How do I get rid of dust mites? This must be a question on many people’s minds, especially those who struggle with allergies. First of all, if you’d like to know where dust mites come from, check out our answer here.
In the fight against allergens, you must know how to get rid of dust mites and other particles such as pollen. Today, we outline why you should get rid of dust mites and how to do it effectively.
Why Get Rid of Dust Mites?
Dust mites do not bite us but feed on our dead skin cells. It’s their droppings that cause lots of problems. And since they cannot be seen by the naked eye, they can be practically anywhere – furniture, clothes, bedding, or carpet.
They also love humid places and thrive in warm temperatures. So, to make your home friendly to the occupants and visitors, you must put in extra effort to remove these microscopic critters.
Dust mites cause allergic reactions and may also trigger asthma attacks. Some of the symptoms include:
- General discomfort
- Runny nose
- Nasal congestion
- Coughing and sneezing
- Wheezing
- Itching
How to Get Rid of Dust Mites – Step by Step Guide
Here are the steps to follow if you want to avoid dust mite allergies:
Identification
First, you have to identify them. However, since they are microscopic, they can’t be seen nor held. So, you have to be aware of their effects (what they cause) by identifying dust mite allergy symptoms. Such symptoms are such as coughing, itching, and congested nose.
Destroy where they live
The second step is identifying and destroying their habitats. One should know that dust mites thrive in places that are dark, humid, or warm. Ideally, they stay in areas where they can get food (dead skin cells). Often, the dust mites will survive in bedding, fiber cloth, upholstered furniture, and carpet.
Therefore, you should destroy their homes by cleaning them. It would be best to clean all bedding in hot water (about 130 degrees Fahrenheit). Also, you can use a dryer to clean bedding that cannot be washed.
Grooming is key
Personal grooming is also essential in getting rid of dust mites since they feed depend on dead skin cells and thrive even on human bodies. So, ensure that your hair is always clean to prevent your scalp from becoming a breeding ground. Also, store clothes where they can get direct sunlight occasionally.
Control the temperature & humidity
Controlling the temperatures in the house – usually, dust mites thrive in humid and hot areas. Hence, one can use air conditioners to reduce the temperature inside the house and dehumidifiers to reduce the humidity in the house.
Also, opening the windows in the house can help regulate moisture levels. Specifically, it is recommendable to keep the level of humidity below 50% to discourage the growth of dust mites.
Vacuuming
The other step that could help significantly get rid of dust mites is frequent vacuuming and dusting the whole house. Essentially, dust mite particles cling to dirty air particles around the house, thus causing the allergy. Vacuuming using the best vacuum for dust mites will go a long way.
Pet grooming
Take good care of pets and ensure that they are always clean because they are also habitats of dust mites. Pets are good since they help in protection, social activities and also have health benefits. However, most people who allow pets to sleep on their beds and couches are prone to dust mite allergies.
So, you must keep the pets clean and also frequently spray them to prevent any dust mite attack. By ensuring that the pets are regularly groomed, you can remove dust mites for good and prevent others from creeping back into your home.
Conclusion
It is impossible to get rid of all dust mites since they occur naturally. However, the methods discussed above will help you remove dust mites from their habitats and avoid dust mite allergies.
Therefore, it is essential to employ all the steps highlighted above. Ensure that you and your pets are well-groomed, vacuum regularly, dust the house and regulate your home’s temperature and humidity.
In the meantime, watch this YouTube video by Mayo Clinic for more ideas: