Summer Brings Dust Mites – Here’s How to Fight Them

Summer is the season when dust mites multiply fast. They love warm, humid places like beds, carpets, and closets. While they may seem invisible and harmless, they can trigger serious allergies like asthma or eczema. Here’s what experts say you can do to manage them:

Types of Dust Mites in Your Home

• House Dust Mites (Chiridani): Very tiny, live in dust, feed on dead skin, hair, and food crumbs. Their droppings and dead bodies cause allergies.
• Biting Mites (Tsumedani): Rarer, live in bedding and carpets, bite humans and cause itching. They feed on other mites.

Each female mite lays up to 100 eggs, and their population grows very quickly. They love warm (20–30°C) and humid (60–80%) environments.

Main Point: Remove Mite Droppings & Dead Mites

You can’t kill all mites, but you can remove what causes allergies.

Expert Tips by Location

🛏️ 1. Beds & Futons

• Best solution: Wash the bedding! Use coin laundry or dry-cleaning.
• Can’t wash? Use a vacuum slowly (8 seconds per 1 meter).
• Use heat: A futon dryer at 50°C for 30+ minutes kills mites.
• Don’t hit the futon! It breaks mites into smaller allergenic particles.
• Use anti-mite covers under regular sheets.

🧶 2. Carpets & Rugs

• Vacuum regularly, especially entryways and walkways.
• For thick carpets, vacuum against the direction of fibers.
• Consider replacing with wood flooring for easier cleaning.
• Observe how fast dust builds up and adjust cleaning frequency.

🛋️ 3. Fabric Sofas

• Vacuum often. If possible, switch to synthetic leather sofas to avoid mites.

🧸 4. Stuffed Animals

• Wash them when possible. If not, consult a professional cleaner.
• Dry gently in the shade and keep clean.

Other Options

• Smoke-type mite foggers can kill mites, but clean up dead mites afterward.
• Be careful with pets and food when using these.

Humidity Control is Key

• Mites hate low humidity. Keep it under 50% with ventilation or dehumidifiers.
• Even in winter, aim for 50% humidity—low enough for mites but not too dry for viruses.

Final Thought

You can't remove all dust mites, but you can reduce allergens and avoid contact. Think: “It’s okay if some mites are there—as long as they don’t make me sick.”