House Dust Mites
House dust mites are related to the spider family. They live on mattresses, bedding, upholstered furniture, carpets and curtains. These miniature pests feed on the flakes of skin that our pets and we shed daily. They thrive in warm and humid environments. No matter how clean a home is dust mites cannot be totally eliminated. Here are a few ways you can reduce the number of mites in your house:
1) Use a vacuum cleaner with either a double-layered micro-filter bag or a HEPA filter to trap allergens that pass through a vacuum’s exhaust. Wear a mask while vacuuming to avoid inhaling allergens, and stay out of the vacuumed area for 20 minutes to allow any dust and allergens to settle after vacuuming.
2) Wash bedding and blankets once a week in hot water to kill dust mites. Non-washable bedding can be frozen overnight to kill dust mites.
3) Use dust-proof or allergen impermeable covers for your mattress and pillows. Replace wool or feathered bedding with synthetic materials.
4) Replace wall-to-wall carpets in bedrooms with bare floors (linoleum, tile or wood) and remove fabric curtains and upholstered furniture.
5) Use a damp mop or rag to remove dust, never use a dry cloth since this just stirs up mite allergens.
6) Use a dehumidifier or air conditioner to maintain relative humidity at about 50% or below.
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