Mites are not only among the most widespread, but also among the most diverse creatures on earth. And because of their small size, they go largely unnoticed. Most mite species are harmless to humans, but some are not. They can cause allergies, skin rashes and even make you sick. That is why it is so important to get rid of the mites in bed.
How to get rid of bed mites
In today’s post, we take a look at dust mites and give you some tips on how to keep them off your bed and linens. So read on to learn how to safely get rid of mites in bed.
Why are mites a problem in bed?
Mites in bed – brief overview
Dust mites are generally found in beds, pillows, upholstered furniture, carpets or other textiles in the home where people sleep or sit for a long time. Bed mites need a moist environment, so beds are a favorite habitat for them.
Order and cleanliness are the most important keywords when it comes to mites in bed
Adult mites live one to three months and feed on a variety of foods including dog food, grains, yeast and their favorite food, our dead skin. They also like our pets’ skin. Dust mites don’t bite. If you wake up with bites on your skin, you are most likely dealing with bed bugs or fleas.
- Keep the bedroom as dust-free as possible.
- Cover the bedding – mattress, pillow, box springs, duvet and duvet – with mite-proof duvet covers.
- Wash your sheets in hot water weekly.
- Use a denaturing product – ADMS or ADS Spray, X-mite Carpet Treatment on the furniture, curtains and carpets.
- Use dehumidifiers to remove excess moisture.
Wash home textiles and bedding at high temperatures
Dust mites breed easily in bedding and mattresses. They can trigger allergies with unpleasant symptoms all year round. Even if you’re not actually allergic to dust mites, it’s a good idea to take these measures regularly to get rid of them for hygiene reasons.
Dust mites cannot be seen with the naked eye
Are bed mites and house stick mites one and the same?
A dust mite is a tiny eight-legged creature that is virtually invisible to the naked eye. Dust mites feed on human dander and are therefore widespread wherever people live. Dust mites live in even the cleanest of homes, making them difficult to remove.
The mattress is a favorite habitat for dust mites
Dust mites are particularly common in bed linen, as there are typically many dead skin cells there. Dust mites also thrive in places with high humidity. Mattresses and bedding meet these requirements because skin and sweat are an ideal source of nourishment and moisture for them.
Mite-proof duvet covers are a good idea
Why are mites a problem in bed?
Dust mites are a problem because they excrete enzymes in their feces, and people can be allergic to these enzymes. This can cause symptoms such as sneezing, wheezing, coughing or watery eyes.
Dust mites are not a problem for people who are not allergic to them because they do not bite or penetrate the skin. However, if you are concerned about hygiene, you should take regular measures to remove dust mites.
Dust mites can cause an allergy
No matter how you plan to remove dust mites from your mattress, you must also remove dust mites from your sheets and pillowcases at the same time. This can be done by washing at high temperatures. The pillows themselves should be wrapped in a sealed plastic bag and placed in the freezer for at least 48 hours to kill the dust mites.
A dust-free home is the best solution
Here are different methods to remove dust mites from your mattress
Lower the humidity in your bedroom as dust mites need relatively high humidity levels to survive (about 80% humidity). If you run a dehumidifier and lower the humidity to around 35%, you create unfavorable conditions for dust mites to survive. However, this method has some disadvantages. Very low humidity like 35% can be quite uncomfortable for some people. In addition, this method does not remove dust mite faeces from your mattress and this is the reason for the development of allergies. In short, this method is only useful when combined with other methods.
Just like your mattress, you can also vacuum your sofa
baking soda and vacuuming. This can work on a mattress with a fabric top, such as an innerspring mattress. Do not attempt this directly on a latex or memory foam core. Mix a cup of baking soda with a few drops of your choice of essential oil. Then just sprinkle baking soda on the mattress and let it sit for 15 minutes. Then vacuum everything with the hose attachment to completely suck up the baking soda. This will suck up the dust mites along with the baking soda. It is best to use a vacuum with a HEPA filter as this will effectively capture and contain the dust mites. Ordinary vacuum cleaners simply spread the mites further.
Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter
Keep it clean even under the bed
A much more effective option is to simply purchase a mattress that is resistant to dust mites. A latex mattress is the only mattress that is naturally resistant to dust mites. Latex, made from the sap of the rubber tree, is naturally resistant to dust mites as it is an inhospitable environment for them to thrive.
A dust mite-resistant mattress can provide year-round relief and hygiene for those with dust mite allergies.
Stuffed animals are also infested with dust mites
If you’re thinking about buying a latex mattress, you might want to consider a latex pillow at the same time. The head is the part of the body that breathes in all of the dust mite enzymes.
The pillow is of great importance for a peaceful sleep
Keep your home dust-free and have fun doing it too!