DESCRIPTION
Both male and female adult house dust mites are globular in shape, creamy white and have a striated cuticle. The female measures approximately 420 micrometres in length and 320 micrometres in width. The male is approximately 420 micrometres long and 245 micrometres wide. A member of the phylum Arthropoda, post-larval stages of house dust mites have eight legs; larval stages have six legs.
The average life cycle for a male house dust mite is approximately 19-30 days while a mated female house dust mite can live for up to two months, laying eggs for the last 30 days of her life.
HABITAT
The dust mite thrives in the modern environment of fully-carpeted, double-glazed, draft-proof homes, and is comfortable at 25 degrees Celsius (75-80 degrees Farenheit) and 75% relative humidity. Temperatures of over 60 degrees Celsius (140 degrees Farenheit) for a period of one hour are fatal to dust mites. The mites are particularly common in mattresses, carpets and bedding.
The mite generally lives on shed human skin cells, which are pre-digested by the fungus Aspergillus repens. An average person sheds about 1.5 grams of skin a day (approximately 0.3-0.45 kg per year), which is enough to feed roughly a million dust mites. Further, dust mites in bedding derive moisture from human breathing, perspiration, and saliva.
ASTHMA
The house dust mite is one of the most significant source of allergens, implicated in allergic asthma, rhinitis, conjunctivitis and dermatitis. One of the more important proteins responsible for the allergic reaction is DerP1, a protease digestive enzyme found in mite feces.
Measures to control house dust mites:
- Vacuuming carpeted areas regularly, preferably with a HEPA filter-equipped vacuum cleaner
- Regular damp dusting of surfaces
- Replacement of carpets with vinyl flooring
- Covering of mattresses and pillows with impervious materials
- Daytime internment of children's plush toys in a freezer
- Use of chemicals to kill mites (acaricides)
- Use of fungicides to kill Aspergillus
- Use an FDA approved air filtration & cleaning system (especially with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA+ filtration))
- Reduce ambient humidity below 70% to inhibit growth of Aspergillus
Though these methods can help to reduce the level of house dust mites, attempts to eradicate homes completely have yet to be successful. Immunotherapy, in the form of injections of the allergen into patients, has been successful for some in much the same way that "allergy shots" have been helpful for sufferers of hayfever.
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Kleen Free Enzymes For Dust Mite Control
Spray Kleen Free on any surface in the home, including floors, carpets, bedding and any surface that will accept a water based product. Spray kitchen and bath counter tops for streak free cleaning. Follow directions on the bottle.
Kleen Free Naturally contains enzymes which are biodegradable and non-toxic. Pre-formed Enzymes are well suited for health care and food handling areas because they digest the host material where germs and dust mites and odor causing bacteria live and reproduce, thus eliminating the source and the bacteria.
Pre-formed enzymes are also extremely useful in safely controlling fungus, mold, mildew and insects. While preformed Kleen Free Naturally is not an EPA registered poisons, these non-toxic cleaners (to humans and pets) work better, quicker and safer than dangerous, synthetic pesticide poisons.
Kleen Free is highly concentrated for greater value, and is extremely effective at a 30 to 1 dilution in water.
ADDITIONAL TIPS FOR DUST MITE CONTROL
Dust mites can cause lots of health problems, and while there is no way to completely eliminate them, controlling them can reduce a person's risk of suffering from the health problems associated with an infestation of dust mites. This article is an overview of measures you can take to control the dust mite population in your home…
BEDDING While you sleep, dust mites are lurking in your bedding from your matresses to your sheets. There are serveral things that can be done to reduce the dust mites in your bedding. The simpliest solution is to wash bedding such as bedcovers, blankets and sheets once per week in hot water.
PILLOWS — For pillows, it is recommended that you replace feather and down pillows with ones that are have synthetic materials as a filling. Alternatively, you can your regular pillow covers with dust-proof zippered ones.
BLANKETS As stated before, washing blankets and other bedding once a week will help control dust mites in your bed. Also, replace wool blankets with cotton or nylon.
MATTRESSES One the more cost effective ways to control dust mites is to damp dust the plastic mattress cover on your bed. Alternative ways to prevent a dust mite infestation is to buy dust-proof zipped mattress covers. Research also shows that covering your mattress with fitted-sheets helps slow the accumulation of skin scales, this is a low-cost alternative to dust-proof mattress covers.
FLOORING/CARPETING Carpeting is another breeding ground for dust mites, but there is help. Vacuuming carpeting areas regularly helps control dust mite populations. It is also recommended that a vacuum equiped with a HEPA filter when vacuuming the carpet, because the filter will trap allergins. If possible, replace carpeting with vinyl flooring.
AIR Dust mites thrive in high humidity conditions, but this can be controlled through de-humidifiers and air conditioners. To remove dust mite allergin from the air, researchers suggest an air filitration system, but especially ones that use a HEPA filter.
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