Dust mites are small and usually no larger than the size of a poppy seed, dust mites can thrive in any bedding and mattress.
It is fair to ask: do all beds have dust mites? considering how uncomfortable they could make your sleep and the health risk they pose to you.
According to research, 300 to 1,000 mites can live in a single mattress and 0.25% of a bed is enough to house this number of dust mites.
In this article, We look at some of the easiest ways to identify if your bed is breeding dust mites and how to get rid of them. We also look at dust mite-proof mattress covers you can easily start using.
Do all houses have dust mites?
Dust mites are a troubling thing to many people. These microscopic arachnids feed on dead human skin and can cause health issues for those who are allergic. Unfortunately, these insects are found in about half of the homes in the United States.
Do all beds have dust mites?
Dust mites are unavoidable and can be found in almost any home. They leave behind a fine layer of feces that can irritate the skin, causing you to itch and your skin to become covered in unsightly rashes. The worst part is that dust mites dwelling in your bed, pillows, or furniture are most likely contaminants since they contaminate your sheets, pillows, and other covers that make up your bed.
How do I know if my mattress has dust mites?
If you wake up with a runny or itchy nose, postnasal drip, itchy skin, congestion, sinus pressure (may cause facial pain), itchy, watery, or red eyes, scratchy throat, and cough – then you might have dust mites in your mattress. In the later part of this post, you will learn how to get rid of dust mites in mattresses without chemicals.
How many dust mites are in a typical bed?
A typical bed may contain between 100,000 and 10 million dust mites, according to the National Pest Management Association.
Dust mites vary in size, though barely visible to the human eye. These parasites feed on mold and dead skin cells, which humans shed constantly.
Does making your bed increase dust mites?
Making your bed transfers dust mites and their fecal matter into the air, so if you were to do an immediate air test, it would show significantly higher dust mite levels until they settle back down. However, leaving your bed unmade doesn’t do anything to get rid of the existing mite population.
Are bed mites visible?
The answer here is no! bed mites are ¼ of a millimeter in length, which makes them virtually impossible to spot with the human eye—It takes a high-power microscope to see them clearly.
How do I get rid of dust mites in my bed?
- Constantly dust with a wet rag/towel & do not shake out your dirty items inside the house. Dust often, and especially well in areas where you sit or sleep. Don’t forget to clean the baseboards and also on and behind/underneath your headboard!
- Vacuum often with a vacuum that has a HEPA-type filter and cleans out or replaces the filter at intervals.
- Get an air purifier (or multiple) that also conforms to HEPA standards and run it all the time. You will also need to clean or replace the filter(s) very often and lastly, dispose of old fabric-covered furniture, rugs, carpeting, and even old books.
Dust mite proof mattress covers
- PlushDeluxe Premium Mattress Encasement.
- SafeRest Mattress Encasement.
- Bamboo Mattress Protector.
- SureGuard Mattress Encasement.
- Mission Allergy Dust Mite Cover.
What kills dust mites naturally?
Dust mites are the most common pests in households across the world. They are small, they are everywhere, and cause a lot of health issues.
With Diatomaceous Earth — a naturally made product with anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, you can easily get rid of dust mites in your home. DE helps you manage colonies of dust mites, fungi, and other pests that commonly attack your skin when you sweat.
Do air purifiers help with dust mites?
The air in your bedroom provides ideal living conditions for these dust mites. However, with the use of an air purifier in your bedroom, you can trap these allergens before they have a chance to settle on your pillows and mattress.
Final thought
While it is always easy to point fingers at bedding for the presence of dust mites, remember that it’s not always the bedding that is harboring them.
Dust mites can thrive almost anywhere including but not limited to your clothes, rug, and sofa cushions. You don’t have to throw away your pillows and mattress just yet because there are simple steps you can take to reduce the number of dust mites in your mattress, and we have listed them in this article.
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