Dust mites are found in most homes across the U.S. and are responsible for many of the allergy and asthma triggers we experience on a daily basis. These eight legged creatures, descendants of the common spider, normally live 10-19 days. However, female dust mites can live up to 70 days in some cases and lay over 60-80 eggs over their lifetime. Unlike bed bugs, dust mites are not parasites and do not live on the host directly. Instead, dust mites live off skin flakes and other organic material making mattresses and pillows an ideal place to live.
Dust mites are relatively harmless themselves, but issues arise from their 20 feces waste droplets left behind each day, which reek havoc on those with eczema, allergies, and asthma. Given their feces can buildup and flow freely through the air, it’s easy to inhale into the lungs and nasal cavities resulting in chronic health issues. Also, with the close proximity of the mouth and nose to pillows and mattresses, it’s always a good idea to keep your sleep system as sanitary as possible decreasing the amount of dust mites and their droppings.
Reducing the amount of dust in your home is a great way to reduce the adverse health effects of dust mites. Using vacuum cleaners equipped with HEPA filters regularly and installing quality air filters can greatly reduce the amount of airborne dust mite feces found in the home. Using dehumidifiers also works well as dust mites prefer humid environments, especially pillow and mattresses, where the human body naturally perspires.
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