How to Keep Your House from Being A Breeding Ground for Dust Mites

Published on May 2, 2023

what are dust mites and how to get rid of them

Have you heard of "dust farms"? That's right, dust farms are a real thing and we'll show you how to eliminate them as well as the dust mites they harbour, so you can create a healthier environment for you and your family. 

So, grab a cuppa and let’s get started!

 

What Is A Dust Farm?

Dust mites and other allergens are extremely common in most homes and because of this, Dyson has actually designed a dust farm in the UK to help scientists learn more about them.

 

how to prevent your home from being a breeding ground for dust mites

 

Dyson's dust farm study endeavors to gain an understanding of how dust mites live and reproduce to improve how they design and develop home appliances that capture and remove allergens.

The dust farm was set up to replicate the mites’ ideal habitat and provide important insights into the habits and reproductive patterns of these organisms in both laboratory and natural settings.

Due to their diet of dead skin cells, dust mites in the farm are fed a special combination of dog biscuits, yeast, and wheatgerm. The farm maintains a steady 25 degrees Celsius and 70% humidity to maximise dust mite growth.

 

6 Proven Tips for Easy and Effective Home Dust Control

Homes can rapidly become a breeding ground for dust, which is a major contributor to indoor air pollution and a known trigger for a wide variety of allergic reactions - and the perfect breeding ground for dust mites.

These are some tips for maintaining a dust-free home:

 

tips for preventing dust mites

  • Cleaning on a regular basis is the best and most obvious method to maintain a dust-free home. Use a damp cloth or HEPA-filtered vacuum to remove dust from the floors, walls, and furnishings.
  • Doormats, both inside and outside the house, can help to trap some of the dust and debris that would otherwise be tracked inside.
  • Maintain a routine schedule of bedding change. Dust mites flourish in warm, damp places like mattresses and pillows. Sheets and pillows should be washed in hot water once a week to kill dust mites.
  • Maintaining a clean and well-groomed dog is important because it can generate a lot of allergens and dust. The amount of dander and hair floating around your house can be diminished through regular hygiene practices like brushing and bathing.
  • Air purifiers with HEPA filtration can be useful for reducing indoor air pollution caused by dust and other allergens.
  • Reduce the amount of clutter you have, as this will make it easier to clear and will prevent allergens and dust from collecting.

 

How to Know if You Have Dust Mites on Your Bed

how to tell if you have dust mites

We shed miniscule dead skin cells as we sleep, and as this is the main food source for mites, your mattress is where you should expect to discover the greatest concentration of dust mites.

Those dust mites leave feces behind, which can be a trigger for a range of health issues, making it extremely important to ensure your mattress is cleaned at least once a year.

 

6 Dust Mite Facts You Need to Know

dust mite facts you need to know
Actual photo of dead skin and dust mites that we've removed from a seemingly clean mattress.

  • Fact #1 - Dust mite allergens and mould spores are typically between 0.5 and 5 microns in size; one micron is equal to 1% of the diameter of a strand of human hair.
  • Fact #2 -Each dust mite can produce up to 20 droppings per day, which are created from digesting decaying skin cells from humans and animals.
  • Fact #3 -The dust mite population in a single square metre of carpet can reach 1000.
  • Fact #4 -Dust mites and their droppings can float through the air for up to 30 minutes after being disturbed by normal household activities, causing allergic responses in people who inhale them.
  • Fact #5 -Mattresses provide an ideal environment for dust mites because they are warm and dark. There can be as many as a million dust mites in a single mattress.
  • Fact #6 -When you wear shoes inside the home, you spread pollen, animal feces, fertilisers, motor oil, building materials, toxic compounds, and countless other organisms all over the house.

 

Book A Professional Mattress Cleaning to Keep Dust Mites Away

professional mattress cleaning and dust mite removal

Deep cleaning by Electrodry is a great option if you're worried about dust mites in your house. For expert carpet, upholstery, and mattress washing, please contact your nearby Electrodry service.

In Australia, no one cleans carpets, mattresses and upholstery like Electrodry. Since 1983, we've been serving the community as a family-run company. With our proprietary cleaning methods, cutting-edge cleaning products, and highly trained technicians, Electrodry consistently exceeds the expectations of our valued customers.

Please call Electrodry today on 13 27 13 or make a booking online.

 

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