Managing EXTENSION Lancaster County Dust Mites 444 Cherrycreek Road, Suite A / Lincoln, NE 68528 (402) 441-7180 / http://lancaster.unl.edu Barb Ogg, Extension Educator [311]

House dust mites are found in and high humidity levels—70-80 most homes. They are microscopic, percent relative humidity. One study eight-legged creatures closely associ- showed when humidity is 60 percent ated with us, but they are not parasitic or lower, the mite population stops and do not bite. They don’t burrow growing and dies out. under the skin, like scabies mites or Humans continually shed skin live in skin follicles, like skin follicle and lose about 1/5 ounce of dead mites. skin each week. We also spend about The concern about dust mites is one-third of our lives sleeping so high people are allergic to them. Symptoms levels of dust mites are often associ- associated with dust mite allergies ated with the bedroom, especially include sneezing, itchy, watery eyes, bedding and the mattress. Dust mites nasal stuffiness, runny nose, stuffy also eat animal dander so allergens

ears, respiratory problems, eczema Asthma and Immunology of Allergy, American Academy will be plentiful in areas where family and (in severe cases) asthma. Many Highly magnified view of a dust mite pets sleep. people notice these symptoms when they stir dust during cleaning activi- Dust Mite Management ties. But, dust also contains other al- CONSTITUENTS OF To eliminate dust mite allergens, lergens, including cat and dog dander, HOUSE DUST first, take actions to reduce dust mite cigarette ash, cockroach droppings, cigarette ash, incinerator ash, populations and second, reduce expo- mold spores and pollen. fibers (wool, cotton, paper and silk), sure to dust. No one method has been How can you find out if you’re fingernail filings, food crumbs, glass found for reducing mites and reliev- allergic to dust mites? An allergist, a particles, glue, graphite, animal and ing allergy suffering. human hair, insect fragments, paint medical doctor specially trained to chips, plant parts, pollen, polymer Lower Humidity—Reduce hu- treat allergies, should be consulted for foam particles, salt and sugar midity levels to less than 50 percent proper diagnosis. crystals, human skin scales, animal inside your home, especially in the The dust mite allergen is their dander, soil, fungal spores, tobacco, bedroom. This isn’t hard to do in tiny feces and body fragments which wood shavings. the winter, but can be a challenge in are components of dust. These par- Nebraska during summer months, ticles are so small they can become especially in homes without air airborne and inhaled when dust is have two distinct immature stages. conditioning. Studies have shown disturbed. Under optimal conditions, the entire air-conditioned homes have ten times life cycle from egg to adult takes three- fewer dust mite allergens than non- Biology four weeks. air-conditioned homes. In addition There are two species of house House dust mites feed on human to cooling the house, air conditioning dust mites found in North America. skin scales, pollen, fungi, bacteria and reduces the humidity dust mites need These mites are so small they are vir- animal dander. Dust mites do not to thrive. A study has shown using an tually invisible without magnification. drink free water, but absorb water electric blanket for eight hours each Female mites lay cream-colored eggs from the air and the environment. day reduced dust mites by 50 percent coated with a sticky substance so eggs To thrive, dust mites need very in one month. will cling to the substrate. These mites warm temperatures (75–80 degrees F) Continued on next page

Extension is a Division of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension is a Division of the Institutecooperating of Agriculture with the andCounties Natural and Resources the United at theStates University Department of Nebraska–Lincoln of Agriculture. cooperating with the Counties and the United States Department of Agriculture. University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension educational programs abide with the nondiscrimination policies Extension’s educationalof programs the University abide of with Nebraska–Lincoln the nondiscrimination and thepolicies United of theStates University Department of Nebraska–Lincoln of Agriculture. and the United States Department of Agriculture. Avoid Furry or Feathered tant tool for managing house dust spiratory diseases such as asthma and Pets—Pets with fur or feathers con- and dust mites is the vacuum cleaner. compromise the ability of the body tribute to the dander in the dust and Regular, thorough vacuuming of to fight respiratory infections. The increase food source for mites. If you carpets, furniture, textiles and other EPA also states manufacturers and are a pet lover, locate their sleeping home furnishings such as draperies vendors of ozone devices often use quarters as far from yours as possible will help keep dust mite populations misleading terms to describe ozone. and furnish their sleeping area so it low. Vacuums with a water filter are Terms such as “energized oxygen” or can be cleaned easily. Hardwood or preferable to those with a disposable “pure air” suggest ozone is a healthy vinyl floors with washable area rugs paper bag because a water vacuum kind of oxygen. Ozone is a toxic gas are ideal. removes a greater range of particle with vastly different chemical and Reducing Air Infiltration—Air- sizes than paper-bag types. There toxicological properties from oxygen. ing out the house with open windows are vacuums with highly efficient For more information about health allows entry of pollen, which is an- filters (HEPA) designed for use by problems associated with ozone, other allergen as well as food for dust people with allergies to dust. It is check out http://www.epa.gov/iaq/ mites. In some climates, incoming air better to vacuum thoroughly once pubs/ozonegen.html. may be humid, which promotes dust a week rather than lightly on a daily mites. basis. Vacuum mattresses and padded Chemicals Cleaning/Heat Treatments— furniture thoroughly; 20 minutes for No acaricides are registered for Wash all bedding weekly. Research each mattress is not too long. dust mite control, but benzyl benzo- has shown laundering with any de- Dusting—Dust furniture before ate or tannic acid may reduce levels of tergent in warm water (77 degrees F) you vacuum so the dust has time to dust mites. Be careful if you decide to removes nearly all dust mite and cat settle on the floor, where it can be use these chemicals. According to the allergen from bedding. If you cannot picked up by the vacuum. Do not Mayo Clinic, these chemicals worsen launder blankets, dry clean them once scatter dust. Instead, dust with a allergies in some people. It is wise to a year. Shampoo, steam clean or beat damp cloth rather than dry dusting. use non-chemical dust mite control non-washable carpets once a year. Spraying furniture polish/dusting measures around people with serious Select Appropriate Furnish- liquid directly on surface reduces allergies. ings—Avoid overstuffed furniture airborne particles by 93 percent com- Cleaning and non-toxic ap- because it collects dust. Also avoid pared with dry dusting. proaches listed above should give wool fabrics/rugs because wool sheds Air Purifiers—A researcher adequate control, except in humid, particles and is eaten by other insects. at the University of Texas-Austin tropical regions of the world. Use washable curtains and rugs found a HEPA air filter was much instead of wall-to-wall carpeting. If more effective at removing dust than FOR MORE you cannot replace carpeting, have ion-generating air purifiers which INFORMATION it steam cleaned at least once a year, make particles electrically charged to The following references contain springtime is best. This will prevent remove them from circulating air. For technical information on house dust a build up of dust mites feeding on more information on this research, mites: skin cells in the carpet during the check out: http://www.utexas.edu/ • Alexander, J, O. 1984. “Arthropods and human skin.” Berlin: Springer- summertime. Enclose mattresses opa/news/2005/09/engineering15. Verlag. 442 pp. and pillows in plastic to decrease html. • Bronswijk, J. H. , Van. 1981. “House mite populations in the bed. Replace The problem with ion-generat- dust biology, for allergists, acarolo- feather pillows with synthetic ones. ing air filters is they emit significant gists and mycologists.” Zeist, The amounts of ozone. Ozone irritates Netherlands: NIB Publishers, Box Dust Management 144, 3700 AC Zeist, The Nether- the lungs and can cause chest pain, lands. Eliminating dust from the en- coughing, shortness of breath and • Olkowski, W., S., Daar, and H. vironment is important in reducing throat irritation. According to the US Olkowski, 1991. “Common-Sense allergens in sensitive people. Environmental Protection Agency Pest Control.” The Taunton Press, Vacuuming—The most impor- (EPA), ozone may worsen chronic re- Newtown, CT.