How to Reduce Dust Mites

How to Reduce Dust Mites

Most people work hard to make sure their homes are pest-free. Who wants spiders hanging from their ceiling or bugs crawling in their food? Maybe Count Dracula, but not Florida homeowners. So when we hear that no matter what we do, there will be dust mites everywhere, it’s a disturbing idea. It’s true, too. No matter where you are, these insects are near you, no matter what you do. Chances are, there might be a couple crawling on you right now.

Can you get rid of dust mites? Is there a spray you can use to kill them? Are dust mites dangerous? You might have a lot of questions about your permanent neighbors. Luckily, Total Pest Solutions has the answers.

What is a Dust Mite?

Mites at large are creatures called arachnids. These arthropods all have eight legs and are related to spiders and scorpions. That goes for dust mites, too. Dust mites are especially tiny mites that live in soft places – Carpets, curtains, furniture, stuffed animals, etc… They eat things like dead skin and pet dander, though others scavenge on dead insects.

These insects are tiny creatures – About a quarter of a millimeter at the largest. That’s about the size of a needlepoint. They’re completely invisible to the naked eye. However, they look like little white bags with legs and a few hairs sticking out under a microscope. Though they have tick-like mouthparts, they don’t bite people, and they don’t live in our hair.

Are Dust Mites Dangerous?

Dust mites are way too small to do anything to most people. They can’t bite, carry no diseases, and are quite fragile. All they do is clean up after us and have babies. Okay – That isn’t entirely true. They also poop. Some people have allergies to these pests and their droppings, which can lead to real problems. For example, some people only experience sneezing. Others can develop postnasal drip, fevers, and sinus infections.

How to Eliminate Dust Mites

No matter how much cleaning and vacuuming you do, these little guys are floating around everywhere. A stray mite could hitch a ride on some dust from outside and lay eggs in your carpet. It’s nutty. However, you can reduce their numbers and limit your interactions with them. Here are our three best recommendations.

1) Reduce the Humidity

Dust mites need a humid environment in order to survive. They need water like anything else, and the humidity in your home gives it to them. In addition, their populations explode in rainy months, so investing in a dehumidifier can work wonders.

2) Use Furniture Covers

Mattress covers are always a good idea. This prevents them from accessing places to hide and reproduce and keeps in any existing mites. Pillow covers (different from pillowcases!) do the same thing. Just make sure your covers are mite-proof!

3) Step Up Your Cleaning

Even if cleaning won’t completely eradicate them, it goes a long way. Dust your shelves starting from the top and go down. Steam clean your carpets and drapes weekly and wash your linens just as often. Letting the sunlight in can also work wonders. Dust mites do not like sunshine and will avoid sunny spaces.

You can do much more to make your home less hospitable for dust mites, but reducing humidity might be best. By reading our website, you’ll find that most pests love humid environments. However, if you have an excess of pests, don’t hesitate to contact us. There’s something we can do to help.