Your house might be hiding a major asthma trigger. Dust mites are both a pervasive pest in homes and an allergen that can cause asthma flare-ups. You can reduce the risk of dust mites in your home so you can breathe easier.
Dust mites are microscopic insect-like pests that live in house dust. They aren't visible, but they might be everywhere in your house. Dust mites feed on dead skin cells, which humans and pets shed all the time. They tend to proliferate in furniture, mattresses, drapes, and carpets.
Mites don't bite or sting, and they don't cause damage to fabrics, but they are a health issue for some people. The protein from dust mite feces, urine, or decaying bodies is a potent allergen for sensitive people. Exposure to dust mite allergens can lead to itchy eyes or a runny nose. Dust mites can also trigger asthma attacks and cause chronic breathing problems for people with asthma.
Unfortunately, you can't call an exterminator to get rid of dust mites in your home. Reducing their presence takes forethought and frequent maintenance.
Lower Humidity Levels
Dust mites don't drink water. They absorb moisture from the air. In order to survive, they need an environment with plenty of humidity to provide them with enough moisture. Lowering the humidity in your house makes it harder for the mites to live. Using air-conditioning units or dehumidifiers can help keep the ambient humidity below 50%, which reduces the risk of dust mites.
Minimize Fabrics
Fabrics capture the dead skin cells and dander that feed dust mites. Upholstered furniture, fabric drapes, stuffed animals, pillows, and mattresses are common sites for dust mites. Wash drapes and bed linens regularly in hot water to eliminate dust mites. You can use allergen encasement covers for pillows and mattresses. Mites can't tolerate extreme cold, so freezing decorative pillows or stuffed animals overnight can help reduce mites.
Replace Carpets
If you have carpets, consider getting rid of them. Carpets harbor dust mites, and they're hard to keep clean. Hard floors will dramatically reduce the number of dust mites in your home. If you do have carpets, vacuum frequently with a vacuum cleaner with a high-efficiency filter. Clean hard floors often with a damp mop and pay attention to corners or out-of-the-way spots where dust can build up.
Dust Often
Remove dust from surfaces in your house regularly. Use cleaning cloths that can trap dust, rather than merely disturbing it. You want to keep dust from re-settling and moving the mites to a new location.
