Dust mites are among the creepiest 8-legged creatures that lurk in our homes. It’s not their shape that causes problems, though; it’s their feces and decaying bodies.
As the name implies, dust mites are a type of bug that thrives in the dust. That’s to say that they are present in almost all homes. Among other symptoms that will signify an infestation of dust mites in your home include coughing, sneezing, nasal congestion, and itchy, red, and watery eyes.
It’s almost impossible to eliminate dust mites. However, several proven methods can help reduce them significantly. Here are the 5 most effective ways to try out today.
1. Use Anti-Dust Mite Beddings
If you suffer from dust mite allergies, then knowing how to get rid of dust mites from your mattress is probably going to be your first concern. Beds are the best breeding and thriving sites for dust mites. This is because they tend to offer everything that these unwelcome guests want from moisture and warmth to plenty of food.
While there are several other methods of removing dust mites from your bedroom, using anti-dust mite beddings should be your first consideration.
These are tightly woven covers that are meant to enclose the mattress completely. It’s also advisable to get a cover for your pillows.
These covers work by making it impossible for dust mites to penetrate your mattress and pillows. It also prevents the bugs already in the mattress and pillows from leaking out.
Tip: if you are planning to replace your beddings, consider hypoallergenic mattresses and pillows. Again, use silk and wool sheets to your advantage as these 2 are highly resistant to dust mites.
2. Use Diatomaceous Earth (DE) - the magical powder!
Diatomaceous Earth is a naturally occurring sedimentary rock that is formed when diatoms (tiny aquatic organisms) die and build up. These rocks can be found all around the globe, albeit in different varieties. However, they all contain high levels of silica as a significant component.
This rock is then picked and crumbled into a fine off white talc-like powder that is put into a dozen uses, including dietary supplements and killing bugs.
When this powder is sprinkled on bug-infested surfaces and floors, it wicks away moisture from the pests, thereby dehydrating and killing them.
The best way to use this powder is to sprinkle it on the floors, carpets, beddings, and under furniture. Give it around 30 minutes to work on the bugs, then vacuum it.
3. Control the humidity in your house
Making your home uncomfortable for dust mites is another effective way of controlling their population. Dust mites thrive in areas with high humidity levels of between 50% and 60%. Maintaining an environment that is way below these humidity levels makes it so uncomfortable for these bugs.
This is where the Skymet AQI air quality application comes in handy. This App gives you real-time readings of the air quality in your location, thereby making it easy for you to plan ahead.
So, use the App to determine your house’s humidity level, then use a dehumidifier to lower it to between 40% and 50%.
Other methods of keeping the humidity in your house at low levels include growing houseplants that absorb humidity. Running exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom and keeping your AC filters clean will help a lot too.
4. Get an Air Purifier
Do not underestimate the power of an air purifier in the fight against dust mites. If it can remove dust, then it can certainly reduce your exposure to dust mites.
A high-quality air purifier will cost you a pretty dollar. However, most of these models employ a reliable set of filters that help in removing contaminants in the air. We highly recommend that you consider a model with a HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filter as these can capture over 99% of contaminants that measure 0.3 microns.
Getting an air purifier is just half the equation, though. You also need to ensure that you clean or replace the filters regularly for optimum performance at all times.
5. Do thorough vacuuming regularly
Vacuuming helps in removing dust that has settled on surfaces. Since mites live in dust, it makes sense that the more you vacuum, the more dust mites are eliminated from your house. You’ll want to vacuum not only your floors and carpets but your upholstery and mattresses as well.
Importantly, ensure that you are using a vacuum cleaner with either a double-layered micro-filter or much better, a HEPA filter. Vacuums work by sucking in the air via the cleaning tool and emitting it back into the house. If it’s not fitted with a reliable filter, then you’ll only be recirculating the air contaminants in your room.
As you prepare to vacuum, wide down the surfaces with a damp cloth to prevent dust from becoming airborne. Another trick is to switch the HVAC to ‘Fan Mode’ only. This helps in filtering out some of the dust particles that get airborne.