How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs and Dust Mites

A lot of people have dust mites or bed bugs in their houses, but they only present a problem to some, like those allergic to dust mites or bed bug bites.

Dust mites are microscopic 8-legged arthropods, related to the spider. They mainly feed on flakes of human and animal skin.
Dust mites are not parasites and will not bite, burrow into your skin, or attach themselves to you in any way.
Dust mites cannot survive in areas of low humidity, so the fortunate few who live in drier climates may be spared. The rest of us are sure to have dust mites occupying our living spaces. Even the cleanest homes will have them but in lesser numbers.
They can be anywhere but mostly accumulate in bedding, carpet, upholstered furniture, and stuffed animals. As we stir up dust during everyday living, they will also temporarily float through the air.

The danger of dust mites comes from them being a factor in cases of asthma, COPD, and other respiratory conditions.
Skin allergies while sleeping are mostly caused by dust mites, which could produce a dry, red, itchy, eczema-type of rash.
People with asthma may find their symptoms (wheezing, shortness, of breath, chest tightness, and cough) much worse in areas where dust mites are not controlled.
Secretions from the dust mite (digestive enzymes and feces) as well as dead, decaying dust mites produce an allergic reaction in the sensitive individual.

Bed bugs have caused quite a stir in recent years, mainly in hotels. However, they can also be found in apartments, college dorms, or anywhere, really. Bed bugs are considered to be a public health concern, but they are not linked to the spread of disease.
Although bed bugs are small, mature adults can easily be seen with the naked eye. They are flat, brown, and oval-shaped; about the size and shape of an apple seed.
However, unlike the dust mite, bed bugs are parasites. They feed only on a host’s blood. Unfortunately, here’s where we, as humans, come in.
Bed bugs can be difficult to find. They are creatures of the night and prefer to remain hidden unless searching for a meal.
Because of this, you may not know they share your room until you wake up one morning with bites. Keep in mind, everyone reacts to bed bug bites differently. Some may have a severe allergic reaction while others may not react at all.

How to get rid of them?

1. Lower the temperature and humidity.

Making your home dry and comfortable is one of the simplest home remedies to get rid of bed bugs or dust mites.
Because dust mites do not consume water, they absorb it directly from the air. At least 50 percent of humidity in the atmosphere is required by these insects to normally survive. As the humidity levels fall below this criterion, dust mites start perishing.

So, don’t forget to measure your home’s humidity levels and switch on a dehumidifier if necessary, and control the level of humidity indoors, especially in your bedroom. While using a dehumidifier to get rid of bed bugs and dust mites, it is important not to overdo it as lower levels of humidity can adversely affect some people.
A room temperature of between 18 to 22 degrees Celsius – particularly in the bedroom where populations are highest – is ideal for both reducing bed bugs and dust mite populations and encouraging good quality sleep!

2. Wash bedding and soft furnishings at high temperatures.

As dust mites can’t survive temperatures higher than 50 degrees Celsius, you should wash bedding weekly at these temperatures. Other soft furnishings such as cushions, throws, and rugs should be washed once or twice monthly at this temperatures to ensure that they remain free of bed bugs or dust mites.
You can consider adding a few drops of eucalyptus oil in the water while cleaning the bedding. This will ensure the killing of up to 99% of dust mites.

3. Try freezing.

Some fabric items – such as silk cushion covers or stuffed toys – simply can’t be washed at such high temperatures, as they can be destroyed. If you suspect these items as a home to bed bugs or dust mites, consider freezing them.

If these items are small enough to fit into your freezer, place them in a sealed bag or container and freeze them for 24 hours. This will kill the bugs or mites, although it won’t get rid of the allergens. It will, however, stop them from adding more droppings to your home!
Vacuum or vigorously shake out the items after freezing to remove as many of the dead mites as you can. If possible, run the item through a low-temperature wash instead.

5. Be a minimalist.

Clutter causes dust to collect and dust attracts dust mites!
Cleaning your house and every little item in it frequently can definitely decrease the dust mite populations. However, maintaining the hygiene of unnecessary ornaments, huge stacks of books, picture frames, piles of papers and other stuff can be hectic and time-consuming.

To reduce the hassle of cleaning, it is better to decrease the number of throws and ornamental cushions on beds and sofas. Swapping the fabric and padded headboards with wooden ones and blinds over curtains can eliminate the hideouts for dust mites as well as their droppings.

Houses with bare floors are said to have 90% percent fewer dust mites compared to carpeted homes. So, choose wooden floors and tiles over carpets. Use small rugs and plush which are easy to wash on a monthly basis.

6. Reduce the number of houseplants.

Although houseplants are a wonderful addition to any home, they can quickly build up a layer of dust and provide a haven for mites. Therefore, it is important to reduce the number of houseplants as a part of home remedies to get rid of dust mites.

If you can’t live without some greenery around you, remember to regularly wipe the leaves with a damp cloth.

You can also reduce the number of allergens inside your house by choosing some specific types of plants. Some of the most useful indoor plants with air-purifying properties include Peace Lilies, Gerbera Daisies, Bamboo Palm, Philodendron, Areca Palm, and Dracaena.

As a bonus, these plants will also help you get a good night sleep.

7. Invest in a hypoallergenic mattress!

Given that an average mattress contains between 100,000 and 10 million dust mites (which leave several million droppings), paying special attention to the bedroom is important in the fight against mites!

While many of the methods listed above will reduce dust mites in bedding, those who are particularly sensitive may need extra protection against these insects.
Special hypoallergenic mattress fabric like fabric with silver yarn prevents bed bugs and dust mites from setting up home in your bedding. The fabric inhibits dust mites, which means fewer problems during your sleep.
It also allows the body to get rid of excess heat and sweat, so it keeps the sleeping area dry for optimum sleep, and also helps keep the mattress cool.
A mattress that inhibits dust mites is an essential method of keeping them out of your home and away from your sensitive sinuses. Choose a mattress with a high tech fabric cover that can be unzipped and washed, and this way all these micro-creatures will be gone from your sleeping environment.

Luckily, we make the ideal mattress that stays 99.9% bacteria, dust-mite, and bedbug-free. Take a look at the WHISPER mattress with its self-cleaning cover and breathable, dry quantum foam.

8. Pet owners should take extra precautions.

Pets with fur or feathers contribute to dander, which increases the food supply for mites. In fact, cat dander residue can still be found in significant levels in carpets for years, even after the animal has gone.

Those with pets should groom the animal only outdoors to avoid extra dander being circulated in the home, and wash animal bedding regularly at high heats. Hypoallergenic fabric covers are also available for pet beds.
Keeping the pets off human bedding is also a good idea to reduce dust mite populations in bedrooms. It’s also definitely worth removing curtains, carpets and other unnecessary soft furnishings throughout the home.
Pet owners should also be aware that their furry friends can suffer from dust mite allergies too – around 30-80 % of dogs and cats test positive for this condition! Common signs in both animals include itching and recurrent ear inflammation or infections.

Let us know if these tips have helped you curb your allergies and if you’ve decided to give the WHISPER a try with our 100-night risk-free trial, please let us know about your experience in our review section.