Mites

The facts

House dust mites are tiny (up to 0.3 mm) animals related to ticks and spiders and live in house dust. There is not a house without them, but some houses contain huge numbers and other houses contain almost none. This does not only depend on cleanliness, but depends very much on the amount of moisture in the house; dry houses in very cold climates or on high mountains have few mites, but houses in temperate climates and normal altitudes have more. House dust mites eat the dust which comes from our skin all the time. They leave droppings everywhere they go. Their droppings contain left-over enzymes which the mites use to digest the skin dust. It is these enzymes which are the most important part of mite dust in causing asthma and other allergic diseases. In fact, house dust mites and their droppings are the most important cause of asthma worldwide. There is ample proof that living in surroundings with little or no mite dust improves or cures asthma in those people whose asthma is caused by it. In practice it is proving to be almost prohibitively difficult for most people to achieve this. There are useful things you can do. It is also worth being aware of things people will try to sell you which may be a waste of money.

Where do Mites live?

The greatest numbers of dust mites can be found in carpets, which provide the best conditions (warmth, humidity and food) for their growth. Mites are also present in mattresses, pillows, blankets, upholstered furniture, curtains and similar fabrics. Female mites can lay 25 to 50 eggs, with a new generation produced every three weeks. It is therefore easy to see why carpets may contain such large numbers of living and dead mites.

Why keep Mites under control?

The number of people with allergic asthma and similar illnesses is rising around the world. In this country, about two and a half million adults suffer from asthma and one child in seven is affected. House dust mite allergen is one of the most common triggers of asthma. About one in ten of us has a family tendency to develop allergic asthma if we are regularly exposed to high levels of allergens. Controlling the levels of allergen could stop people with a family tendency for allergic asthma from developing the disease. This is particularly important for very young children. If you have allergic asthma it is quite likely that you are allergic to house dust mites. Skin tests can help to identify allergies but they may not show you everything that could be causing your asthma. If you think that you or your family may be allergic to house dust mites try taking the first steps in the following guide to see whether there is any improvement. If you are in doubt you should consult your Doctor. You cannot get rid of all the mites from your home. But you can cut down the numbers a lot.

Prevention & Control

Starting with the bedroom first. Cover mattresses, pillows and duvets with 'efficient' anti-mite micro-porous material. Remove carpets and clutter. Do not make your bed but air it all day long to reduce moisture from sleep. If cost is an issue, it's best to cover the mattress and pillows first. Make sure to regularly hot wash all bedding (duvets too) to get rid of mites and their eggs. House dust mites hide away from the light and burrow into the mattress clinging on with powerful hooks and suckers on each legs. However, vacuuming the mattress will reduce some of the dust that mites live on.

Treatment

Contact Paramite Pest Solutions if you suspect you may have a problem and we can advise you on the best course of action. A visit by our pest control officer can be arranged. He will carry out a survey. Paramite Pest Solutions will take all possible precautions. Revisits will be made until the problem is cleared.