Mites love a warm, humid environment, and about two million of them live in the average bed. If you have ambient humidity over 50 percent, mites are going to thrive. If the humidity is under 40 percent, however, they will die -- so having a dry environment will help reduce their population. But even in the cleanest homes, it's safe to assume you have dust mites.It's the fecal pellet of the dust mite that can cause allergic reactions and possibly illness. Because dust mites are the primary allergen that the body responds to -- and since they live in mattresses, pillows, overstuffed furniture and anything that has a fiber product in it -- we are constantly in contact with them. Since they eat the products of human and animal skin as it's shed, they are in constant contact with us where we sit and sleep.
Dr. Bill Morgan, from the Arizona Asthma and Allergy Institute, offers the following information on reducing their numbers or ridding them from the home (figure A):
- Vacuum carpets frequently, using a canister vacuum with a HEPA filter, if possible. Sprinkle the carpet with mite-reducing products such as Bissell's Acarosan powder before vacuuming, and change the bags or empty the canister frequently to maintain cleaning efficiency (figure B).
- Air filters also screen out airborne dust mites. A HEPA filter can screen 99.97 percent of the air it takes in. When you purchase these filters, watch out for impostor products labeled "HEPA-like."
- Furnace and central-air filters also remove dust mites from the air. Clean or change monthly.
- Remove carpeting, plastic mattress covers, excess pillows, heavy drapes and anything else in the home that can collect dust. Avoid down-filled products, if possible.
- Rugs should be area rugs that can be washed in hot water at 130 degree Fahrenheit.
Tip: Stuffed animals are another home base for dust mites. Choose soft toys that can be laundered.
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