How to eliminate mites

Mites are some very small arthropods, so much so that they are invisible to the human eye. Depending on the species, its size can vary from 0.5 millimeters to 0.2. Normally, they tend to live in closed places, where light does not reach and preferably where there is dust. That is why they can be found in warehouses, closed rooms, kitchens or barns. These feed on small pieces of food present in the environment and dust, which is why many people have allergic symptoms to dust.

However, the species that usually cause allergies are those that live in house dust and that, basically, are the Dermatophagoides farinae and the Dermatophagoides Pteronyssinus. In case you didn’t know, our skin is constantly renewing itself, shedding small scales little by little. It is these very small pieces of skin that These types of mites feed. That is why they live most in those places and objects where we can find the most remains of skin: sofas, clothes, pillows, mattresses, carpets, stuffed animals or blankets.

Taking into account that they are not visible to the human eye, it is normal that many people wonder how to know if there are mites in your house or in your room. The answer to this question is very easy: yes there are mitesNo matter what you do, there will be some. In fact, as long as you are not allergic it is not a problem that there are any and as long as you practice correct hygiene there should be no more problems. Mites are around us just like microbes or other microscopic elements are.

The next question is, what now? Just because there are mites does not mean that we should not do everything possible to reduce their number and avoid any type of symptoms. That is why below we will explain how to eliminate mites from the mattress and bed, two of the places where they proliferate the most. To do this, certain aspects about mites and the conditions in which they reproduce must be taken into account to try to prevent them. For example, these arthropods like high humidityabout 70% and a temperature between 20 and 30ºC. On the other hand, with humidity below 50% it is more difficult for it to survive.

Taking all this into account, it is not surprising that autumn and spring are when there are more mites, as well as that they are more common in areas near the coast than in the interior.

The first essential step that you must follow in order to eliminate mites of your home is ventilate daily all the rooms in your house, especially the bedrooms. To do this, it is recommended that you open the doors and windows for at least 30 minutes so that the air can circulate and be renewed.

Likewise, the mattresses They are one of the most common habitats for mites, so you should also air them frequently; Try to do it at least once a month, every 2 weeks if possible. For its part, mattress hygiene is essential. To eliminate mites, the mattress should be washed once a week using the vacuum cleaner and thoroughly once every 6 months.

Cleaning the mattress to eliminate mites can be done at home with products that you surely have. You simply have to spread a mixture of water and baking soda over the entire surface of the mattress, rubbing it. Mix a spoon of powdered detergent with a liter of water and, after allowing 10 minutes for the baking soda to act, clean the surface with that mixture. Finally, let it dry outdoors or do it indoors with the help of a dryer.

As we have explained previously, mites proliferate in high humidity. That’s why it’s very important reduce humidity inside the house, that is why it is recommended to keep it below 50%. The use of air conditioning and dehumidifying devices are two good ways to achieve this and thus prevent the proliferation of mites.

On the other hand, there are acaricides (or anti-mite spray), chemical substances that eliminate mites. These anti-mite sprays are not toxic to humans, so you can use them without problem. Furthermore, today you can find them very easily in any supermarket. However, there is something you should keep in mind, and that is that these products kill mites but do not eliminate their remains. Since mite excrement without the main allergens, after using it you must clean deeply to dispose of his remains.

Finally, you should know that there are also anti-mite covers which can help to avoid being in direct contact with these microorganisms.

But to eliminate bed mites it is not enough to keep the mattress clean. There are other elements such as the pillow or the sheets that must be taken into account, especially if they are those that are in direct contact with our skin.

When washing sheets and pillows you should do it at a temperature above 60ºC, since it will be the only way to eliminate the mites and babies that may be there. It is also important that you change them often, that way you will be able to eliminate the mites that have accumulated; In this FoxWiki article we tell you how often to change the sheets.

We often only look at the bed, the mattresses or the sheets. However, mites are all over the house. That is why we must be aware of how to prevent mites throughout the house:

• On the other hand, the rugs and carpets They also concentrate many mites, which is why it is recommended to remove them as much as possible, but if you do not want or are unable to do so, you must carry out proper carpet cleaning and carpet maintenance.
• At the time of dustingshould be done with the help of a damp cloth and a vacuum cleaner that has a suitable filter installed, instead of using a duster or a dry cloth, to prevent mites and other dust particles from becoming suspended in the air.

It is important eliminate mites because can negatively affect your health Since, if your house has these insects, it is likely that you will feel some itching or skin irritation when you come into contact with the places where these insects have settled. They can also cause respiratory problems, especially in people who are allergic to mites, dermatitis may even appear.

In our article how to prevent dust mites We explain more practical tips to avoid them.

If you want to read more articles similar to How to eliminate mites we recommend that you enter our Home Cleaning category.

Tips

• Prevent the accumulation of dust in any place or corner of your home.