Hydrex Pest Control - The House Dust Mite

The House Dust Mite

House dust mites are tiny, transparent pests who feed mostly on dead skin cells shed by humans or pets. These mites are too small to be seen with the naked eye, but are present in most every house in some degree. With skin cells being their favorite food, they concentrate in areas like beds or stuffed furniture. Carpets usually only house a fraction of the dust mite population. Dust mites themselves don't cause a problem, as they don't bite. The problem comes from the skins they shed, and their excrement. These by-products are the main cause of people's breathing related allergies inside. Infestations of dust mites can get so high a single bed can contain millions of them, and 10% of the weight of a pillow can be dust mite skins and feces. Pesticides aren't used for dust mite control, but there are some things that can be done to help. They need moisture and food to live, so anything that can be done to deprive them of those 2 things will be effective. Dehumidifying rooms, airing out bedding, washing blankets, replacing natural pillows with synthetic ones, vacuuming, and covering mattresses with plastic covers are all things that will cut way down on dust mite populations. Remember, it's what the dust mites give off that causes the problem. So cleaning up their microscopic waste is important, as well and controlling the number of adults so more waste is not produced.