Let the cat out of the bag first: dust mites do not bite! You could have a dust mite allergy, which manifests as a red and itchy rash. Not what you were expecting, was it? In this post, we’ll talk about mites and answer the topic, “Do Dust Mites Bite People?” For additional information, please call our organic pest control business at (317) 943-4008.

Now that we’ve cleared everything up, you’re undoubtedly wondering what dust mites are and how they get into your home. We’ll go over everything, including dust mite allergies, cleanup attempts, and much more.

What Exactly Are Dust Mites?

Dust mites are microscopic mites that dwell in a variety of spots throughout your home. They feed on dead skin and pet dander, prefer high-humidity environments, and can survive by absorbing water from the atmosphere’s humidity. As a result, dust mites are more common in older homes, homes in humid areas, and homes with musty/mildew scents. You can find them in apparel, mattresses, bedding, carpets, cushions, rugs, pet bedding, furniture, blinds, curtains, and stuffed animals, to name a few places. Males can live for around a month on average, while females may live for about 90 days. They can thrive for as long as it is humid because they live off dampness. They cannot, however, live in locations with little humidity.

Can Dust Mites Bite?

Dust mites have primitive mouthparts that are not intended to bite or sting humans. This is due to the fact that they feed on shed human and pet skin, pollen, fungi, excrement, and cast-off skins.

As a result, dust mites do not dwell or feed on humans and are not blood eaters like many other mites. Furthermore, dust mites never run out of favorite meals to eat.

Common Dust Mite Issues

Why should households be concerned about dust mites when they do not bite? The main issue created by dust mites is allergens, which induce allergic reactions in the body. Dust mite cast skins, excrement, and other body secretions are only a few of the more than 20 allergens produced by these animals. While the pests do not bite, they can create major medical problems for persons who are allergic to dust mites.

Can Dust Mites Cause Allergies?

Because dust mites do not bite, it’s possible that you’ve been having an allergic reaction. Because dust mites flourish in high humidity situations, your allergy or asthma symptoms may worsen during hotter, humid seasons. But how can you know whether you’re allergic to begin with?

Among the possible symptoms are:

• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Nasal leakage after surgery
• Stuffy/runny nose
• Watery, itchy eyes
• Itchy, red skin
• Throat itch

As with many allergies, antihistamines, over-the-counter decongestants, or doctor-prescribed allergy medicine or injections can provide symptom alleviation. Consult your doctor for additional information.

What Is the Best Way to Get Rid of Dust Mites?

Unfortunately, there is no way to totally eliminate them, however, you can reduce their presence by doing the following:

• Concentrate your efforts in places where they thrive.
• Once a week, wash bedding in hot water.
• Cover your bedding, mattresses, and pillows.
• Wash plush animals and keep them away from mattresses.
• Reduce the number of places where dust can accumulate by decluttering your home.
• Replace the flooring with wood or synthetic choices.
• Frequently vacuum
• Check that your vacuum has a HEPA filter.
• Frequently deep clean carpets and rugs
• Dust with a moist rag on a regular basis.
• Make use of a dehumidifier.
• Because they flourish in high humidity, keep your interior humidity between 40 and 60%.
• Use allergen-capture filters, such as our MERV 16 filter.

Healthy humidity is important for our overall health, especially when it comes to decreasing bugs in the air. See how one of our exterminators can assist you in controlling dust mites in your house. You can also call the best pest control at (317) 943-4008 or visit our website to learn more about How To Control Mites and our pest services.