Houses can be home to lots of little creatures that move in without your permission. Many of these pests are well-known and easy for you to spot. For instance, you know when you have a rodent problem or some birds nesting in your roof. It’s also pretty clear when there’s a wasp or bee infestation! However, there’s one household pest that’s less well-known. In fact, most people are unaware that this pest even exists. It’s impossible to see with the naked eye, yet this tiny pest could be everywhere – and it could be harming your health. Dust mites.
What are dust mites?
These tiny little arachnids feed on dead human skin cells. They are usually found in dusty areas of the home. And because they love warm, humid areas, it makes your bed a perfect place to hide. You probably won’t notice them in your house unless you keep waking up with bites.
Why are they bad?
What’s the problem with these little mites? Are they like bedbugs in the sense that they just bite you? Well, while the bites can be itchy and irritating, they’re only half the story. Dust mites are bad for your health – particularly if you have allergies or asthma.
The issue with this pest is that it harbors allergens. This can trigger things like allergic rhinitis, causing your nose to get stuffy and dry. In fact, if you wake up every morning with a stuffy nose and can’t seem to figure out why, it could be because of dust mites. Similarly, they can cause symptoms in people with asthma, making it harder for you to breathe.
How do I know if I have dust mites in the home?
If there’s dust, you probably have dust mites. It’s not a given, but excessively dusty areas that rarely get cleaned can spawn these pests. However, the main way to know if they’re an issue is if you suffer from allergic symptoms or have difficulty breathing. Waking up with a stuffy nose or a cough is a telltale sign for sure – as are the obvious signs of a small red dust mite bite.
How do you deal with them?
The silver lining here is that having dust mites is not a home crisis. There are plenty of ways to deal with dust mites both by yourself and with the help of others. Some pest control services can come in handy if the problem is severe and no other solutions work. Just remember to use a company that provides eco-friendly pest control methods for a sustainable future, rather than loads of chemicals.
Before you call them up, make an effort to wash all of your bedclothes – including your comforter – and thoroughly clean your house. Steam-clean carpets and curtains to kill any dust mites and leave everything nice and fresh. If you Google “dust mite sprays” there are some products that claim to help kill mites as well. These tactics should be enough to deal with the issue. If not, call pest control services.
