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.
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.
Because dust mite particles often become airborne, using an air purifier with a high-efficiency particle air (HEPA) filter can also help remove these and other allergens from the air.
Males dust mites can live over a month, while female dust mites can live up to 90 days. The reason why dust mites are so prevalent in people's homes is that they feed off of dead skin cells. On an average day, one person may shed 1.5 grams of dead skin cells, which can feed up to one million dust mites at a time.
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.
ExAller® is a scientifically proven, effective solution that eliminates dust mites from mattresses, bedding, furniture, carpets and more. Experience relief from dust mite allergy symptoms after just one use.
Dry vacuuming doesn't pick up dust mites. Consider steam cleaning carpets when possible. In addition to cleaning the carpet, the heat of the steam kills dust mites. You can buy chemicals (ascaricides) that kill dust mites and that you can use on carpeting and furniture.
Parents of children with house dust mite allergies are therefore advised to put soft toys in the freezer on a regular basis. The cold temperature kills the mites and the allergens can then be rinsed out at a low temperature.
Look for the words allergy cover or allergy proof. Wash your linens in hot water at least once a week. Now it's important that the water is at least 130 degrees because that's the temperature that will kill the dust mites.
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The ExAller® dust mite allergy self test detects the presence of specific antibodies in the blood that are produced by the immune system in sensitive people after contact with dust mite faeces or body parts.
Dust mites can live in the bedding, mattresses, upholstered furniture, carpets or curtains in your home. Dust mites are nearly everywhere; roughly four out of five homes in the United States have dust mite allergens in at least one bed.
They live in the dust of a room (be it as clean as possible) and, especially, in beddings, pillows and mattresses, carpets and upholstered furniture.
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.
The predators of dust mites are other allergenic mites (Cheyletiella), silverfish and pseudoscorpions.
Dust mites are not a sign of a dirty house. However, regular vacuuming and dusting can remove the allergen particles they leave behind. Make it a point to vacuum in areas that accumulate dust, like under beds and sofas. Also, use a vacuum that has a HEPA filter to reduce allergens that get airborne when vacuuming.
Mop with vinegar.
Vinegar is highly acidic and will kill just about any mite that crosses its path.
You can quickly get rid of dust mites by washing all of your bedding on a hot cycle of at least 130 degrees. If you are unable to wash your sheets, blankets, pillowcases, or duvet covers in hot water, place them in the dryer for 15 minutes at 130 degrees.
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.
Definitely don't allow them on the bed! You can never vacuum too much. If you have significant allergies then vacuuming every day will be beneficial but not always practical. For the majority of people weekly vacuuming will keep dust under control.
Making sanitation (like regular vacuuming, dusting, washing clothing and fabrics and regular showering) a priority will keep mites away. Spraying a monthly treatment of Flex 10-10 can also help with continued mite prevention.
Because dust mites thrive in warm and moist environments, leaving your sheets thrown back helps starve them out. Move making the bed to the end of your morning routine. This gives your sheets time to air out, so there's less moisture for those mites to move in.
Dust mites come from almost everywhere. They are naturally-occurring creatures, and their microscopic size makes it easy for them to get into homes and other indoor areas. Some homes have more dust mites than others, however.
Wash Your Bedding in Hot Water
One study found that washing your bedding items at least 140 degree Fahrenheit can be enough to completely eliminate all dust mites in your bedding. This should be a regular part of your routine to keep your bedding clean. It's usually recommended that you wash your bedding weekly.