Dust Mite Control: How To Get Rid of Dust Mites

This page is a general dust mite control guide. Using the products and methods suggested, you will get control of dust mites. Follow this guide and use the recommended products; we guarantee a significant reduction in dust mites.

Found in nearly all rooms, dust mites are microscopic insects that feed on skin cells and cause homeowners a series of health issues. They are almost impossible to see with the naked eye, but multiple sneezing and wheezing activity in your home could be a tell-tale sign of these pests.

Since dust mites are commonly found in beds, most homeowners confuse their activities with bed bugs. However, dust mites are different from bed bugs since they do not bite. However, allergic reactions can cause some homeowners to experience skin irritations such as red, itchy skin and rashes. 

Dust Mites survive in areas with high moisture and humidity. They also live off dander, which humans and pets shed almost every day. This is why nearly every home has a population of dust mites.

Once dust mites enter your home, it can be challenging to get rid of them. Homeowners must understand what dust mites are and how to properly remove them from their homes by following the steps and products suggested throughout this DIY guide. 

Identification

Before you proceed with treatment, you must be sure that the pest infesting your home is dust mites. Because dust mites are very hard to see with the naked eye (they are microscopic), they will be almost impossible to identify. If you were to look under a microscope, you would be able to discern the following traits:

• Dust mites are related to spiders, and, like their relatives, they have eight legs.
• Dust mites have no eyes.
• They have a mouthpart that serves as their head.
• Creamy blue to creamy white.
• Their primary diet is dead flesh, mainly our skin cells and flakes.
• They create allergens when they defecate, and we breathe them in.

Inspection

Once you have confirmed that the infestation is dust mites, you can proceed with the inspection. During the inspection, you will search your home for conditions, allowing them to thrive and fix.

Where To Inspect

Since most dust mites live indoors, you’re searching every room of your home. Dust mites are found in carpets, windows, bedding, cabinets, shelves, upholstered furniture, beds, mattresses, and every area where dust collects.

What To Look For

Dust mites are typically found where there is dust and areas with high moisture. Also, look for rooms where people experience allergic reactions like a runny nose, sneezing, and watery eyes. If you can find rooms with lots of dust and some areas with possible leaks where moisture collects, fix the moisture issue and clean up the dust. You will apply treatment in regions where the dust is the heaviest and where moisture collects (and where people experience allergic reactions).

It’s important to remember that every home has dust mites. During the summer, when it is humid, you will have the largest population of dust mites. In the winter, you will have the lowest population since this season is the driest.

Treatment

Once you have confirmed dust mite activity, it is time to begin treatment. Remember to read all product labels, follow the application instructions on these labels, and wear personal protective equipment to stay safe.

Step 1: Encase Bedding and Pillows

As you know, dust mites lurk in areas that are most visited by you or your pets, which is often our beds. For this reason, the best first step to take is to use an allergen-proof cover.

We recommend using Clean Rest Pro Mattress Encasement, Clean Rest Pro Boxspring Encasement, and Clean Rest Pro Pillow Encasement. Clean Rest Pro encasements are waterproof materials that protect the bed, boxspring, and pillows from not only stains but also bed bugs and dust mites. 

Dust mites will become trapped, unable to feed, and wander to other parts of clean bedding material. Soft to the touch, these encasements will not crackle or crunch, allowing for undisturbed sleep. 

Depending on the size of your mattress and boxspring will determine the accurate size to use. 

Step 2: Wash Bedding and Vacuum Weekly 

Weekly routines of washing bedding and vacuuming have been shown to greatly reduce dust mite populations and remove allergenic materials like feces, shed skins, and deceased pests. These actions must be done at least once a week to kill and reduce dust mites in your home. 

Start by washing all bedding, including blankets, covers, sheets, pillowcases, and other bedding materials like pet bedding, with hot water and drying on high heat.

Next, you should vacuum your floors, carpets, mattresses, and other upholstered furniture throughout your home and other areas where dust gathers.

Step 3: Apply Sterifab Disinfectant Sanitizer

Disinfect parts of your home and furniture that cannot be easily washed or vacuumed, such as carpets, rugs, mats, sofas, upholstered chairs, and love seats, with Sterifab Disinfectant Sanitizer. This fast-drying insecticide and sanitizer will not harm fabrics or carpets if applied according to the label instructions. 

Though not explicitly mentioned, Sterifab Disinfectant Sanitizer is labeled to treat mites, which is what dust mites fall under. The infested area should be sprayed thoroughly and repeatedly, directing the spray into all crevices, cracks, hiding places, seams, creases, and folds. 

To treat sofa-upholstered chair surfaces, use 4-5 oz. of Sterifab Disinfectant Sanitizer for small sizes such as love seats. For regular-size sofas, use 6-8 oz. of product. Use 8 oz. of product on convertible sofas. 

To treat carpets, rugs, or mats, apply Sterifab Disinfectant Sanitizer to the top and undersides and allow them to remain wet for at least 10 minutes. 

Spray labeled surfaces and articles until thoroughly dampened, allowing them to remain wet for at least 10 minutes. Prior to use, test this product in an inconspicuous location for compatibility. This product may not be compatible with waxed surfaces such as waxed flooring and leather fabric. 

Prevention

Once dust mites have been eliminated from your home, you will want to ensure these pests do not return. To prevent dust mites, we suggested following the recommended procedures to keep dust mites away: 

• To manage and prevent dust mite populations, start by regularly cleaning your home and washing your bedding. Cleaning, vacuuming, and washing your bedding will create preliminary control of dust mites.
• Turn down the air conditioning or install a dehumidifier to absorb excessive moisture, which can lower the humidity in your home. 
• Maintain the mattress and box spring encasement around your mattress. This will prevent dust mites from harboring in your bed.
• Finally, you can spray Sterifab Disinfectant Sanitizer as needed to kill dust mites in your home, especially during the Summer when these pests are most active.

Key Takeaways

What Are Dust Mites?

• Dust mites are tiny insects classified as mites that cannot be seen without a microscope. 

How to Get Rid of Dust Mites

• The best way to kill dust mites in your home is to wash all fabric and bedding material and vacuum floors at least once a week. You will also need to apply Sterifab Disinfectant Sanitizer to other parts of the home that cannot easily be washed or cleaned, such as carpets and sofas. 

Prevent Dust Mites Reinfestation

• Since dust mites like to live in the dark and need about 50% humidity to survive, they can be prevented in your home by keeping it well-air-conditioned below 50% humidity. In more humid and moist environments, you may need to install a dehumidifier. Reduce the environments for dust mites to live in with weekly vacuuming and washing of bedding and other fabric materials like curtains.