humidity is the most important factor in determining whether a house has high levels of dust mites. This is because dust mites do not drink water like we do; they absorb moisture from the air.
Wash bedding weekly.
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 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.
Dust mites eat skin cells shed by people, and they thrive in warm, humid environments. In most homes, such items as bedding, upholstered furniture and carpeting provide an ideal environment for dust mites.
Predators. The predators of dust mites are other allergenic mites (Cheyletiella), silverfish and pseudoscorpions.
Three of the most common allergens — house dust mites, animal dander and cockroach droppings — are worse in winter when there is less ventilation. Some common symptoms of indoor, winter allergies are sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, coughing and postnasal drip, and itchy eyes, nose and throat.
Essential oils contain compounds that repel or kill insects, including dust mites. The best essential oils for getting rid of dust mites are clove, rosemary, and eucalyptus oil. Add 20 drops of oil to four ounces of witch hazel, and spray your mattress, couch, drapes, and other dust mite hangouts.
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.
Because dust mites are found wherever humans and their skin cells are, you can't really eliminate them completely. You can, however, take steps to reduce their numbers and impact in your house and on your health.
Fortunately, an air purifier is great for dust removal, including dust mite allergens, and can help you breathe easier. An air purifier also prevents sickness by killing harmful airborne germs. Being exposed to dust mites at home on an ongoing basis can have a dramatic impact on your health.
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.
Though too small to see with the naked eye (only about . 33 millimeters long), dust mites are easily visible through even a cheap microscope. You can pick up an inexpensive microscope from any store that sells toys, a hobby store, or a thrift store and use it to discover whether your home has dust mites.
The symptoms are typically worse at night and in the morning because dust mites tend to live in mattresses, pillows and bedding.
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.
Question: Can you feel dust mites crawling on your skin? Answer: You would not be able to feel dust mites on your skin since they are too small.
Three most important functions to human life are heartbeat, breath and sleep. An active allergy to house dust mites (HDM) can interfere with breath and sleep. Wheezing, sneezing or itching, caused by an allergic reaction, is a known risk to sleep.
Lavender was the second most effective, and lemon oil the least, but still effective. STUDY RESULTS: Lemon Oil – 61% of the dust mites were immobile after 30 minutes and 80% were dead after 2 hours. Lavender Oil – 86% were immobilized after 30 minutes and 87% were dead after 2 hours.
The chemical that makes house dust mites gather together in defense has been identified as neryl formate, a common scent used in foods and perfumes.
Direct sunlight kills dust mites, so hang bedding in the sun whenever possible. (Be mindful, though, that outdoor allergens can collect on bedding hung outside.)
Just like hot temperatures, freezing cold temperatures also kill dust mites. For more delicate fabrics or items that cannot be washed (such as silk or lace) freeze them. Place the items in a clear plastic bag and put them in the freezer for 24 hours. This will kill the dust mites completely.
An adult house dust mite can live for 1–3 months under favorable conditions. Normally, adult dust mites live for about a month and female dust mites live for about 8–10 weeks. It is estimated that the house dust mite can produce 20 fecal pellets/day that range from 20 to 50 μm.