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 and we guarantee a great reduction in Dust Mites.

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

Since dust mites are commonly experienced in the bed, most homeowners often confused their activities with bed bugs. However, dust mites are different than bed bugs since they do not bite. However, allergic reactions can cause some homeowners to experience skin irritatations 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, and this is the reason why almost every single home has a population of Dust Mites.

Once dust mites find their way into your home, it can be challenging to get rid of them. Its essential for homeowners to understand what dust mites are and how to properly remove them from their home by following the steps and products suggested throughout this DIY guide. 

Identification

Before you proceed with treatment, you will need to be sure that the pest infesting your home is indeed dust mites. Because Dust Mites are very hard to see with the naked eye (they are microscopic) it 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 8 legs.
• Dust mites have no eyes.
• Hhave a mouthpart, that serves as their head.
• Creamy blue to creamy white in color.
• Their main 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 the infestation is dust mites, you can then move forward with inspection. During the inspection, you will search your home for conditions allowing them to thrive and fix them.

Where To Inspect

Since most Dust Mites live indoors you’re searching in every room of your home. Dust mites are found in carpets, windows, bedding, cabinets, shelves, upholstered furniture, beds, mattress, 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’re able to find rooms with lots of dust, and some areas with possible leaks and where moisture collects, be sure to fix the moisture issue and clean up the dust. The areas where the dust is the heaviest and where moisture collects (and where people experience allergic reactions) are the areas where you will apply treatment.

It’s important to remember that every home has Dust Mites and during the summer when it is humid you will have the largest population of Dust Mites. While in the winter you will have the lowest since this season is the driest.

Treatment

Once you have confirmed Dust Mite activity it is time to begin treatment. Remember to first read all product labels and follow the application instructions on these labels, and stay safe by wearing personal protective equipment.

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 undistrubed 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 has shown to help greatly reduce dust mite populations, and removing their allergin materials like feces, shed skins, and deceased pests. These actions will need to be done at least once a week to kill and reduce dust mites in your home. 

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

Next, you will want to vacuum your floors, carpets, mattress, and other upholstered furniture throughout your home and other areas where dust gathers.

Step 3: Apply Sterifab Disinfectant Sanitizer

Disinfectant parts of your home and furniture that cannot be easily washed or vacuumed like carpets, rug, mats, sofas-upholstered chairs, and love seats with Sterifab Disinfectant Sanitizer. Sterifab Disinfectant Sanitizer is a fast drying insecticide and sanitizer that will not harm fabrics or carpets if applied according to the labels instructions. 

Though not specifically 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 sofas-upholstered chair surfaces, use 4-5 oz. of Sterifab Disinfectant Sanitizer for small sizes such as love seats. Regular size sofas use 6-8 oz. of product. Use 8 oz. of product on convertible sofas. 

For carpets, rugs, or mats to be treated apply Sterifab Disinfectant Sanitizer to top and undersides of these objects and allow to remain wet for at least 10 minutes. 

Spray labeled surfaces and articles until thoroughly dampened and allow to remain wet for at least 10 minutes. Prior to use, test this product in an inconspicuous location for compatability. 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. By cleaning, vacuuming, and washing your bedding you will create preliminary control of dust mites.
• Lower the humidity in your home by turning down the air conditioning or installing a dehumidifier to absorb excessive moisture. 
• Maintain the mattress and box spring encasement around your mattress. This will prevent dust mites from harboring in your bed.
• Finally, you can also 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 in your home and vacuum floors at least once a week. You will also need to apply Sterifab Disinfectant Sanitizer to other parts of the homes 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 dehumidifer. Reduce the environments for dust mites to live with weekly vacuuming and washing of bedding and other fabric materials like curtains.