If you are looking for how to get rid of clover mites, you may already find the problem in your home. The nasty creatures prefer to find warm and cozy homes to survive the cold weather. You may easily discover the numerous brown or reddish dots in your apartment. They are not dangerous to humans, but since they feed on plants, you have to watch carefully for your favorite indoor flowers.
This article teaches you how to get rid of clover mites naturally and using chemicals. You have to follow simple instructions. Before you do this, you need to make sure that you fight against clover mites and not any other pests.
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Recognize the signs of mites infestation at first;
Use boric acid and water;
Use insecticides in severe cases;
Vacuum the infested place;
Use vinegar and soap;
Get rid of mites outside the house by using duct tape;
Sprinkle the plants with talcum powder;
Prevent mites from your house.
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Guide to Clover Mites Infestation
You don’t need to call pest control immediately after realizing you have a clover mites house infestation. Moreover, you don’t need to panic at all. Once you find out that you have them in your house, you can learn how to kill clover mites.
What are clover mites?
If you want to know what kills clover mites, you have to understand what creature you are dealing with. These pests are arachnids of microscopic size that usually look like small dotes and are unnoticeable until you see dozens of them. They use their mouth to suck the nutrients from the cells of the plants. They can attack indoor and outdoor plants.
Signs of clover mites
You may start learning how to get rid of mites inside and outside your house by understanding that you really have them. They are extremely hard to catch since they are tiny. You need to know where and what to look for:
Search for the red-colored small dots around the plants or grass;
Check out the grass near the building’s foundation outdoors;
They can hide near windows, walls, and on tree trunks;
You may start searching the warm locations, like batteries and textiles. They can also crawl into crevices and cracks or live near vents;
Look for the red dots on your furniture, rugs, and fabric curtains in your house;
Check out under the leaves.
Сlover Mites How to Get Rid of Them Step by Step
Once you recognize the problem, you can start by treating clover mites. You have several options for getting rid of them. Yet, you can separate them into two main ones: natural and chemical. Both of them can be effective based on the particular situation. Let’s check out all of them.
How to get rid of clover mites inside
Boric acid. If you have an infestation at home, you can sprinkle this remedy around your furniture. You will find this acid in Borax or other laundry detergents. The mites will suck it and die. You will need to use a vacuum later;
Water. Sprinkle the plants with water every week. Mites will have to leave this place;
Insecticides. Use insecticides to get rid of the mites with Pyrid. You can mix it with water and apply it. You may also use dust on your rugs. It will dry out the mites;
Vacuum. Always use a vacuum cleaner if you have an infestation. You can use it even before you apply home remedies for clover mites, and of course, you need to vacuum the infested area after. Clean the vacuum afterward;
White vinegar. This is a natural remedy. You can create a spray for clover mites that contain vinegar and water. Apply it on the area, and the pests will be dehydrated;
Soap. Use insecticidal soap in places that are infected. This soap contains chemicals that kill pests; Wash pets. You have to wash your pet first since ticks can use it as a free taxi from the outside to the inside of the house.
How to get rid of clover mites outside
Watering. These creatures don’t like to be watered by the powerful hose since they can be simply washed away. It is better to repeat this procedure every week, and you will remove clover mites from your lawn;
Insecticide treatment. Since you are outdoors, you have more freedom to use insecticide. It can still be based on natural chemicals like chlorpyrifos. You can choose permethrin or cyfluthrin as sprays. It is better to apply them in the morning, so plants will not be scorched;
Put duct tape on the windows and near the door. It will capture pests that try to get inside. The tape must be double-sided and wide;
Sprinkle talcum powder on entrances. Talcum powder will stop the mites and reveal that you have the pests’ infestation;
Make a barrier around the perimeter of the house. You can make a barrier around your house to prevent ticks. To do it, clean the area of 24 inches around your house from any plants.
How to prevent clover mites
Preventive measures are simple:
Remove the turf up to 24 inches around the house so they would not crawl;
Close windows and doors;
Get rid of cracks in the walls;
Spray your plants with a hose.
FAQ
Here are the most popular questions about mites. Internet users frequently ask them. If you have something to add, do it in the comments.
How long do clover mites stay around?
Fortunately for you, they don’t stay for a long time at the house. They can infest your property from October to December. Yet, if they liked the atmosphere, they may settle down there. The situation may repeat from April to June.
Are clover mites harmful?
They are not harmful to humans since they don’t suck blood. Yet, they are harmful to your plants. Moreover, they can leave bloody traces around the house.
Do clover mites bite?
No, they don’t bite. They can suck only the nutrients from the plants. Still, it does not mean that you can keep them in your house. These insects spread really quickly and can damage your favorite plants, drying them out.
House Without Mites
Your house does not need these pests inside. They are harmless for people but feed on the plants you take care of. You don’t want to share your home with the creatures you did not ask to join you in the first place. You will see lots of useful recommendations above. Pick remedies you need the most and use them. You may start with those sprays and powders that contain natural ingredients.
Have you ever found mites in your house? How do you want to deal with them? Express your thoughts in the comments below.
Do you want to know how to get rid of spider mites? Several methods might help to forget about these pests. Spider mites are arachnids usually mistaken for insects, but they are more related to ticks and spiders, extra small, and hard to find. Some of their species can dwell indoors, while others outdoors.
You can find them in different color palettes, from red to green and brown. They are a huge problem for indoor and outdoor plants. However, you still can try getting rid of spider mites on plants if you know your options.
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Recognize these mites and depart them from other pests;
Use essential oils and natural methods as your first step;
Use alcohol;
Spray the mites with the water;
Use specific insecticidal oil and soap if you have severe infestation;
Buy pyrethroid pesticide for severe cases;
Try the neem tree oil.
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Guide to the Spider Mites Determination
If you are looking for the best way to get rid of spider mites, you have to make sure that these pests attack your plants and not something else. Treatment from these ticks is unique and may not be suitable for ants, for example. Once you’ve caught them or noticed the signs of their activities, you have to pick the most suitable remedy for your specific case.
What are spider mites?
Before you learn how to treat spider mites on plants, you need to check out whether you deal with the right pests. Spider mites are small and look like many other pests at first glance. They are related to spiders, ticks, scorpions, mites, and harvestmen. Their size is 1/25 or 1/60 based on the type, which is the size of the sugar grain. So, if you don’t have a sharp eye like an eagle, you will need a magnifying glass.
These insects are highly active during the summer and warm autumn days. They prefer to live in warm and dry climates. Mites easily crawl from one plant to another, feeding on it. Sometimes they can use people or animals to ride when they need to get to another plant. It is highly important to find them before they destroy your favorite plants.
What causes spider mites?
You may want to know how to get rid of spider mites indoors, but before that, you have to understand what attracts them to your house in the first place. Mites feed on plant moisture, which kills the plant but saves generations of pests from hunger. Although they don’t spread any disease and usually don’t cause any threat to the people, they can destroy the crop. They can appear from:
The new plant you’ve bought from the store;
The outdoors, where indoor plants spent the summer time;
The old soil that you use to repot the plant;
Veggies and fruits, or even flowers you’ve brought from the garden, can carry mites too;
The pests can be attracted to your house and crawl through the open window or door.
How To Identify Spider Mite Damage
Unfortunately, numerous pests and insects can leave similar traces. You need to make sure that these are the traces of spider mites get rid of which is your job. You may want to check out the places with a magnifying glass.
There are yellow or white specks on the plant’s leaves;
You notice the web on the houseplants that can be either on leaves or under them;
Leaves are starting to fall off;
If you take the paper plate and place it under the leaf you suspect has mites on it, gently tap it, and see the little specks on the plate falling down, you have the infestation.
Ways to Get Rid of Spider Mites (Naturally and Chemically)
There are several ways you can get rid of mites. Make sure that you pick the one that suits your case. If you have small children in the house, it is better to use a natural and eco-friendly approach without chemicals. If you have a severe infestation, you can use insecticide that will kill mites in no time.
Natural way
The first thing you can do is try the essential oils. If the infestation is not severe, you can get rid of plant mites using natural remedies. They are eco-friendly and can be used in the presence of children in the house. You will need an oil that is effective against eggs and adults. The most popular options are:
Spearmint;
Chamomile;
Rosemary;
Coriander.
Use these oils to make mite spray for plants. You will need several drops of oil and water. Mix it and apply it to the leaves. You can repeat the procedure several times. Neem oil has the same effect. It acts quickly. The smell of the oil suffocates spider mites. You will need to pick up their bodies after.
Alcohol
You can use a mixture of rubbing alcohol and water(1:4 cups) to get rid of the pests. Pour it into the spraying bottle and apply the mixture on the plat, from the stems to the flowers. This remedy kills mites by dehydrating their bodies. However, you have to make sure that your plant will not get burned by alcohol. Apply the mixture to one leaf and wait for several days. If nothing happens with it, you can spray the whole plant.
Pyrethroid pesticide
You may try pyrethroid pesticides mixed with chemicals. While pyrethrin is the natural derivative, mixed with the chemicals, it gets powerful. It is still considered a safe pesticide since it is taken from the chrysanthemum flower in its original form. This remedy is powerful.
How to Prevent Spider Mites
The best way to prevent spider mites is to watch closely for your plant. Some of them get mites after you bring them from the store or your yard where they spent summer. Mites don’t like to stay outdoors during the wintertime. This is why you need to check the pot with the plant in advance. You can do it while you are still outdoors.
Spray your plants with water from time to time to ensure no mites on the leaves. You can expect leaves with a magnifying glass at least once a week. Keep an eye on the general appearance of your plant, and ensure that it does not lose the leaves.
FAQ
Read these most popular questions online. I hope that my answers will help you. If you have something more to add, you can do it in the comments below.
Are any plants immune to spider mites?
Although there are plants that mites prefer to avoid, like peppers, chamomiles, or coriander, you can have a 100 percent guarantee. Mites can pick the plant to hide there from possible danger. No plants are resistant to these creatures.
What kills spider mites instantly?
Chemicals will kill spider mites instantly. Other remedies described above take some time to act. Yet, they start acting right when mites get in contact with them.
Can you completely get rid of spider mites?
Yes, you can get rid of this specific family of mites. However, you still may witness the new species appear after you bring back the plant from outdoors. You may find them on the new plant.
What causes spider mite infestation?
There are several reasons. Yet, the main one is the presence of plants that provide spider mites as a food source. If they don’t feel the danger inside, they will happily settle down there.
Healthy Plants Without Spider Mites
Without these terrible tiny creatures that suck the moisture from leaves, your plants will grow healthy and strong. Since there is no guarantee that any plant is safe, check out the plant’s health once a week. Make it your weekly routine and stick to it, especially if you prefer to leave the doors or windows open during the summer or even bring out your plant outdoors. If you have more recommendations, you can share your recipes in the comments.
Have you ever had a spider mite infestation? Did you use chemicals? Express your thoughts in the comments below.
What to do if you encounter ticks? Or wondering how to get rid of mites? You will learn about it in the guide I will gladly provide you. You will discover how to deal with them from real experts. I will tell you in detail what types of mites exist, as well as how to determine if a tick has wound up in your home and what it looks like. Choose the best way to get rid of mites!
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Get rid of old things you don’t need.
Clear the house of saws to prevent their occurrence.
Engage in high-temperature cleaning with the addition of chemical consumables.
Use covers for your bed and pillows.
Use an insecticide.
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Methods of Getting Rid of Mites or How to Prevent Them
There are many ways to get rid of ticks, as they are the most common creatures. They are also hard to see as they are tiny and can often be seen as soon as they start to hurt. Mites are harmless for humans, but some of them can lead to disease or cause allergic diseases.
Types of mites
Since there are many types of ticks, I will tell you how they differ from each other. To understand what methods there are for killing mites. The most famous of them:
Clover mites. This type of tick does not bite and does not carry any disease. By their name, you can understand that they feed on clover, herbs and fruit trees, and many more plants. They come in red, green, and brown, and their activity increases in the fall when they have nowhere to feed. And because of this, they can begin to sneak into your homes to survive the winter.
House dust mites. They are practically invisible since they are carried through the air, but this does not mean that they fly. They are the most common indoor allergens, and these cleats are widespread. If you think that you are allergic to dust, then you may be mistaken. It could be an allergy to house dust mites. They do not live on humans and feed on dead skin that falls from humans, pets, and dandruff. They are easiest to see on furniture and pillows but very hard to see on carpets or in public.
Itch mites. They prefer insects and are very rarely interested in people. However, sometimes they can bite people. It happens because you have been in contact with hay or grass, which is their home. They are also hard to see, and when they bite, you are unlikely to feel it. These mites leave red itchy marks on the body that look like a rash.
What do mites look like?
Ticks are very similar to spiders but are smaller in size and can be difficult to treat until you see them up close. They have 2 parts of the body, although when you look at them, it is not visible. It seems that they have a single body with 3 pairs of legs. Dust mites are difficult to see and identify, so if you have allergy symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, and itching during warm times, it may be the work of dust mites.
How do mites get in your house?
They can sneak into your home through small openings. Clover mites find a home with access to food, lawns, and orchards with fruit trees, which attract them first. When food runs out or it gets colder, they start looking for a new home to spend the winter there. Dust mites are always found inside houses. Unlike chiggers, they cling to a person or pets and, thus, make their way into houses.
A Step-by-step Guide to Getting Rid of Mites
For exterminating mites, you can use a lot of ways. The main thing is to understand which type of mites you are not worried about. And then, consider whether you should use mites repellent or try home mite treatment.
1. Clear dust
If you have dust mites, you need to get rid of the dust in your house, which is almost impossible. The most important thing is to brush your mattresses and pillows with dust-proof covers. It will prevent them from settling in their favorite place. To kill mites in the home, wash your laundry more often to protect yourself from them, and use the hottest water when washing. Try to clean the house from dust more carefully and use damp rags.
2. Protect your pets
Pets tolerate ticks very well, as they have a lot of fur, and ticks can hide there. Pests such as ear mites, as their name suggests, love places like the ears of dogs or cats. They do not often cling to people. You can use mite removal, buy a special pipette in any store and apply it to your pet to prevent ticks from getting into the ears of your pets. To isolate yourself from scabies mites, apply sulfuric lotion on yourself; it will scare away ticks with its pungent smell.
3. Make time for your vegetation
Red spider mites can be a big problem. Therefore, it is worth paying special attention to your garden or lawn. Those plants susceptible to infestation need to be cut off; pay attention to growing near your home. They multiply very quickly and; thus, you need to cut off the infected areas. They are easy to identify by the white spots on your cucumbers, peaches, etc. It can also lead to the destruction of your plants.
How to Prevent Mites?
If you have frequent problems with mites, and the means to combat them do not help, then be prepared to make changes in your home and stock up on money. To prevent them from appearing, replace carpets and try to avoid large amounts of fabric in your home, such as curtains and rugs. You can also replace your bedding with synthetic material. Or improve the filtration in your home by installing vents and trying to clean the dust in your home more often.
FAQ on Killing Mites
The information given in this guide will help you deal with ticks and understand what kind of mites hurt you. With it, you will understand what measures to apply in your case.
Does ammonia kill dust mites?
Ammonia can kill mites. Mix it with water and spray it into another room as it has a strong smell. Gradually move from room to room, carefully spraying the solution.
What do dust mites hate?
Ticks do not tolerate high temperatures, so you need to wash your bedding more often at hot temperatures and dry them in a dryer for about 15 minutes at a temperature of 50-55 degrees.
Can mites kill you?
Ticks cannot kill a person. All they can do is inconvenience you. They can cause your skin to become irritated or itchy. Also, some of them can carry diseases to humans; they cannot transmit them.
Will mites die on their own?
Ticks cannot breed on humans and will die on their own in a couple of days. But animals can carry ticks for a long period, which will bring them a lot of inconveniences, so they should be treated immediately since animals carry ticks differently from people.
How to Deal With Mites
I tried to tell you what ticks look like, what types of ticks exist, and where they live. I hope this guide helped you get rid of these pests or allowed you to learn more about ticks and what harm they can do to you.
Did my guide help you? And how do you deal with these pests? What methods were more efficient? Share your preferred methods in the comments.
What Do Mites Look Like? (CornellCALS) https://nysipm.cornell.edu/whats-bugging-you/mites/what-do-mites-look/
House Dust Mites (The University of Kentucky) https://entomology.ca.uky.edu/ef646
Ear Mites: Tiny Critters that can Pose a Major Threat (CornellCALS) https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/ear-mites-tiny-critters-can-pose-major-threat
In this guide, I will try to tell you how to get rid of chicken mites on humans, what needs to be done, and how they look. Ticks can bring a lot of discomfort to your life. I will tell you why you should not be afraid of them and teach you how to kill chicken mites.
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1. Keep your henhouse clean. 2. Take a shower and use soap carefully. 3. Wash clothes and linens in warm soapy water. 4. Use garlic spray or mite spray to eliminate insects. 5. Use diatomaceous earth in the coop to kill pests.
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A Guide on Fowl Mites on Humans And How to Prevent Them
These are the pests that live on the skin of different birds, can also make their way into houses, and bring inconvenience to humans. Although they do not require human blood to survive, they are not parasites on humans. Find everything you need to know about these pests in this guide.
What are chicken mites?
Chicken mites are very hard to spot as they are tiny. Their usual size is less than 1mm. It is distinguished by a white or grayish round body, 8 legs, and a hairy back. They can change color to red when they are fed. And they feed on the blood of a bird at night; in the daytime, they hide in the crevices of poultry houses or under clods of dirt to get profit at night.
What type of mites infests backyard chickens?
Only 2 types of mites can cause serious problems for your chicken plots. Northern bird and chicken mites are otherwise different, though similar in size. They cause a lot of stress in chickens and can infect them with anemia, especially if several ticks bite them at once. However, if they bite people, they will not infect them. Unlike chicken ticks, northern ticks are constantly on chicken feathers, which makes them blacken from boiled blood. Therefore, you should not be afraid of mites from chickens on humans.
Where do mites come from?
They prefer a warm climate and are more active in early summer. These pests are often seen throughout the United States. They are descended from chickens and pigeons and try to live near bird nests. Without bird blood, they cannot live for a couple of weeks, but some manage to live longer.
Can chicken mites live on humans?
They can get into a person’s clothes, bite you, and cause an allergic reaction, but they won’t be able to live on you since human blood is not suitable for them to survive. Without a master, they will not live even for a couple of days.
What does a mite bite look like on a human?
Common signs of chicken mites bites on humans are small bumps on the skin or red spots, and you may also feel like you’re getting little goosebumps or a slight sting when it bites you. It can also give you a rash on the parts of your body where the tick bites you. They can get on you even if you have frequent contact with birds, so pay special attention to your chickens. If you see any evidence of ticks, act quickly.
How do you treat chicken mites bites?
Tick bites can be easily confused with other insects, so if you find it difficult to determine what bitten you, you can contact your doctor. But if you are sure that a mite has bitten you, then you need to get rid of them on your body. Take a shower using soap or shampoo. Wash the whole body with soap in warm water thoroughly, and most importantly, the hair, since this can be a good shelter for them. These actions will also help you get rid of severe itching.
How can you prevent mites infestation on humans?
Isolate your birds from these pests. But all of a sudden, if ticks are already in your chicken coop, you should treat chicken mites. Use diatomaceous earth, absorbent, or Pestene for it. Treat fowls with the necessary substances, and even better if this is done a couple of times.
How do I get rid of chicken mites in my house?
To get rid of mites in your home, spray every room with a tick spray and leave them for a couple of hours. The main thing is that there would be no one in the rooms since these sprays do not always have natural ingredients. In the same way, you can use garlic juice.
How to get rid of chicken mites in your flock?
Observe the necessary biosecurity and monitor the conditions of the birds. Thus, try to prevent the appearance of ticks. But still, if they are introduced into your herd, you no longer need to wonder how to kill chicken mites since I have listed ways to deal with them.
FAQ About Preventing Mites
How to deal with ticks if they bring inconvenience to you or your birds? I have provided you with useful tips on preventing their appearance and eliminating them. I will also try to answer many questions below.
How long do chicken mites live on humans?
Since their entire life cycle takes place on the host and they live for about a couple of weeks, they will live on a person for no more than a couple of days since human blood is not suitable for survival.
What kills chicken mites on contact?
Powder such as garden dust will help you get rid of pests in an instant. This is the most popular product for treating your pet birds if they are infected with mites.
Can chicken mites live on dogs?
They cannot live on dogs because their blood is just as unsuitable for them as human blood, they can only extend their life cycle on birds, so they do not touch people and dogs.
Can mites kill chickens?
They can lead your fowl to death, as they feed on all its parts, drink blood, and eat its skin. First, this will lead to a sharp deterioration in the bird’s health or weight loss, then death. So spraying chickens for mites is one of the first things to prevent your fowls’ death.
Methods to Prevent Ticks and Get Rid of Them
What to do if you see ticks on your birds? I told you about this in detail in my guide above, everything that needs to be done to get rid of nasty pests.
How often do you encounter chicken mites? Which method did you like the most? Tell me about it in the comments.
If you are wondering how to get rid of red mites, read this detailed guide. Here I will tell you what to do if you see that your plants look sluggish or their leaves are bitten. You will also learn which methods can be used for killing red mites and in which cases it is necessary to apply them. Find out which harm they can bring to your garden or balcony and how they appear on your site.
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1. Use alcohol on the leaves. 2. Apply soap spray to kill them. 3. Use an organic neem oil solution. 4. Apply a rosemary extract spray. 5. Use predatory insects to control red spiders. 6. Prepare vinegar spray and use it on the leaves. [/wpsm_titlebox]
Red Mite Infestation 101
Where do red mites come from? Which ways can I use to deal with them? I often read such questions on my blog. If you are interested in the answers, in this guide, you will learn a lot of useful and interesting information that will help you kill them, as well as prevent them from appearing on your site. There are many great ways to do this, and I will tell you about them in detail.
What are red mites?
Red spider mites look like little red dots that move under plant leaves. If you see a red bug on a plant, it might mean that the plant is infected with a red tick. These pests are hard to notice since they are quite small. You can most often see a female, as it is 4mm in length. If you compare it with males, they are even smaller in the female’s background. Red mite plants’ location can only be identified if the infestation is extensive, so it is easier to spot them by the web under your plants.
Where do red mites come from?
Almost always, red mites that infect your vegetation at home or in the garden are born in the same place. Although they live for about one month, they are born on the plant and live on it all their lives. Ticks can also spread with the help of humans and animals: If they pass by an infested plant, there is a high probability that they will enter the yard or even the house.
You also risk facing an infestation if you take an infested plant or soil on your territory. This way, you can bring red mites into your greenhouse or vegetable garden. This is the answer for those wondering “Where do red mites come from?”
Signs of a red mite infestation
The first thing you can see are small pale spots that become dull green over time. The more the infection progresses, the more leaves can take on a shade of white or yellow. Many people think that this is a lack of minerals, so they do not pay much attention to this factor. However, if you look closely under the leaf or use a magnifying glass for better visibility, you might see small red ticks or spherical eggs there.
If there are a lot of pests on your plant, you will also be able to see a thin cobweb on the leaves, and it might also connect to the stem. The main thing is to check the leaves carefully as they are small and hard to see, and it is necessary to start treating red spiders as soon as you see the aforementioned signs of infestation.
Are red ticks dangerous?
Red spider mites cannot harm humans. They can only destroy your plants in the garden or at home. These pests cannot live on a person since they need vegetation to survive. Without it, they will not endure long. They live on plants and gradually move from one plant to another.
They can bite humans, but this is quite rare and requires you to directly contact infected vegetation. You will hardly feel their bites, but pests can cause a skin infection. You might confuse their bite with a pimple as it looks like a small red spot on the skin. If there are a lot of bites, this can cause itching. However, they bite quite rarely, so this itch does not always appear. Control of red spider mites is important for your plants because it can help them to survive.
How to get rid of red mites?
There are various popular methods for treating red mites. I recommend rubbing alcohol as an effective option to help you get rid of them.
Step 1: Use rubbing alcohol
To do this, you need to treat the infected areas with 70% alcohol. It will quickly kill red mites. The same method works if you apply a spray to the leaves.
Step 2: Preparation of the vinegar mixture
You can also use vinegar to fight these pests as this acidic substance can help you drive them away from plants. To do this, you can wipe the leaves with a soft cloth soaked in the mixture of vinegar and soda. This will repel these pests.
Step 3: Make a neem oil spray
Neem oil can also help you get rid of these pests on your plant as it contains a natural pesticide that is quite effective against them. To make this spray, you need to pour water into the spray bottle and mix it with neem oil.
Treatment for red mites
A red spider mite is often confused with a red mite on chickens since they have a similar lifestyle. The main difference is that one species lives on plants, and the second prefers birds. To treat red spider mites, you can use water without minerals and spray it on the leaves of the plant. This will make them disappear. Rainwater is great for this.
If the infestation is minor, a usual damp cloth will suffice. All you have to do is wipe the leaves on both sides. You can also spray the plant to scare them away.
How to prevent red ticks
Preventing the appearance of a red tick is much easier than getting rid of them. To do this, you need to care for your vegetation properly. It is very important to grow plants in optimum conditions:
Keep the soil moist;
Wipe the leaves regularly with a damp cloth; this will keep plants safe and prevent red mites from appearing;
Carefully check each new plant for signs of mite infestation. If you see silk threads, this is the first sign that you have a red spider mite;
Keep plants away from strong heat sources to prevent mites from quickly multiplying on the leaves.
After you follow these recommendations, you don’t have to think about how to kill red spider mites. The ways above will help you prevent them.
FAQ on Red Spider Mite Removal
I’ve collected all the information in this guide to help you learn more about red spider mites, as well as prevent them from appearing. I have explained which methods you can use to deal with them. Now, I will answer some typical questions below.
Are red spider mites harmful to plants?
Red mite infestation causes whitening and yellowing of the leaves. The leaves consequently dry up and fall off. If you do not take care of your plants and do not fight mites, your vegetation risks dying.
How to get rid of red spider mites on the patio?
To get rid of them, you can use soap or oil as they also contain pesticides. You need to use a sprayer to apply them to the plants. It will help you get rid of mites.
Are red spider mites poisonous?
They are harmless to humans and animals and cannot harm food. All they do is spoil the plants you have on your property. They can also bite but it is not dangerous to your health.
Eliminate Red Spider Mites
I hope you have found the information you need in this guide. It can help you deal with red mites. Use protective measures to deal with these pests and take care of your garden or houseplants.
Was the guide helpful to you? Which methods have you already used to eliminate red mites? Tell us about your ways of fighting with ticks in the comments.
Dust mites on your bed can cause discomfort during sleep and contribute to allergies. Microscopic arthropods feed on dead skin, which we shed during sleep. That’s why our pillows, duvets, and sheets may contain dust mites.
You can get rid of them with a dust mite proof bedding, which covers the bed and prevents pests from reproducing. It is essential to use the best dust mite covers if you have pets and children to protect them from allergies, rashes, and bad sleep due to pests in bed.
You don’t need to wash the bed linen in the whole house every day to keep it clean. There are special anti-dust mite mattress covers for this. The description of these products will help you choose a quality and efficient cover.
1. Plush Deluxe – One of the Best Allergy Mattress Cover
American company Plush Deluxe produces hypoallergenic bed linen from natural cotton. Allergen-free bedding is very soft and comfortable for everyday sleep. This brand’s mattress cover is produced in several sizes, so it is convenient to choose the right model for your bed or sofa.
The terry cloth excludes the formation of dust mites. The waterproof surface protects soaking and dampness. Only natural cotton is included in this bed linen, due to which the skin remains dry during sleep. If necessary, this dust mite mattress protector can be washed and used again against dust mites.
Pros:
Cons:
manufactured from 100% cotton;
convenient fixation on any size mattress;
hypoallergenic;
remarkable softness and waterproofness.
the white color is less practical.
2. National Allergy 300 – Best Premium Pick for Protection Against Dust Mites
National Allergy 300 is one of the best mattress covers for dust mites of the premium segment. The company produces bed linen in the U.S. using natural materials. This durable cotton cover is put on the mattress and protects people from dust mites and other allergens. This model has a very comfortable fixation with a zipper. All in one minute, you can put the mattress cover on the bed without folds and irregularities.
The allergy mattress protector has a very dense soft fabric with pores of 3.44 microns. This is a natural barrier to pests that interfere with sleep and cause skin redness or allergies in adults and children. If necessary, you can wash the mattress cover in the washing machine. I like that the material does not deteriorate even after extensive use. Also, the zipper is made of stainless steel.
Pros:
Cons:
soft natural cotton.
high density of 300 threads.
3.44 microns micropores to prevent dust mites from entering.
For complete protection against dust mites, I recommend using not only a dust mite mattress cover but also a pillowcase. The Linenspa company has been producing bed linen for many years. In this company’s assortment, there are universal pillow covers made of polyester, which protect the pillows from the penetration of liquids and dirt.
Due to the thread’s high density and too small pores, dust mites cannot get through the cover from a feather or synthetic pillow. Despite the artificial fabric, the material is soft and pleasant to the touch. The pillowcases from Linenspa do not cause allergies. And they are also very practical in everyday use, as you can wash them by hand or in the washing machine.
Eco Living Friendly Evolon pillowcase features a very dense thread and micropores of 1 micron. This product provides 100% protection from dust mites due to special German production technology, as pests can not penetrate through its pores. Though the manufacturer didn’t use synthetics for this dust mite proof bedding, only the cotton material, it does not absorb moisture and dries out very quickly.
Even if you sweat a lot at night, it will not cause any discomfort during sleep, because the hypoallergenic pillowcase is always dry and soft. Before the first use, you should wash the bed linen and dry it to make the cotton material soft. During production, the fabric is not treated with chemicals or PVC.
TRU Lite Proof Covers is designed to protect the bed from dust mites and allergens. During the whole sleep, the case’s surface will be dry and clean due to the special fabric with cotton backing. The soft cotton is very pleasant to the touch, and you will not hear rustles during your sleep.
During the hot season, the material of this cover will not heat up and will remain cool. Due to the waterproof feature, sweat and dust do not penetrate through the cover. Even accidentally spilled morning coffee on the bed will not spoil the mattress. The hypoallergenic base prevents dust mites from developing. Many people choose this bed case due to its affordable price and practicality.
Pros:
Cons:
affordable price;
soft microfiber;
the fabric does not make a rustle or wrinkle;
good protection against dust mites and other allergens.
it is inconvenient to put it on the bed.
6. HOSPITOLOGY PRODUCTS – Anti Allergic Mattress Protector
HOSPITOLOGY PRODUCTS hypoallergenic mattress cover is easy to use. It has a zipper, with which you can put a protective cover on your mattress in just one minute. But this mattress protector is made of polyester. This makes the cover more practical, as it is easy to wash and dries quickly. However, polyester is less soft than natural cotton. It is essential to consider this before buying.
The mattress protectors against dust mites from this brand are made in the USA. They are suitable for mattresses from 12 to 18 inches deep. The manufacturer also provides a warranty for products for 5 years from the date of purchase.
Pros:
Cons:
availability of zipper for easy putting on the mattress.
breathable membrane.
waterproof.
it is made of polyester.
How to Choose the Best Protection Against Dust Mites
An allergy to dust mites can torture us every night. What should we do then? Wash the bed linen every morning? No! There are special dust mite proof mattress covers for this. For these covers to improve sleep and eliminate allergies, you must make the right choice and learn more about hypoallergenic bed linen.
Covers against dust mites are waterproof and made of cotton or polyester. Due to micropores of several microns, dust mites and other allergens do not get from pillows and mattresses to humans. You will be completely protected from dirt. Dust mite covers do not absorb sweat and stay dry all the time.
Even if you spill some liquid on the surface, the bedding will remain dry. You can use hypoallergenic bed linen not only to protect against dust but also to improve sleep comfort and practicality.
This is necessary because, during sleep, a person drops dead skin. Dust mites feed on this dead skin, causing irritations and allergic reactions to the skin. Microscopic arthropods live in mattresses and pillows, getting out at night.
This sounds nasty, and to protect themselves from dust mites, you need to use a special waterproof, hypoallergenic cover through which microscopic mites can not penetrate.
How do dust mite covers work
A special feature of dust mite proof fabric is its microscopic pores, which are much smaller than in ordinary cotton or polyester. Pores in hypoallergenic covers can be 1-3 microns in size, much smaller than the size of dust mites. This means that neither mites nor bed bugs will penetrate from a mattress or pillow to human skin, causing an allergic reaction.
How to choose the best dust mite cover
These dust mite cover reviews of the best products will help you make the right choice. It is also important to know some features about materials, comfort, and practicality before buying.
Material
When choosing the material, consider that cotton is softer and more comfortable. Polyester is harder but more practical in everyday use. If you are strongly allergic to dust, it is better to give preference to polyester covers, as this material dries very quickly after washing and is 100% hypoallergenic.
Comfort
Previously, the mattress covers against dust mites were rigid. Now they do not make any rustles and are very soft. Always choose the exact size according to the mattress on your bed or pillow. Choosing the wrong size will make the bed linen very comfortable.
When choosing, take into account the density of the material. Some manufacturers specify the size of the microporous fabric in microns. To protect against dust mites reliably, this value should be 1-3.5 microns.
Please note that cheaper and lower quality mattress covers against dust mites are very hot in summer. They are waterproof, so the fabric does not provide even air ventilation. The most heated is hypoallergenic polyester bed linen. Choose those covers where the manufacturer indicated the breathability or other technologies that provide the fabric’s thermal comfort.
Practicality
Pillow covers and mattress covers are most comfortable to wear with a zipper or other locks. When making your choice, be sure to have a zipper or other fasteners on your bedding. Otherwise, the covers will constantly crawl and cause discomfort during sleep, and the bed will be a mess.
FAQ
In this section, I share the answers to the most common questions that will help you choose the best allergy mattress cover and pillowcase.
Do dust mite cover work?
Yes, hypoallergenic covers are effective. In conventional cotton fabrics, pores are larger than 4-5 microns in size. And in hypoallergenic waterproof fabric, pores are much smaller, about 1-3 microns. Due to this, dust mites can not penetrate from the mattress or pillow filler on a person through special bedding.
Also, hypoallergenic covers are easy to wash. They are made of the material that does not cause any allergic reactions, which have been proved by dermatologists.
How to wash dust mite covers?
You do not need to use special detergents for washing covers against dust covers. Use a regular detergent for hand or machine washing of bed linen. Due to waterproofing, the material dries very quickly. Some polyester or cotton covers need to be washed before the first use to soften the fabric.
Manufacturers usually do not limit the water’s temperature and the number of turns of the washing machine when wringing dust mite covers.
How often to change dust mite covers?
Dust mite covers are durable bed linen, which serves up to 10 years without the need for replacement. The strong base retains the shape and structure of the material, due to which even after a few years of use, the covers do not become more rigid. You can only break the zipper to fix it, but it can be repaired or replaced.
Take Care of Your Sleep with Dust Mite Covers
Dust covers are necessary for everyone who is allergic to dust and wants to make their sleep more comfortable. The most positive references are hypoallergenic bed linen from Plush Deluxe, National Allergy, and Linenspa. I recommend buying mattress covers and pillowcases of these brands to protect oneself from dust mites. I am happy with the dustproof bed linen I got, so I can recommend it to you as well.
Have you already tried hypoallergenic bed covers? How do you get rid of dust and dirt on your mattress and pillows? Share your experience in the comments, please.
References:
Dust mite allergies: Overview (National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine): https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK447098/
Environmental assessment and exposure control of dust mites: a practice parameter (US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health): https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5156485/
House Dust Mites (by Michael F. Potter, Extension Entomologist University of Kentucky College of Agriculture Dust MiteDust Mite): https://entomology.ca.uky.edu/ef646
What we don’t see often slips through our attention. You always notice a cat or a dog in your house. If a bird flies in, you’re sure to notice it too. And raccoons are so noticeable they may be a disaster. But little things can do just as much harm; we’re speaking about dust mites.
Up to 0.5 mm in length, they dwell in our home dust and contact us every day. And it’s not that every vacuum can get rid of them. You need a special model that extracts them from your furniture and bedsheets.
Dust mites don’t bite, so they seem harmless. In fact, by their fecal products, they can cause severe allergic reactions that result in rhinitis, dermatitis, asthma, and other unhealthy symptoms – or aggravate them. It is recommended to keep the patients from contact with dust mites. The cause in these situations is in your bed and other furniture infested with these little villains. The best solution is to vacuum mattress dust mites out of your life.
Selecting the best dust mite vacuum is not just about value for the money. It’s also about making your life healthier and your sleep better. Acquiring the habit of vacuuming the bed frequently will result in higher life quality.
It takes a special weapon to fight this battle. Dust mite vacuums are not the sort of regular ones you use to clean your house floors. If you are progressive enough to own a robotic vacuum, it’s of even less use versus mites.
What you need is a handheld dust mite vacuum. These models are lightweight yet powerful and optimized for cleaning mattresses and bedsheets. Not that they can replace a machine wash for sheets (you need both). But sucking out that dust removes the products of dust mites as well, so the air gets more breathable in your bedroom.
An extra feature required from these is a built-in UV lamp that eliminates bacteria. Not that it has something to do with mites, but it definitely prevents forming biomes you don’t want within your furniture. Like regular vacuum cleaners, these models also have removable bags and replaceable, sometimes washable filters. These filters can be bought right with the cleaner itself, and the bags may have various (though rather small) capacity. It would be great to cut the cord, but a cleaner would require a very strong and heavy battery – so even the best vacuum cleaner for dust mites can’t get wireless the way robotic vacuums are.
Here I offer you dust mite vacuum cleaner reviews. They are mostly similar in features – so, describing a particular characteristic once, I will only mention it later. For example, all of them feature UV-C lamps – the sort of ultraviolet lamps that produce ultraviolet light with wavelengths between 200 – 280 nm (as a rule, it’s 253.7 nm).
This emanation is considered the best for exterminating these little creeps (and viruses as well, so you know now what UV sanitizer to select). Also, all of them are corded; if you want another sort of vacuums that have an onboard battery and can be taken far from the socket, there’ll be more on that.
Back to the vacuums, here is the list of the five vacuum cleaners that will get you rid of dust mites. Just don’t forget it’s not enough to have a cleaner: it also has to be used. So when purchasing one, think about the special stand and purchase it as well if offered. With it, you’ll benefit from the vacuum more.
1. Housmile Mattress Vacuum Cleaner: The Best Dust Mite Vacuum Around
Housmile is a well-known manufacturer of household electronics, specializing in modern devices for some specific needs that traditional home device makers leave unnoticed. Though Housmile devices are actually manufactured in China, the manufacturer offers decent support all over the U.S. The quality of these devices is also remarkable. It is necessary, because often a cleaner may not function or get broken soon. If so, you can file for a replacement.
As for this model, it looks like a big, flattened iron, with a similar handle. Its weight is just 4.5 lbs, so you don’t have to be a powerlifter to handle it. Using it also reminds ironing: you just drag it up on the surface of the furniture you want to clean up. Its powerful rotating brush raises the dust mites from the inside, and powerful suction attracts them.
Not only are the mites removed this way, but also the microscopic particles of human dead skin they’re feeding off. That’s how the anti-allergy vacuum cleaner effect is achieved. Last but not least: it has a drier feature that removes moisture as the environment for mites and bacteria to live and multiply.
There are also minor things about this cleaner that build-up to its usability. For example, the brush will automatically turn off if the sensor detects there’s no object within four inches from it. The power of suction is adjustable, so you can select saving more for regular cleaning (or to avoid hot air blowing in your face).
Pros:
Cons:
Good cleaning features;
A built-in dryer;
Adjustable suction power;
Great balance of price and features;
Great looks.
Doesn’t protect your face from the blowing air;
2. Vacplus Handheld Vacuum with Powerful Suction: The Best Dust Mite Vacuum with UV Light for the Money
Package Dimensions LxWxH: 14.7 x 11.6 x 6.4 inches
It seems that Vacplus is another importer that gets its devices at some unnamed Chinese factory; at least, I didn’t manage to find its official site, and its Facebook page is half dead. Nevertheless, the prices and massive presence of the products on Amazon do their work, and the devices are quite attractive to take a look at.
It’s a corded device that remains the intake port of a regular vacuum cleaner. In fact, this body houses all the functional parts, except for the battery (though I should have warned you that all these dust mite UV vacuum cleaner reviews are of corded devices). It is suitable for cleaning beds and bedsheets, carpets and curtains, and any fabric surfaces.
According to the advertisement, it should be very efficient against dust mites, with 8 kHz vibration motor (e.g., the one by Housmile only boasts of 6 KHz). In fact, higher frequency doesn’t mean more power. On the contrary: it’s bass and drums that shake the dancefloor.
As for the design, it’s as futuristic and white that it could have been used by WALL-E. Inside, you will find buckets of larger capacity, letting you process more at one time. Its UV lamp is well hidden, unnoticeable even while working. The downside is that it takes some pressure to activate the UV, and on softer beds or mattresses, it turns out impossible.
Pros:
Cons:
Great design for hand cleaning;
Larger buckets;
Lightweight;
Extra filters included;
Affordable price.
UV may fail on excessively soft surfaces;
The vendor is almost unknown.
3. RAYCOP LITE UV Sanitizing HEPA Allergen Vacuum: The Best Premium Pick
Included Components: Vacuum, HEPA Filter, Dust Box Filter
Power Source: Corded Electric
Wattage: 330 watts
Controller Type: Hand Control
Item Dimensions LxWxH: 11 x 14 x 6 inches
Item Weight: 4.29 Pounds
Raycop is obviously another Asian venture, though Japanese, unlike Chinese rivals (according to reports on its site, provided by Institute of Tokyo Environmental Allergy and addressed to Raycop Japan Inc.) Anyway, at least it’s represented in the U.S. and has an official site. Avoiding mentioning its origins, it instead lets its visitors place orders and gives instructions on correct usage.
Probably, that’s also the reason why even the model named Lite is quite expensive. That’s Japan now: more than others offer for more than others want, more of everything. Except for dust mites, of course: there’ll be much, much less of them.
Even the Lite version of its dust mite vacuum with UV light is quite functional. It’s easy to handle and to carry, with its weight being about 4 lbs. The design is futuristic, white, and streamlined, with UV leaking from beneath, contributing to the feel. Cleaning your beds, armchairs, and bedsheets with it feels like something from a sci-fi movie.
Its vibration motor works at a relatively low frequency of 3.3 kHz, but, as I’ve said before, it’s not that bad at all. On the contrary, the UV module is especially powerful and does the work of destroying bacteria, viruses, dust mites, and other living dangers very efficiently. The manufacturer advertises it as “hospital quality”, meaning professional grade of eliminating biohazards.
Of course, it has replaceable filters and a washable dustbin. But it would be strange to skip that in a device for almost $200. The HEPA filters are double here, letting very few particles of dust back into the air.
Certainly, the item is not just for dust removal. It removes 80% of the dust in 5 minutes of processing. When it comes to bacteria, viruses, or mites extermination, the device is way more efficient, removing 99.9% of them in 10 seconds. The manufacturer also highlights its ability to remove pollen, though the process is also way longer and rather similar to dust removal. Like the previous one by Housmile, this can be the best vacuum for dust allergies if accompanied by a regular vacuum cleaner or a robotic one.
Pros:
Cons:
Advanced UV features;
Easy to carry and handle;
Removes pollen as well;
Lots of research behind products;
Great design.
Very expensive;
Consumes a considerable amount of energy;
Suction power is mediocre.
4. Housmile 804 Anti Dust Mites UV Vacuum Cleaner: One of Top Rated HEPA Vacuum Cleaners
No products found.
Here comes a device by Housmile again, but this one is positioned a bit aside. Taking into account its price and features, it’s quite a premium product for the class. Given that it’s primarily a mite exterminator, it looks even more premium.
Still, it’s the device to choose if anyone in your household is suffering from dust mites. This defines its characteristics: along with its suction features, the device has a powerful built-in UV lamp and a heater that heats the air up to 55℃: a deadly value for most creatures living in your bed, except you.
The item may fail at removing the dust completely, though it still does a decent job with its 3.8 kHz vibration motor. After misplacing particles of dust, it sucks them in with powerful double suction. The air gets purified through replaceable HEPA filters and special carbon-based ones that provide two-stage purification.
In terms of design, it follows the same futuristic style as the one by Vacplus. If you have your household full of stylish smart devices like Apple HomePod, Google Nest, or Wyze locks and lamps, this one will perfectly fit. If you’re searching for your device among top rated HEPA vacuum cleaners, this is the item to consider.
The device is the most lightweight among all these reviewed here. At 2.81 lbs, it could have been a little heavier with an added battery to cut the cord. Still, the manufacturer preferred not to sacrifice the power to comfort. With its powerful UV and air filters, it may be the best vacuum for dust mite allergies prevention.
No way can this device be called the most powerful by Housmile, given that other options have stronger vibration motors and suction. Still, its comfort and premium looks will motivate you to use the tool more often on your beds, sofas, bedsheets, curtains, and the places the dust mites may dwell. Of course, it’s better to combine it with using your regular or robotic vacuum.
Pros:
Cons:
Powerful vibration and suction;
Great UV lamp;
Super lightweight;
Carbon air filtration;
Premium design.
Its primary feature is to extinguish mites, not dust;
It’s quite pricey.
5. Dibea UV-10 Bed Vacuum Cleaner: Just the Anti-Mite Vacuum with HEPA filter
Well, Dibea is a Chinese manufacturer, but at least not an unnamed one. Dibea has operated since 2007 and has a serious roster of products, including robotic vacuums, cordless models, and the likes of the one I offer to review. To eliminate the living allergenic factors, the device has a 20-cm replaceable UV lamp that kills most bacteria and viruses in less than 5 seconds. Then come the vibration motors that shake the dust and make it movable. Finally, the suction absorbs them, and after air filtration, the dust and the dead mites and bacteria fall into the dustbin.
Its weight is 4.1 lbs: not the most lightweight one around. But it houses powerful vibration motors, an even more powerful (for its class) UV lamp that kills microorganisms, and a double air purifying system. It’s a vacuum with HEPA filter that purifies the air in six stages. That results in a high percentage of particles removed: up to 99.9%. Replacement filters are available in the official Dibea store. Alas, they are not washable.
The price of this device is rather affordable. Being not the cheapest around, it’s offered for about $70. If you want a sanitizing vacuum cleaner but are not ready to pay for visual masterpieces by Raycop, you will be quite good with this one.
Still, there are some drawbacks caused by its Chinese origin that may result in a real problem. The grossest of them is the manual: it’s written in such clumsy English that it may get you misled sometimes. Better watch videos with instructions if you can. The second issue is with service: due to sophisticated logistics, it may take you long to get your replacement filters or a lamp.
Pros:
Cons:
Easy to handle and carry;
Good removal quality;
Decent UV;
Reasonable price.
Non-washable filters;
The manual is hard to comprehend.
Buyer’s Guide on Handheld Dust Mite Vacuum Cleaners
Before you select your own hypoallergenic vacuum against dust mites, let’s get things clear. First: you do need to fight these little insects because they do live in your household. Second: if you don’t feel their impact now, you may feel it when it’s gone. Third: even the most expensive handheld vacuum can save you more than it costs if it comes to real medical issues.
Some may wonder if it’s better to select a cordless vacuum with an onboard battery. It may be the best choice for your car or for traveling if you still want to make sure the places you stay at are mite-free. For your own household, though, corded devices are preferable because they offer more powerful suction and vibration, thus making the cleaning more efficient. Anyway, you can always use an extension cord. There will be no problem with voltage: if the device is certified in the U.S., it will work with local grids.
Too small to be noticed with a naked eye, less than 0.5 mm long, dust mites live in that regular dust you always have at home. They don’t need any extra food: they consume the proteins you drop when the particles of your skin die off to be replaced with new ones. It’s enough for them to feel well and produce new generations. It takes them to live just one centimeter deep in your mattresses or piled clothes to remain unnoticed.
As they defecate, they spread agents that irritate human skin. You may notice none of that if you’re a healthy adult. But children or allergic persons take this threat much more seriously. In addition, they can provoke or aggravate asthma, dermatitis, rhinitis, and other diseases.
Even if you are not an allergic person, the simple knowledge of these little human flesh eaters inside your bed can deprive you of some hours of good sleep. Especially if you have an enviably vivid imagination. Simply knowing they are there may ruin your sleep quality.
Last but not least: it doesn’t take them long to multiply. A mite lives up to 90 days, and a female lays up to 60 eggs, usually in mattresses, beds, bedsheets, carpets, and other soft-surface stuff. So even if you have almost eliminated them and relaxed after, it will not take them long to strike back. To strike your back, literally. The feeling you’d better prevent.
How does a dust mite vacuum work?
Given that mites live softwhere, a dust mite cleaner must kill and extract them from these environments. With the special sort of UV lamp (UV-C), it kills most living creatures in seconds. With vibration, the device displaces the particles of dust and the bodies of these mites (and other creatures) as well.
Finally, the suction absorbs the dirty air and filters it, letting it out cleaned and storing the dust in the bin. Then you only have to empty the dustbin somewhere away from your home.
As you see, it’s quite different from a regular vacuum. That’s why an anti-mite vacuum cleaner and a regular one cannot replace each other. To keep your household clean, you need both. When you read about vacuums being ineffective against mites, notice that the research doesn’t even mention UV-C vacuum cleaners at all. With them, everything is different.
How to get rid of dust mites with a vacuum cleaner
Do the regular cleaning with your regular or robotic vacuum to ensure the floor is clean. The more you practice it, the easier it will be each next time.
Take the special cleaner for soft fabric surfaces. You may opt for a special stand to make sure it’s constantly within your reach and sight, so you don’t skip it.
Process your beds, armchairs, carpets, any soft furniture with a dust mite cleaner. Make sure the UV is on. In some models, you need to press it hard against the surface to activate the UV.
If any noticeable amount of dust gets to the floor, repeat the procedure with the regular cleaner. After some days, though, it will not be an issue.
Repeat the procedures frequently (daily or at least three times a week) to make them more efficient. The effect can be noticed by the way you feel. It may take up to one week for you to feel the effect.
Things to consider before buying a dust mite vacuum
If you are buying your first dust mite vacuum, the first thing to consider (except for its price) is the necessity you face. If there is an allergic person in your family, you better select the best model and not spare money: you will spend more on treatment and medicines otherwise. Cleaners have proven efficient in recent years, and their prices are reasonable.
More powerful vibro motors matter if you haven’t cleaned your beds, curtains, armchairs, and other fabric-covered furniture for long. There must be loads of dust in there, so it will take an effort to shake it down. If you’re into frequent cleaning, you’ll be good with even lesser suction and vibration, because there’ll be only the surface to clean. Does the frequency matter? Not as much as manufacturers may serve it.
In fact, a double motor (like that in the vacuum by Raycop) does a better job of providing a powerful dustquake. Still, it only matters when the dust has been accumulating in your furniture for years. After some days of procedures, there’ll be much less of it – and less need to rock it like a hurricane.
If you’re purchasing the vacuum for a long time, you better purchase the replacement parts with it. As you have probably read, some manufacturers cannot send you replacement filters or lamps when you need them. And even if they do, it may take weeks to deliver them from overseas. So it makes sense to have another lamp or filter at home and not give the mites a break they need to spread again.
Everything You Wanted to Ask About Dust Mites
Answers to your most popular questions.
Do UV lights kill dust mites?
Yes, these lights do (proven by researches). But the lamp should meet special requirements known as UV-C type. All the cleaners reviewed above are equipped with UV-C lamps. So yes, they do kill the mites.
How often should you vacuum for dust mite allergies?
If the case is severe, you better do it daily – at least, at the early stages. After a week or so of that intensive work you can relax a little. But don’t let the mites multiply. So you should still repeat the procedure at least once each three days.
How to clean a dust mite vacuum?
Most of them are equipped with a quick button that lets you access its filters and bins. So bins can be emptied, washed, and returned, and filters can be cleaned or replaced. Not all filters are washable, but if they are, you will be able to detach them for washing.
Do dust mites fly?
No, they are deprived of this ability. However, because of their microscopic size, they can float through the air. Not the sort of natural mystic you want in your house. Your dust mite vacuum cleaner, though, will be the first and the last trumpet for them: many more of them will have to die.
The Heroes of Mite and Magic
Well. All the devices reviewed above are to be recommended. Of course, it depends on your budget and requirements, but they all do the work to the very core – they exterminate the harmful inhabitants and extract their remains to be buried elsewhere.
None of these devices is perfect, though. Even the most premium Raycop may have its flaws, let alone the others. That’s why Housmile is to be recommended as the best choice: its devices offer the best balance of features, quality, and price. Others, however, also have their pros, partly in terms of design.
Back in 2007, scientists concluded that vacuuming couldn’t really remove mite allergens. Maybe, so it was in 2007. Times are changing, though, and now the devices used for it have corrected the mistakes of the elder.
What dust mite vacuum cleaners have you seen or tried? Did you like them? Did they really improve the situation for those with allergies? Leave your comments below, and we all will be grateful for that new piece of precious information from your experience.
References:
Environmental assessment and exposure control of dust mites: a practice parameter(US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health): https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5156485/
Home Environmental Interventions for House Dust Mite (Jeffrey M.WilsonMD, PhDThomas A.E.Platts-MillsMD, PhD, FRS for ScienceDirect): https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213219817307535
Effect of germicidal UV-C light(254 nm) on eggs and adult of house dustmites, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae (Astigmata: Pyroglyhidae) (US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health): https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3609379/
Vacuum Cleaning Is Ineffective At Removing Dust Mite Allergen, According To Study (Woolcock Institute Of Medical Research): https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/05/070522155643.htm
Have you ever noticed that it is hard to breathe at home? Do you often sneeze or have a stuffy nose? Dry cough is irritating your throat? But it does not seem to be a common cold. What may cause such symptoms?
These are dust mites that are invisible to the naked eye. They are present almost in every home.
For years, you may treat ailments and visit doctors, but never suspect that the root cause of all troubles lies in your home, in your favorite soft slippers, in a warm blanket and even in a pillow!
In this article I will tell you how to find the signs of dust mites in your house and how to get rid of dust mites. While reading you will also wonder, do I have dust mites? And you will also find the answer to this question.
1. What are dust mites and what do dust mites look like?
If you could see dust mites with the naked eye, their appearance would seem dreadful and disgusting to you. The rounded body of the dust mite does not have a head, there are two claws instead of it, and 4 pairs of legs are equipped with suckers.
The size of this arachnid is only 0,1-0,5 mm. That is why we do not see and do not feel dust mites. The body of the bug is covered with a water-repellent layer. This protects a dust mite from water and does not allow rinsing it without the soap solution.
Dust mites can be found all over the world. They live near humans, in the dwellings where the necessary conditions for their life are created. The dust mite prefers warm and humid places with a temperature of +23 – +26°C and humidity of more than 55%. In such case, it can live up to 75 days. During this time the female dust mite manages to lay up to three hundred eggs. The reproduction most often occurs from late August to early October.
Dust mites are social insects and live in colonies of 10 – 10 000 individuals in a gram of dust.
The highest density of dust mites can be found in down and feather pillows, in mattresses, in wool carpets, sofas and books. Dust mites in bed is the most common situation. More than 70% of the house arachnides are concentrated in a place where you sleep. But dust mites can also be found underneath the baseboards and in vacuum cleaner bags, where they feel very comfortable because it is warm, dusty and dark there.
Dust mites may as well live on your face and in your hair. This causes demodicosis – the disease which manifests itself on the skin of the forehead, cheeks, and eyelids. It leads to hair loss, itching and inflammation. You can cure this disease caused by dust mites on skin within 2-3 months.
Some species of dust mites live in food products: in flour, cereals, dried fruits, and even in cheese and meat. Humans working with flour or cereals or those who eat these products can get allergic reaction to dust mites. In this case, an allergic reaction occurs in the gastrointestinal tract.
Dust mites live not only in houses and apartments. They feel great in libraries, hotels, and barbershops. Soft theatre armchairs, bus seats, train mattresses are their favorite places to be as well.
What do dust mites eat?
Dust mites benefit from humans without causing significant harm. These arthropods feed on dead skin cells. A person loses up to 1,5 g of epidermal scales each day. Dead skin particles are connected with each other and with house dust. They serve as a place of concentration of the colony of dust mites.
Do dust mites bite?
Dust mites live near and benefit from humans, but they do not cause direct harm.
They do not bite. They do not feed on blood or lymph cells. Even if they wanted to bite you, they would not succeed because of their very small size.
Dust mites cannot carry diseases. But their presence may cause many troubles and illnesses.
Why do dust mites appear in the apartment?
Dust mites have been living near humans for many centuries. The first specimens were presumably brought into the dwelling place with bird feathers, as well as with agricultural products.
In cities, most of the buildings are already infected with dust mites. Even in the construction of new apartments, dust mites are brought along with paper, clothing and dust.
Favorable conditions for life and reproduction allow the arachnids to spread indoors. Warm and moist air, secluded dusty places, fur and wool products are the best surroundings for mites. If dust mites are deprived of these facilities, the number of these bugs can be greatly reduced.
Lowered humidity (below 40%) and the air temperature below 10°С are unfavorable for them. But the most dangerous threat to dust mites is ultraviolet, which kills them within two hours.
It is impossible to visually detect the presence of dust mites. You may live with them for years not knowing about it. Dust mites themselves are harmless, but the products of their vital activity like the remains of molting and excrements can cause severe allergies and exacerbate bronchial asthma.
The following symptoms should put on your guard; they can verify the presence of dust mites in your house:
nasal congestion, frequent sneezing, nasal discharge (with no signs of a cold);
eye redness and irritation, conjunctivitis, lacrimation;
dry cough, wheezing;
shortness of breath, breathing difficulty, suffocation;
skin redness and irritation, rashes, hives;
bronchial asthma;
inflammatory processes in the nasal mucosa.
3. Why are dust mites harmful?
According to statistics, about 80% of patients with bronchial asthma are allergic to dust mites. And in large cities, every fourth resident has an allergic reaction to dust mites. Large amounts of paper are accumulating in offices. This is a favorable environment for dust mites. A person inhales dust with mites both at work and at home. All this has a negative effect on well-being.
If you do not fight with dust mites, they will quickly multiply and exceed the permissible harmless amount. And this will lead to inflammatory processes, as well as to seborrheic dermatitis, acne, eczema. The human body becomes weakened, because every day more than half of the immune system`s resources are spent to neutralize the effects of this dust.
4. How to get rid of dust mites
Dust mites symptoms
There are dust mites symptoms signaling about their presence. You must take all measures to prevent them from multiplying and spreading in your house. You will not manage to completely get rid of dust mites, but applying these extreme measures will decrease the amount of dust mites.
Get rid of down and feather pillows, old mattresses, carpets, soft toys without delay, because they are a source of house dust. Down pillows and comforters are best replaced with synthetic ones that are hypoallergenic.
Wash your bedding at temperatures above 65°C using anti-mite additives.
Perform wet cleaning once a day.
Use a washing vacuum cleaner adding anti-mite products.
The collar protects your pets from ticks and fleas, but it is also an excellent means against dust mites. It has a strong repellent in its formula and can protect your dog or cat for 12 months. Before using collar thoroughly wash your pet with a special anti-mite shampoo and dry them well.
The collar acts as an addition to the primary treatment. If your pet has a severe case of a dust-mite problem, or your home is gravely infested, it may not help you. You will also need some additional preventing methods during high dust mite season. The collar is 25 inches in length and can be easily regulated for any animal neck. Just cut the excess of the strap after you’ve clipped it.
This product is natural and perfectly safe to use with your pets and with kids around. It contains natural oils, like Citronella, Peppermint, Eucalyptus, and Resin which even smell good. Unlike many other collars, this one is waterproof so don’t worry if your dog is a fan of swimming. Maximum protection guaranteed in the water, same as on dry land.
Pros:
Cons:
safe use;
eco-friendly essential oil formula;
year guarantee;
pleasant smell.
may not be enough in case of a grave infestation;
dog shampoo is recommended as additional means.
Store flour and cereals in hermetically sealed jars.
In addition to these urgent measures, it is necessary to carry out a number of changes in the house to prevent the emerging of dust mites. You cannot win with one single action – you have to struggle on all fronts. Otherwise, the arachnids will stay in your home and continue multiplying. It is necessary to imply home remedies to dust mites before it’s too late.
How to get rid of dust mites in bed?
The majority of dust mites are concentrated in the bed, so pay special attention to your bedding.
Use eco-friendly pillows. They are highly hygienic and hypoallergenic. They do not become clogged with dust and are unfavorable for parasites.
Use a washing vacuum cleaner with a water filter. A normal vacuum cleaner will not be able to collect all the dust mites from soft fleecy surfaces, and it will spread them with a stream of air across the room.
No products found.
The most efficient way to deal with dust mites, the anti-mites vacuum cleaner is also the most expensive. Still, it’s way cheaper and eco-friendlier than ordering a professional extermination team. It will cost you around $60 on Amazon and other web stores with pest control equipment. The way it works is different from your regular vacuum cleaner, and the tube is equipped with 253.7nm UV sterilization and the hot air of 55℃ temperature for the highest possible efficiency. All those factors make its mites a killing rate of 99.7%.
The minimum size of particles it manages to capture makes up 0.3 microns. It beats mites and bed bugs from your bedsheets and carpets with the help of vibration and right after that sucks them in turning their particles into the fresh air. Anti-Dust Mite Vacuum Cleaner is a must-have for people with allergies and asthma, and it can solve the dust mite problem for good. It is recommended to use it regularly for maintenance and keeping your premises healthy. The exhaust vent must be cleaned once a week, and the filter cotton replaced every 2 to 3 months. The replacement is sold on Amazon as well.
Pros:
Cons:
the most effective means in fighting dust-mites;
perfect for people with allergies and asthma;
cheaper than extermination team;
uses the latest sterilization technologies.
way more expensive than other products;
the filter cotton needs regular replacement.
Change pillows and blankets every 5-7 years.
Wash your clothes at temperatures above 65°C.
Perform a wet cleaning with saline solution (5-10 spoonfuls of salt per bucket of water).
Dustmite Control powder by Ecology Works can be used as a spray when mixed with water, or you can add it into your steam cleaner for the ultimate hit on the carpet crawling dust mites. It can cover up to 800 square feet as a spray and about 400 square feet as a steam carpet cleaner. The full instruction on mixing dustmite powder with water can be found on the package.
The formula of Dustmite control is enrichened with a small amount of pesticide which is of a very small danger to your health. Still, it is not recommended to use its solution on pillowcases and bedsheets. It has neither color nor odor and is safe to use with water-safe fabrics. It may take up to 8 weeks of its regular use to get rid of the dust mites. Dustmite Control is your first choice for keeping control over the dust mite infestation. After you’ve eliminated the mites once and for all, use it twice a year for optimal maintenance.
Pros:
Cons:
moderate price;
two possible ways of application for different infestation scales;
perfect for maintenance;
can be also used for fleas.
contains a slightly toxic ingredient;
may not be enough for serious infestation.
In summer, hang your bedding in the sun. Ultraviolet is harmful to dust mites.
In winter, take pillows, blankets, carpets, and soft toys outdoors. Not only dust mites, but also their eggs die at low temperatures.
Use pillows with bamboo fibers. They prevent parasites and bacteria from multiplying, as well as create anti-static and antiseptic effects. These pillows will not lose their properties if you wash them.
Get plaids and other voluminous bedding dry-cleaned if necessary.
Use a steam cleaner to clean upholstered furniture and mattresses.
The main direction in the fight against parasites is home hygiene. If this does not lead to the desired result, it is necessary to use special chemicals for killing dust mites.
Anti-allergenic spray to kill dust mites for the surface of upholstered furniture and carpets. The chemical will remain its effect for 1-2 months. It not only destroys parasites, but also neutralizes the products of their vital activity, feces, and chitinous scales. Use the spray strictly according to the instructions and with the observance of precautionary measures.
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Eradicator spray is the eco-friendliest solution to dust mite problem. It can eliminate dust mites, bed bugs and all the other pests that are hard to see and even harder to reach with regular toxic bug sprays. Those bugs can crawl in your bed or inside walls and furniture causing you breathing troubles and skin irritation.
Eradicator is completely non-toxic, which means you can disperse it on your bed sheets or the sleeping pillow of your pet. It’s stain-free and has a faint vinegar smell which fades after 20 minutes. Its green formula has also proved to be effective against bugs immune to Pyrethroids. When you’re faced with the first sign of infestation, use Eradicator as soon as you can. Be especially thorough with bed sheets, carpets, curtains and all the other fabrics you have in your home. It is also recommended to dry-clean after use to boost up its effect.
Re-spray Eradicator every 24 hours and in a couple of days you will be glad to find out your and your family allergies gone. To maintain dust mite control, spray the crucial surfaces once or twice a week before vacuum cleaning. The spray is suitable for your bedroom and living-room areas, as well as for your car. However, it may take more than just one spray if there are signs of grave infestation.
Pros:
Cons:
green and eco-friendly;
easily controls a moderate level dust mite infestation;
suitable for dust mites, bedbugs, and other tiny pests;
well-priced compared to other means.
may not be enough in case of severe dust mite infestation.
vinegar smell can be irritating.
Washing suspensions with the effect of destroying allergens.
Products for the dry cleaning of carpets and furniture.
Anti-allergenic shampoos for washing floors and cleaning carpets.
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Mite Avenger is a number one anti-mite shampoo for dogs recommended by every veterinarian out there. It contains non-toxic ingredients and treats your pet’s skin very gently and at the same time stops them from itching and scratching. It showed terrific results on dogs with long-time mites problem: with the help of it, you and your dog can get rid of Demodectic, Sarcoptic and Cheyletiella mites.
The non-chemical formula here is way better than the toxic means many people have got used to when dealing with dust-mites. Even if your dogs lick it, it’s entirely safe for their health. There’s not one damaging effect for your pet health and immune system. Its formula doesn’t contain strong pesticides that many mites have already got used to and can find a way to resist. And, as a lovely bonus, it costs a lot less than chemical treatment programs.
The way of treatment here is simple: just apply Mite Avenger during your dog’s bath. You don’t have to take your pet to the doctor or take part in any expensive chemical treatment programs. One time bath is enough if the mites infection is not severe. If there’s a severe medical case, apply the shampoo as it is recommended in step-by-step instruction.
Pros:
Cons:
all-natural safe formula;
effective against mites of all types;
gentle treatment;
can manage even the most severe mites problem.
quite expensive for dog shampoo;
you may need to consult a veterinarian before use.
Mister Ben’s are probably the most popular dog ear drops. They cost very little, but their anti-mite effect is well-known among dog lovers. These ear drops can manage most of the dog infections, as well as mites with their soothing and disinfecting effect. If you’ve faced mite infection in dog’s ears before, you know that half of the means here is ineffective and another half is too expensive.
The tonic has several eco ingredients for treating your pet friend’s ears, cold-pressed organic Aloe is the basis of the formula, and it’s very well-known for its soothing and antibacterial effects. Besides, the natural formula provides light and nice herbal smell that won’t be annoying to your or your dog. Mister Ben’s Ear Tonic is sold with an eBook full of dog ear treatment recipes. Besides, from every purchase, a small donation is made to Last Chance Animal Rescue Center in Southampton, NY. Works better when accompanied by Mister Ben’s Aloe Ear Wash.
Pros:
Cons:
non-toxic aloe-based formula;
the effect is seen after three days of use;
inexpensive;
a donation to sick animals is made from every purchase.
works better in complex with other Mister Ben’s products;
cannot treat any other parts of your dog’s body.
All these chemicals are effective dust mites killers, but you must use them with caution, because they can also cause allergies.
How to get rid of dust mites on skin?
If dust mites live on the face of a person and in the hair follicles, the treatment will take at least 2 months. The patient is subjected to anti-parasitic and exfoliating procedures, cryogenic exposure to liquid nitrogen, strong effect ointments are applied (5-10% sulfur ointment, sodium thiosulfate). It is good to wipe the skin with sulfur and tar alcohol.
5. How to prevent the occurrence of dust mites
The fight against parasites is complicated by the fact that they cannot be seen. And how to deal with something you do not see? Therefore, the prevention of the appearance and reproduction of dust mites should be constantly carried out.
If you follow certain rules, you can succeed in killing dust mites and exclude the occurrence of this invisible enemy. These rules are not complex and are based on the characteristics of the life of dust mites. If you create unsuitable conditions for their existence, the parasites will disappear.
How to create unsuitable conditions and to get rid of dust mites?
Dust mites require warmth, high humidity, dust and food to survive. Therefore, to get rid of dust mites use the following methods.
Minimum carpets.
Easily washable smooth floor.
Upholstered furniture with easily washable upholstery (leather, artificial leather).
Replace feather and down pillows.
Get rid of soft toys or wash them more often.
Replace heavy curtains with blinds or easily washable fabrics.
Books and baubles should not be kept on open shelves.
Do not store things under the bed or on the closet (they are not protected from dust).
Do not keep your computer in the bedroom (dust accumulates quickly, and it is difficult to get rid of it).
Dry your bed clothes outdoors, iron them with a hot iron and store them in a dry place.
Plants may also contribute to fighting the dust mites. Plant flowers with large leaves or a great number of small leaves. Such plants collect dust and fight against microbes and mites.
The flowers like chlorophytum, chamaedorea (bamboo palm), ficus, geranium, and peace lily can help prevent dust allergies.
Even if you have no symptoms of dust mites allergy, this does not mean that you have no dust mites in your house. They live everywhere, but for now their number does not exceed the norm. To get rid of dust mites we must try to restrain their reproduction and keep the house clean.
Preventing the appearance of parasites is much easier than dealing with them. Maintenance of cleanliness, regular wet cleaning, and proper hygiene – these simple rules will protect your house from dust mites.
References:
House Dust Mites (College of Agriculture, Food and Environment): https://entomology.ca.uky.edu/ef646
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