Dust mites feed on flakes of shed human and pet skin and they most likely to be
found in bedrooms and kitchens. An average adult sheds up to 1.5 grams of skin
each day, which is enough to feed a million of dust mites. A typical used
mattress may have anywhere from 100,000 to 10 million mites inside.
The house dust mite favorite “playgrounds” are:
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•Carpets
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•Mattresses
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•Bedding (especially in feather pillows)
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•Upholstered furniture
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•Clothing
House dust mites are to small to be visible to the naked eye (250-300 microns in length and have translucent
bodies).The presence of house dust mites can be confirmed microscopically which
requires collecting samples from mattresses, couches or carpets. It takes at
least a 10X magnification to be able to correctly identify them. The adult
mite's cuticle (covering) has simple striations that can be seen from both the
dorsal (top) view and from the ventral (bottom) view.
Dust mites prefer places with the 70 degrees Fahrenheit
or above and the humidity approximately 75% to 80%. Also poor ventilation and
indoor air pollution such as car fumes or tobacco smoke make the symptoms of
dust mite allergy worse.
However there are some companies offering a service,
using steam or ultraviolet light, to kill dust mites in mattresses and remove
them. But there is no scientific evidence that the dust mite won't appear again.
How to prevent dust allergy?
Freezing and sunlight kills mites but does not remove their residue. In addition
to freezing temperatures and washing items in temperatures greater than 130
degrees F, extended exposure to sunlight, and low levels of humidity also
destroy the mites.
Use following tips to minimize dust level in other places:
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Vacuum all carpets and upholstered furniture at least once a week
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Wash small rugs and curtains in hot water
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Clean floors and furniture with damp mop or cloth often
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Use an air conditioning to lower humidity
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Keep the humidity in your home below 55%
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Wash soft toys and stuffed animals in hot water often
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Replace wall-to-wall carpeting with wood or vinyl flooring
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Clean or replace the air filters on youClean or replace the air filters on your furnace or air conditioner at least
once a month. Filters that are rated to trap allergens are obviously more
effective than plain spun glass.
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