Who's in bed with you?

You have approximately 2 million Dust Mites crawling in YOUR bed right now! They also live in upholstered furniture, carpets, curtains, quilts, duvets, stuffed animals, vehicle and car seats.

Dust Mites - what are they?

Dust mites are a form of tick. They do not bite and they are so small that 3 mites could fit inside the period at the end of this sentence.

So how could something so small be such a threat to humans?

Dust mites are the source of one of the most powerful biological allergens! The protein found in their droppings and their carcasses is the allergen that causes asthma attacks, allergies, and eczema. Their droppings are also a proven cause of headaches, runny nose, itchy skin, puffy eyes and other related respiratory problems.

The average dust mite develops from an egg to an adult in three to fours weeks. An adult dust mite lives for two to four months. In that time they produce about 200 times its weight in waste product and lays up to 100 eggs!

The main food source is dead human skin flakes and animal dander. Humans shed about 50 million dead skin scales per day. (Approximately 80% of the materials seen floating in a sunbeam are flakes of shed skin.) This provides an endless food source for them.

So how do we remove them from our homes?

• Wash all bedding (sheets, bedcovers, pillow casings, comforters and blankets) once a week in hot water.
• Vacuum the mattress, pillows and base of the bed.
• Maintain a low indoor humidity - between 30-50% is ideal. Always dry the water pan before adding fresh water to a humidifier and after emptying a dehumidifier.
• Do not let your pets sleep in your bedroom.
• Remove bedroom carpets and heavy drapes - these can trap dander (dust mite food).
• Replace pillow every 3-5 years.
• Clean bathrooms, kitchens and basements regularly and make sure these areas have good air circulation.
• Vacuum carpets and rugs often or remove them completely.
• Cleam up surface dust as often as possible.
• Have carpets cleaned on a regular basis.
• Vacuum stuffed animals weekly and/or throw them in the dryer at a high setting.
• Put soft toys in the freezer for 24 hours every 3 weeks.
• Keep stuffed toys off beds.