Dust mites are tiny insects that feed on dead skin cells shed by humans and animals. They are found in fabric items like bedding, upholstered furniture, carpets, and stuffed toys. Dust mites themselves are harmless, but their feces and shed skins can trigger allergic reactions and asthma in sensitive individuals. It is estimated that dust mites are present in 4 out of 5 homes in the United States. For people who are allergic to dust mites, it is important to use strategies to reduce dust mite populations in bedding and bedrooms. This article will discuss different methods for killing dust mites in bedding.
What are dust mites?
Dust mites belong to the arachnid family and are related to spiders and ticks. There are over 30 different species of dust mites, but the most common ones are Dermatophagoides farinae and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus. Dust mites are microscopic, measuring only about 0.2-0.3 mm in length as adults. They have transparent bodies and 8 legs.
Dust mites thrive in warm, humid environments with temperatures around 68-77°F and humidity levels above 50%. They enjoy eating shed human skin cells and prefer to live in soft surfaces like mattresses, pillows, carpets, stuffed animals, and fabric furniture. A single mattress can harbor 100,000 to 10 million mites!
Why are dust mites problematic?
Dust mites themselves do not bite or transmit diseases. However, their feces and decomposing bodies contain proteins that can trigger allergic reactions and asthma symptoms in sensitive people. Reactions to dust mites are an example of perennial allergic rhinitis and asthma, meaning symptoms persist year-round as long as you are exposed to the allergen.
Common symptoms of dust mite allergy include sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, itchy/watery eyes, coughing, irritated sinuses, postnasal drip, and itching. Severe dust mite allergy can exacerbate conditions like eczema and asthma. Reactions usually occur shortly after waking up in the morning due to prolonged exposure to dust mites in bed.
How to reduce dust mites in bedding
Here are some of the top methods for killing and reducing dust mite populations in bedding:
Wash bedding at high temperatures
One of the most effective ways to kill dust mites is to wash your bedding frequently in hot water. Frequent washing removes accumulated dust mite allergens. Aim to wash sheets, pillowcases, and blankets at least once weekly in 130°F or hotter water. High heat kills the mites and denatures the proteins in dust mite feces/particles that cause allergic reactions. If laundry sanitizing settings are available, these can also help kill mites.
Use linen or synthetic fiber bedding
Dust mites prefer to burrow and thrive in soft, woven fabrics like flannel sheets and down-filled comforters and pillows. Switching to linen or synthetics like polyester for your bedding can help discourage mite colonization. These smooth, tighter woven fabrics allow less room for mites to burrow and accumulate.
Here is a comparison of common bedding materials:
| Bedding Material | Dust Mite Preference |
|---|---|
| Cotton | High – soft, woven fabric |
| Linen | Low – smooth, tight weave |
| Synthetic Fabrics (Polyester) | Low |
| Wool | High – woven, holds moisture |
| Silk | Moderate |
| Down | High – soft filling |
As you can see, switching away from soft cottons and wool to smoother synthetics and linen can make bedding less hospitable for mites.
Use mattress and pillow encasements
Dust mite encasements are tightly woven fabric covers that fully enclose your mattress and pillows. Quality encasements use very finely woven materials that mites cannot penetrate or bite through. This traps mites inside the casing away from human contact. Look for encasements made of tightly woven cotton, microfiber, polyester or vinyl. Zipped encasements make it easier to regularly wash the covers according to manufacturer instructions.
Freeze bedding
Exposing bedding to extremely low temperatures can kill dust mites. Some suggestions include:
– Place pillows in a sealed plastic bag and freeze overnight.
– Take extra bedding outside and leave in freezing temperatures for several hours.
– Dry clean bedding using liquid carbon dioxide or dry ice to freeze and kill mites.
Freezing is lethal to mites but won’t remove dead mite matter or skin cell debris that builds up over time. So combine freezing with regular hot water washing.
Use desiccant dusts
Desiccants are dust-like substances that absorb moisture, causing dehydration. Common desiccant dusts used to kill mites include diatomaceous earth and silica aerogel. These microscopic, sharp particles abrade the waxy outer coating of dust mites, leading to dehydration and death. Diatomaceous earth can be sprinkled onto mattresses before encasing or washing. It is low risk but some people find inhalation irritating.
Vacuum frequently
Regular vacuuming can suck up live dust mites, skins, feces, and accumulated allergens. Focus on areas like mattresses, bed frames, curtains, furniture and carpet. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to capture microscopic particles. Immediately dispose of vacuum bags after use so any live mites don’t escape back into your home. Frequent deep cleaning breaks the dust mite life cycle.
Use acaricides
Acaricides are chemical pesticides designed to kill mites and ticks. Benzyl benzoate is one example used against dust mites. It can be applied full strength directly to fabrics, carpets and mattresses to kill mites through contact. Exercise precautions as acaricides are toxic chemicals. Spot test for damage before widespread use and avoid inhaling fumes.
Best overall approach for managing dust mites
No single method will completely eliminate dust mites. An integrated pest management approach using multiple techniques is best:
– Encase mattress and pillows in dust mite covers.
– Wash all bedding weekly in hot 130°F+ water.
– Replace fabric bedding with synthetics or linen when possible.
– Vacuum carpets, bedding, and furniture 1-2 times per week.
– Freeze or heat treat bedding periodically to kill mites.
– Use desiccants or acaricides periodically as needed on mattresses.
– De-clutter bedrooms and remove fabrics that attract mites.
– Maintain humidity under 50% in bedrooms.
– Remove carpets in bedrooms if possible.
With diligent and regular use of these tactics, dust mite populations can be substantially reduced to minimize allergy and asthma triggers. Speak to an allergist for personalized medical advice if you suffer from severe dust mite allergies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I have more dust mites in my bedding?
Dust mites thrive in warm, humid environments in bedding. Frequent human contact in beds also provides them a constant food source from dead skin cells. Other factors like carpeted floors, cluttered bedrooms, cotton bedding, and infrequent laundering allow mite populations to multiply quickly.
How often should I wash my sheets to control dust mites?
Wash your sheets at least once per week in hot 130°F or higher water temperatures to kill dust mites and remove allergens. Even more frequent washing, such as every 3-4 days, provides added benefit for severe dust mite allergies.
What temperature kills dust mites in bedding?
Wash bedding in 130°F or hotter water temperatures to kill dust mites. If using dry heat, temperatures reaching 113°F for 1 hour or 122F for 10 minutes are lethal to mites. Freezing overnight at 0°F or below will also kill dust mites.
Do mattress encasements really work?
Yes, quality tightly woven mattress encasements have been shown in studies to significantly reduce dust mite populations by trapping them inside. Polyurethane or finely woven microfiber covers work best. Combine encasements with periodic washing to maintain low mite levels.
How long do dust mites live in bedding?
The average dust mite life span is 4-6 weeks under ideal warm, humid conditions. Mites will continue to proliferate in bedding indefinitely as long as humidity and food sources remain. Thorough cleaning to disrupt the habitat and life cycle is key to limiting populations.
Conclusion
Dust mites are microscopic pests that thrive in the warm, humid environment inside beds. Their feces and remains are common asthma and allergy triggers. Killing dust mites in your bedding requires an integrated approach using techniques like hot-temperature washing, drying, freezing, encasements, vacuuming, desiccants, and acaricides. With consistent Vigilance using multiple methods, dust mite populations can be substantially lowered to relieve allergy symptoms and improve comfort. Speak to an allergist or healthcare provider for help creating a customized dust mite avoidance plan tailored to your needs.