Understanding Dust Mites: Essential Steps To Combat Their Impact

Do you often wake up at night because of constant sneezing and coughing or feel the sensation of a stuffy nose, all of these things that ruin your good night's sleep, and you wake up tired every morning? The reason for these things could be something that is hidden right under your nose, deep inside your mattress, or soft furnishings. Dust mites, these tiny pests, are almost invisible to the naked eye and like to live in warm and humid places. The autumn season, which is also known as “fall,” is one of the worst times of the year, as they grow pretty rapidly. Lots of people are not aware, but the indoor air is way more polluted than the outdoor air.

In fact, there are studies that have proven that the level of indoor air pollution is five times more polluted than outdoor air. Your indoor air environment contains contaminants like dust, dirt, pollen, pet dander, mold spores, chemical fumes, and dust mites. When a person breathes polluted air, it can cause serious health issues, especially for people who are already suffering from respiratory health problems like allergies and asthma. Dust mites can create breathing problems, itching in the eyes, and a runny nose. While other particles are also dangerous, as they can cause life-threatening diseases like blood cancer, breast cancer, and lung cancer. So, it is important that you use air filters to have clean indoor air quality.

In this blog, you will get to learn about dust mites, the health problems that are connected to dust mites, common locations where dust mites hide or make their home, warning signs that there are dust mites inside your home, a detailed step-by-step process that is important for getting rid of dust mites from your home, and lastly, practical and valuable tips for controlling dust mites. You will also find information on house dust mites, dust mite allergies, asthma, indoor allergens, how to get rid of dust mites, what kills dust mites instantly, how to remove dust mites, dust mite allergy treatment, and even dust mite bites. All the information that you get from this blog will help you to not only learn about the dust mites but also inform you on how you can get rid of them.

What Are Dust Mites?

Dust mites are extremely small, insect-like creatures that are commonly found in homes all around the world. These pests are so small that it becomes impossible to see them with the naked eye. A person requires a microscope to see them. These microscopic organisms are mostly found in household dust, and because of this, they have gotten their name from house dust mites. Since they are not parasites, they do not bite or sting, but they can still be quite harmful to your health.

They live by eating dead skin flakes of humans or pet dander, naturally shed every day. Dust mites prefer to live in warm, moist places, especially in areas with poor airflow and high humidity. Soft surfaces such as carpets and mattresses are considered to be the perfect place for these dust mites. In these places, food and warmth are always available. If your home is in a location near the coastal areas, then you will face more problems with house dust mites. The houses located near the coastal areas tend to have more moisture in the air.

Health Problems Linked To Dust Mites

There are a large number of people who have no idea how much these dust mites can affect their health. Dust mites can commonly trigger allergic reactions and cause trouble breathing. If you want to learn how these tiny pests can affect your body, then keep reading to learn about the health problems that they can cause your body.

• Dust Mite Allergy: This is the very first problem caused by dust mites. This can cause common reactions like constant sneezing, itchiness in the skin, and non-stop watering in the eyes after the dust exposure.
• Asthma Attacks: People who suffer from asthma are extremely sensitive to dust mites and can have more asthma attacks when breathing in indoor allergens for a long period of time.
• Breathing Problems: A person will feel the sensation of tightness in the chest area, along with constant coughing and wheezing. It happens because dust mites affect your respiratory health.
• Allergic Inflammation: Dust mites also cause other symptoms such as sinus pressure, stuffy nose, and postnasal drip. It increases at night and in the early morning.
• Itchy Eyes: One of the most common health problems that is caused by dust mites is itchy eyes. These micro pests can make your eyes red, watery, and itchy, especially when your home has indoor air pollution.
• Trouble Sleeping: Constant coughing, sneezing, or a blocked nose caused by dust mites can make it incredibly difficult to sleep or to stay asleep. Not having proper sleep will make you feel tired throughout the day.
• Skin Infections: There are some people who might develop skin problems, or if they have eczema, then dust mites can worsen it. Itchiness in the skin is quite common when a person is exposed to dust mites.

Common Hiding Places For Dust Mites At Home

There are lots of places in your home where these tiny pests can make their home. Dust mites love to stay in places that are warm and damp. So, they often hide in bedding such as bedsheets, pillows, blankets, and mattresses. Humans’ and pets’ dead skin cells become their main source of food. Dust mites can also hide in places like sofas and chairs. Homes with pets and children attract these pests even more. In rugs, thick carpets, and curtains are other common places for these dust mites to hide.

Even though these things help in trapping dust, they also become a cozy place for dust mites to grow. Areas that are not often cleaned, like the place under the bed and behind the furniture, become hiding spots for these indoor pests. Places that are warm and have high humidity are ideal for these dust mites to grow. So, if your home has poor airflow or if the indoor temperature stays between 21 and 25 degrees Celsius, then it is more likely to have more dust mites.

Warning Signs Of Dust Mites In Your Home

It is not possible for anyone to see dust mites without any kind of special equipment, like a microscope. Because they are too small, it becomes incredibly difficult to know if your home has dust mites. If any member of your family has a dust mite allergy, then you can see the signs on your body, but not in your home. To know if your home has dust mites, you need to continue reading.

• Increased Dust Build-Up: When you start to notice that there is more dust getting collected on the surfaces, especially in the rooms that are usually warm and have more humidity, then it's a sign your home has dust mites.
• Stuffy Or Musty Smell: If there is a musty smell coming from the room with carpets, curtains, or bedding that it is a strong indication of the presence of dust mites.
• Visible Dust In Sunlight: When you are able to see floating dust particles when the light of the sun enters your room, then it means that the air holds dust mites and allergens.
• Humid Indoor Air: If your home feels damp or humid, then your home becomes a perfect place for the dust mites to live and grow.
• Poor Air Quality: When your indoor air starts to feel stale, it means you have dust mites in your home. Using an air purifier with a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter can be a great option.

Essential Step-By-Step Methods To Get Rid Of Dust Mites

It is extremely important that you remove dust mites from your home because the presence of dust mites can invite multiple diseases that can make you sick. Below, you will get to see the simple steps that can help you deal with this problem.

Step 1: Wash Bedding In Hot Water Weekly

The first step that you can take is to make a schedule of washing all the bedding with hot water every once in a week. This will help you reduce dust mite allergies. The temperature of the water should be at least 130°F (54.44°C). This temperature is perfect for removing allergens from the sheets and blankets.

Step 2: Use Allergen-Proof Covers

It is important that you cover your mattresses and pillows with allergen-proof covers. This will help in preventing dust mites from making their home inside your bedding materials. It will also help you reduce the risk of asthma attacks and other respiratory problems.

Step 3: Vacuum With HEPA Filters

It is important that you vacuum your home by using a vacuum cleaner that has HEPA filters. You need to make a regular schedule of vacuuming your home two times a week. Make sure you do not make the mistake of blowing the dust mites back into the air.

Step 4: Control Humidity Levels

The next step that you need to take is to control the humidity levels. Always make sure that you are keeping the air inside your home dry. Use an air conditioner or HVAC system to maintain the humidity levels less than 50 percent. This will make the environment inhabitable for the dust mites.

Step 5: Clean Carpets And Curtains

It can be quite hard to remove carpets and switch to hard flooring. But to keep your home free of dust mites, you have to make sure that you clean curtains or rugs by using hot water. These types of items often contain large amounts of indoor allergens.

Step 6: Use An Air Purifier

One of the most important steps that you can take is to use an air purifier in your home, especially with a HEPA filter. This will guarantee that your indoor air is clean and free of dust mites, pollen, and any other kind of harmful particles.

Step 7: Dust With Damp Cloths

The last step is to use a damp cloth instead of a dry one for cleaning. This helps in keeping the dust from flying into the air, which will eventually lead to better cleaning and removal of dust mites, along with other harmful particles.

Practical Tips For Ongoing Dust Mite Control

It is important to keep the dust mites under control, especially when there are people in your home who suffer from health problems like allergies and asthma. To control your ongoing dust mite problem, you should know about the practical tips that will help you manage and reduce dust mites.

• Weekly Cleaning: You should make a schedule of cleaning the bedding, vacuuming the floors, and wiping the surfaces every once in week to reduce the allergens and remove the dust mites.
• Use Dehumidifiers: Dust mites need warm and humid places. By using a dehumidifier, you can keep the humidity levels below 50 percent, which will make it harder for the dust mites to survive.
• Choose Flooring: Replacing your carpets with other kinds of smooth surfaces, such as wood or vinyl, can be a great option, as it will make it easier for you to clean and have better allergen control.
• Wash Fabrics: Always remember to select curtains, sofa covers, cushion covers, and rugs with fabrics that are easily washable so that you will be able to clean them more often.
• Air Purifiers: Air purifiers have become a necessary piece of technology that every home should have for cleaning the air, removing the tiny particles, and improving air quality.
• Limit Clutter: Try to have fewer items because when there are fewer items, there will be fewer places for dust to settle. This will also make the cleaning duty much easier.

Final Thoughts

It is important to keep your indoor air clean by removing the dust mites. A healthy home will make a healthy family. Here, you have learned about what dust mites are and the different types of health problems that are connected to dust mites, like allergies, asthma, respiratory issues, disturbed sleep, and skin infections. You also discovered the common places where dust mites hide, and since they are so small, you should be aware of the warning signs that your home has dust mites. To get rid of the dust mites, you can follow the simple step-by-step methods and the practical tips for dealing with dust mite problems. All the valuable information that you get from here will help you make your home free of dust mites.

To get rid of the dust mites and other kinds of pollutants like dirt, debris, pollen, and pet dander, you will be required to have a trustworthy air filter. We at Custom Filters Direct can help you with that, as we offer our customers high-quality air filters that will guarantee to improve your indoor air quality. We have a wide range of air filters that are specially designed to provide a much cleaner and healthier indoor environment. We also provide you with easy-to-order options that can be shipped quickly. Since we have a large variety of options, it will be quite normal for you to get overwhelmed. So, if you want any help with picking or need expert advice, then feel free to reach out to us by calling us at 877-958-5612 or sending us an email at info@customfiltersdirect.com. Trust us to breathe easier with the air filters of Custom Filters Direct.

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