How much do you know about dust mites?
You’re most likely hosting a few million of them, whether you know it or not. Luckily, professional carpet cleaning and taking a few other steps can keep you ahead of the invasion.
Here are quick facts on what it means to be living with dust mites and how you can show them the door.
1. Dust Mites are Alive
People sometimes mistake dust mites for clumps of dust, or “dust bunnies.” But these crawlers are more than just evidence that it’s been too long since you vacuumed.
The dust mites found in your Sioux Falls home are actually microscopic bugs. But just like larger bugs or animals, they feed, leave droppings, and multiply in your carpet and other areas.
2. They Tend to Live in Mattresses and Carpets
Preferring moist or warm areas, mites can set up camp in mattresses, your house’s upholstery, or carpeting. They might also find their way into pillows.
According to this extensive article on the little buggers by Environment, Health and Safety Online, a used mattress could have between 100,000 to 10 million mites living inside. 100,000 mites can also crowd into one square yard of carpet.
Mites feed on the skin flakes and dander of humans and our pets. Humans might shed up to 10 grams of dead skin each week.
3. They’re Mostly Harmless. But…
It’s revolting to think of dust mites scurrying across every surface in your home, but they really aren’t – of themselves – a huge health concern for most people.
They mercifully don’t transmit diseases, but the accumulation of their shed skins, dead bodies, and feces contribute a lot of “dust” to your carpets and upholstery.
Worse yet, some people will develop or be genetically predisposed to a dust mite allergy. The more that mite waste builds up, the more susceptible your family and visitors will become to the symptoms.
4. Detecting Them is Very Difficult
These microscopic mites are, of course, incredibly small. This can make confirming the presence of dust mites in your home very difficult.
You can prove the existence of mites by collecting samples from your mattresses, furniture, or carpets and using a microscope with powerful magnification capacity.
Honestly though? Don’t kid yourself. Dust mites are upsettingly common, and testing for them is just an expense. Instead, get ahead of the problem by learning to combat and remove mites from your home.
5. You Can Definitely Fight Back!
To take on dust mites, reduce excess moisture in your home and be sure to regularly clean your sheets, blankets, and any other soft goods that might be infested.
If your family has a lot of stuffed animals or other fabric items, place them in the freezer for 24 hours to kill off whatever mites are in place.
Finally, you have to stay on the ball with general cleaning. Make sure your carpets are getting a weekly vacuum treatment, and even then you should plan on professional carpet cleaning at least once a year.
Suspect You Have Dust Mites?
Don’t fight an uphill battle. These pests can easily spread throughout your home. If you’re serious about getting the filth out, make a bold move.
Our carpet cleaning experts in Sioux Falls and Yankton have plenty of battle experience against mites and other microscopic intruders. We’ll get the fight started so that you can sleep easy – without wondering how many millions of critters are running around your carpet.
Learn about INTEK’s Carpet Cleaning Packages »
