Mites are so small that we cannot see them with the naked eye. And yet they are there: in every household there are millions of arachnids that feed on human skin flakes. They pose no health risk – unless you suffer from a house dust allergy.
Typical signs of a dust mite allergy are itchy, watery or red eyes. There are also violent sneezing attacks and a runny nose, and in the worst case, coughing or chronic asthma. The symptoms are not triggered by the 0.1 millimeter-sized arachnids, but by their excretions and body remains. These are found primarily in bed, as mites prefer a warm, humid environment. However, their presence has nothing to do with poor hygiene – allergy sufferers can still take measures to reduce the infestation and thus also the symptoms.
Take action: How to prevent mites
Ventilate properly
Since mites prefer a warm, humid environment, the bedroom should always be cool and dry. To reduce the humidity, you need to air the room regularly (once or twice a day) – the best way to do this is to open a window completely for several minutes. Also make sure that it is never warmer than 20 degrees in your bedroom. It is also helpful if the mattress can air out in the morning, as we sweat a lot at night. So instead of making the bed every morning, it is better to leave it uncovered.
Change bed linen
Although mites are not a sign of poor hygiene, it is advisable to change your bed linen regularly – ideally every four weeks, and even more often in the warm summer months. Used duvet and pillowcases should be washed at a minimum of 60 degrees, as the arachnids would survive low temperatures. Other textiles such as carpets, which also contain mites, can be hung in the garden or on the balcony in the sun for a few hours.
Use mattress protectors
Mattresses are difficult to clean: Even if the cover is removable, it often does not fit in a regular washing machine and has to be taken to the dry cleaners. To save time and money, you can use a waterproof and breathable It is available in different sizes and is simply placed between the mattress and the bed sheet. For allergy sufferers, there are of course special – this refers to mite-proof protective covers.
Vacuum regularly
Where there is dust, there are mites. Not only in the bed, but also on the floor. To reduce the population, it is advisable to vacuum the bedroom regularly – or even wipe it down if the floor allows it. Hard-to-reach areas can be cleaned with a feather duster and dusty surfaces can be wiped down with a damp cloth. For allergy sufferers, a vacuum cleaner with a special which can filter more than 99.5 percent of all particles from the air.
Reduce infestation: These tools are available
Protective covers
There are special protective covers not only for the mattress, but also for and : So-called encasings (“to encase” means “to cover”) were developed for allergy sufferers who react to dust mites. The mite-proof covers are designed to keep the arachnids and their excretions trapped between the blanket and the cover so that they cannot cause any symptoms. However, it is important to know that the encasings also need to be washed regularly.
air cleaner
Air purifiers are also equipped with a so-called HEPA filter (High-Efficiency Particulate Air/Arrestance). According to the manufacturer, the devices can remove up to 99.5 percent of the allergens that are most commonly found in the air. For example, it filters viruses, aerosols, pollen, dust, bacteria and ultrafine particles up to a size of 0.003 micrometers (μm) from the air. This can reduce typical symptoms such as itchy eyes and a runny nose.
Mite spray
This is an effective biocide that you can use to fight mites: The contact spray with geraniol kills the arachnids and fixes them to the mattress, but does not remove them. After treatment, speak to a you must vacuum the treated surfaces thoroughly. You should repeat this process at least every four to six weeks to prevent the mite population from spreading further.
Mite vacuum cleaner
As an alternative to air purifiers, there are also special for mattresses, duvets and pillows: They sterilize the surface with UV-C light, which kills 99.9 percent of the arachnids (according to the manufacturer). At the same time, the device sucks in the mites and their droppings and – thanks to the HEPA filter – does not let them out of the dust container. In addition, the mite vacuum also removes germs, bacteria, pathogens and fungi.
And one more tip: If you can no longer get the mite problem under control, it makes sense to replace the old mattress with a new one – this is generally recommended after five to eight years.
Fighting mites: The best home remedy
As an alternative to the aids mentioned, you can of course also use a tried and tested household remedy: It has a disinfectant effect and is said to fight mites – using this method: Take 30 milliliters of liquid and fill it with clear water into a standard spray bottle. Mix the contents and then apply it to the desired surfaces such as upholstered furniture or carpets. You can also use tea tree oil on the bed, including the mattress, blankets and pillows, but you should bear in mind that the smell can be very dominant and is not to everyone’s taste.
And one more tip at the end: You can also add tea tree oil to your mop water when cleaning the floor.
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Source: Stern
I’m Caroline, a journalist and author for 24 Hours Worlds. I specialize in health-related news and stories, bringing real-world impact to readers across the globe. With my experience in journalism and writing in both print and online formats, I strive to provide reliable information that resonates with audiences from all walks of life.
