What are Dust Mites?

Dust mites are microscopic bugs that survive on the dead skin of humans and animals. You cannot see the dust mites without the aid of a microscope because they are so small. They are found virtually everywhere:

• Homes
• Apartments
• Condos
• Offices
• Hotels
• Resorts
• Automobiles
• Airplanes
• Buses
• Trains

In the home, they live in furniture, curtains, carpeting, pillows, and bedding. In commercial environments, they live in the upholstery of chairs and sofas, as well as carpeting and other cloth materials. They prefer living in areas where people and animals sit and sleep, consuming dead skin which sheds from the body naturally.

Can Dust Mites Harm You?

Dust mites do not bite, sting, or physically hurt people or animals; nor do they transmit or carry disease. The only health concern for dust mites is for allergy sufferers and asthmatics. Some people are allergic to dust mite feces and dead dust mites. As a result, they can cause allergic reactions, such as:

• Itchy, watery eyes
• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Congestion
• Respiratory problems
• Asthma attacks

If you are allergic to dust mites, there are things you can do to reduce the occurrence of dust mites in the home or office. Keep in mind, there is no way to fully eliminate dust mites, only reduce their numbers.

How Many Dust Mites Are Found in a Typical Home?

Dust mites can number into the millions in the typical home. A 36 inch by 36 inch section of carpeting can contain up to 100,000 dust mites. In mattresses and bedding, there can be well over a million mites in a single bed. They also live in pillows and easily number several hundred thousand or more.

What Can I Do to Reduce Dust Mites in My Home?

The key to reducing dust mites is to focus on dust control and reducing dust in the home or business. There are several useful things you can do to cut down on the number of dust mites, including:

1. Using bed bug certified mattress encasements. The majority of dust mites live in mattresses. By enclosing the mattresses in your home, in every bed, you are essentially trapping the dust mites within the mattresses and preventing them from consuming dead skin.
2. Vacuuming on a regular basis. Frequent vacuuming of carpets, mattresses, and furniture helps remove dust mites. Remember to move furniture and vacuum underneath sofas and beds at least once a month.
3. Washing bedding weekly. Wash sheets, comforters, mattress pads and other bedding on a weekly basis to remove dead skin and dust mites. Do not forget to wash your pet’s bedding, too.
4. Cleaning and dusting several times a week. Wipe down surfaces, dust furniture, and mop floors. Use a damp cloth and mop instead of a dry cloth or because room,  dry cloths and brooms only spread the dust.

Out of all of these tips, the most important and most effective one to greatly reduce dust mites in the home is using enclosable Mattress Safe^® bed bug covers. For more information about protective encasements for your mattresses and pillows, contact Mattress Safe® today by phoning 770-205-5335.