The Humble Dust Mite: a Small but Mighty Challenger to Summer Healthiness

In Western North Carolina, humidity is up. If you’re also experiencing ongoing summertime allergies or chronic rhinitis (runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing or coughing), you may want to consider whether it’s possible the humble dust mite has a big impact on your health.

You can lead a dust mite to water, but you can’t make him drink. That’s because he – and hundreds of thousands of his friends – absorb the moisture they need to survive from your home’s humidity. If your home is older, or exhibits problems with summer humidity or mustiness, chances are you also have dust mites flourishing in those areas, such as basements or laundry rooms, where there are moist conditions and temperatures of around 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

Dust mites are common. Though not parasites (they don’t bite, sting, or burrow into humans or animals), they cause other problems. About 20 million Americans have dust mite allergies, and an estimated 4 of 5 homes in the U.S. have at least one bed that test positive for dust mite allergens, according to the American Lung Association.

This summer, how about we show those pesky little dust mites who’s boss? Make sure they get the message that they are very un-welcome guests in the house.  Make your place very unfriendly to them. Be certain the dust mites won’t like what they see when it comes to food, water, and shelter.

1. Don’t allow your bedrooms to become absolutely packed with dust mite food.

   Dust mites feed on skin flakes that are shared by humans an animal pets. Recognize that dust mite food is piling up in your bedding, pets bedding, carpets, rugs, drapes, upholstered furniture, blankets, throw pillows, clothing, and stuffed toys.Wash your sheets and pillowcases weekly in hot water, at least 130 degrees F. While running the load, consider covering the mattress, box springs, and pillows with airtight dust mite covers (check plastics for no-outgas options). When fluffing pillows or toppers, remember to check for feathers or down. Feather pillows and down comforters may also trigger allergic reactions, as well as providing a haven for mites. If your immune system is sensitive, consider a switch to polyester.Take a look around, run a finger over the edge of your home’s surfaces or peek under the beds. How much dust do you see? Our microscopic, insect-like housemates feed off the dead human or pet skin cells found in that dust. They live in our bedding, mattresses, furniture, carpets and curtains. Leaving behind their own fecal pellets and body fragments, they add to the dust in your home and generate allergens that trigger allergic reactions and asthma.

2. Don’t allow dust mites to hide, feed, and shelter in the forest of dust that buildup on, under, and behind surfaces throughout your house.

   This includes your air duct system. Look to see how much dust has built up on your return air grille, in your return air box, and in the rest of your return air ducts. Have an air duct cleaning service clean those and other dust are the air ducts and vents throughout the house.Collect up dust accumulations from under and behind furniture pieces, under and behind the refrigerator, stove, dishwasher, washer-dryer, chest of drawers, bookshelves and desks. Vacuum floors and carpets regularly with a “HEPA” or high efficiency particulate air filter, and vacuum or wash throw rugs frequently. Clean floors with a damp cloth or mop. Spray a dust mite eliminator product and/or anti-allergen spray on fabric and carpets to reduce allergens.

3. Last, but not least, think about water. Well…not really water, but humidity.
   

   You’ve got to take measures to control dampness and humidity in this house of yours that sits in this highly humid climate. This is where you’ll most likely need some guidance. This is the part where you have to define the air flow, temperature, and moisture conditions in the various zones of your house. What are the environmental dynamics at play in the occupied rooms, the basement, the crawl space, the garage, the attic and within the central air system? What results are you getting from your exhaust devices, dehumidifiers, air cleaners, and energy recovery ventilators? How about the wind situation on your property and the stack effect of your house? These temperature, moisture, and air dampness conditions do very much define the degree to which your house is friendly or unfriendly to supporting thriving populations of dust mites. At the very least, you’ll likely be needing to switch out your old HVAC filter for a new one. Make certain it has a minimum efficiency reporting value, or MERV, of 8-12. This rating means the filter will significantly reduce the amount of human dander, pet dander, mold particulates, dust mite remnants, and other particles from the air you breathe.You’ll also need to use a dehumidifier to decrease moisture in the home, particularly if the humidity is above 50%. On warm, low dew point days, open up the house to reduce humidity.

If chronic exposure to allergens continues to impact your health at home, let’s talk.