How to Get Rid of Dust Mites

Some of the most effective ways to eliminate dust mites at home

Getting rid of dust mites can be a daunting task and is next to impossible because they are found virtually everywhere we go. People and animals shed skin cells (dander) constantly and this is the main food source for these little creatures. Here we look at some of the most common and safest methods of controlling dust mite populations to help manage allergy and asthma symptoms so you can lead a normal life.

Like people and our pets, these pests flourish in warm humid environments. Try to maintain humidity levels in your house below 50 percent at all times. Maintaining humidity in your home below 50% has a negative impact on dust mite populations. This is much more difficult to do during the summer than in winter but using a dehumidifier will help greatly.

How to remove dust mites from your bedroom

We spend a great deal of our time sleeping which makes our beds one of the prime environments for dust mites to live and breed. Bedding should be washed in hot water above 130 degrees Fahrenheit. If you have severe reactions then every week or two may be necessary for maximum benefit.

Allergy relief bedding (dust mite covers) is also available to help rid ourselves of mites. Cover mattresses and pillows in allergen blocking dust proof covers which zipper. This provides a barrier that dust mites can’t penetrate. This prevent them from colonizing these areas and eliminates one of their primary breeding grounds.

How to remove dust mites from your carpeting

Carpets and certain types of furniture are also common places where dust mites live comfortably. Use a HEPA vacuum cleaner to clean your carpets. HEPA filtered vacuum cleaners work better than standard vacuums because of the HEPA filters that are incorporated in their design. HEPA stands for "High Efficiency Particulate Arrestance". They are the most efficient air filters available. A great deal of dust passes right through standard vacuum cleaners and gets distributed back into the environment. It is a better idea to avoid having carpets in your home at all if your allergies are particularly bad. If carpeting is a must, try to have low pile carpets.

Many sources recommend steam cleaning carpets as another means of dust mite control. The benefits of steam cleaning are twofold, the high temperature steam kills the dust mites and the water helps to wash out any mites and any other contaminants that may be contributing to your allergy symptoms.

Remove dust mites from the air you breathe

Use efficient furnace filters in your heating and air conditioning equipment. This will remove more dust from your home and reduce the distribution of dust mite excrement and pieces of their dead and decaying bodies. These are the things that cause most of the allergic reactions that most people experience.

To help children who suffer from these allergies, wash their stuffed toys in hot water. Your child’s favourite stuffed toy is also a good environment for dust mites to flourish. These toys are usually held close to children’s faces which can intensify any reactions they may have.

Managing allergies can be a daunting challenge and requires constant control and monitoring of your environment. Is it possible to get rid of dust mites entirely? Probably not but implementing some or all of these strategies will go a long way toward controlling their numbers and allow you to coexist in relative comfort without negatively effecting your health.