Dust Mite Prevention

5 Top tips you can do in the home to stop continual night time exposure.

Dust mite prevention is an important issue for those who suffer from unexplained runny nose, watery eyes, dry itchy skin or sufferers who have been tested and found they have a dust mites allergy.

House dust mites are made of 80% water and cannot live without it. They can’t drink water like we can, but absorb it from the atmosphere by using little glands on the surface of their body.

By keeping your room relative humidity below 50%, lots of fresh air and natural sunlight, you create a drier environment. The dustmite can’t get enough water, and will find it difficult to survive in the drier conditions.

Researchers at Insect Research and Development, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom, found that by leaving the doona and blankets off the bed during the day provided drier conditions in the bed, allowing moisture to escape from the mattress and sheets. Kids love it when we tell them they don’t have to make up their bed!

Here is a great one for all you sleepy heads: staying in bed longer raises the temperature of the mattress enough to make the mites uncomfortable, despite the extra moisture produced by sleeping bodies. Researchers found that simply raising the bedroom temperature from 16ºC to 18ºC, the dustmite numbers cut by a factor of ten.

Consider, the extra water in the air from a quick shower, or during cooking. it can raise the humidity in a house enough to sustain the dust mites’ survival by providing more moisture for them to drink. Simply open all windows or use an extractor fan for at least 20 minutes afterwards.

Yet, on relatively high humid and high pollen count days, close all windows. Pollen is not only another allergen trigger, it is also another food source for dust mites. Also close windows in early morning and at dusk when the pollen count is at it’s highest.

Watch for mould and mildew spores, an indication of no ventilation, not enough natural light and even a moisture problem. Repair leaks and seepages from pipes and gutters and check out mould removal options.

A dehumidifier hire in the bedroom reduces humidity, keeps the room drier and dust mites die of dehydration.

Dust with no dust!

Dust furniture and hard surfaces before you vacuum with a damp cloth or microfibre cloth. Prevents allergens from floating into the air by 93% compared to dry dusting. If some dust has had time to settle on the floor, it can be picked up by the vacuum. Add a drop of tea tree oil to the cloth to eliminate dust mites.

Dust mites do not thrive on hard, uncovered surfaces such as wooden or tiled floors and wooden, vinyl or leather furniture. Use alterantives instead of dust mite spray.

Keep pets out of bedrooms!

Pets with fur or feathers contribute to the dander in the dust and increase the food source variety for dust mites. Keep pets out of bedrooms, preferably outside, away from bedding, furniture and carpets. Groom pets outside and wash their bedding regularly.

Dust mite covers provide welcome relief from dust mites and their allergens as part of your family’s dust mite bedding system, asthma home remedy and prevention.

Dust mites and their by-products are a major allergic factor. Dust mite control is essential in the management of asthma according to Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Minimising dust mite allergen exposure is recommended by major Australian (Asthma NSW) and International asthma and allergy opinion leaders, providing significant relief. Everyone will love not having to make their bed up to reduce your dust mites mattress infestations by making a dry environment, airing and allowing moisture to evaporate.

Remove soft toys from bedrooms as they too harbour dust mites. Place them in the freezer for at least 48 hours as part of your dust mite prevention programme.

Click here to see our range of dust mite covers.