Dust Mite Size report
You have probably heard of dust mites, but did you know they are not insects? They belong to the Arachnida class, including spiders, scorpions, and ticks. Dust mites aren't parasites; they do not bite or even sting.
Thirty-four species have been recorded, among which the main species related to human allergic diseases are house dust mites and burial mites. You will not be able to spot them with the naked eye. The best way to see these critters is under a microscope or by using a powerful magnifying glass.
Dust mites are important allergens that induce bronchial asthma. The common clinical manifestations of dust mite allergy are asthma and allergic rhinitis. There are many ways to control mites, including indoor cleaning, indoor ventilation, reducing humidity, spraying acaricides, and anti-mite functional textiles.
Dust Mite Introduction
We can find dust mites worldwide; these creatures tend to favor hot and humid climates. The reason why dust mites are so prevalent in people's homes is that they feed off of dead skin cells. On an average day, one person may shed 1.5 grams of dead skin cells, which can feed up to one million dust mites at a time. Dust mites make their homes in places where dead skin cells are most likely to accumulate, such as bedding, furniture, and carpeting. Rugs and stuffed animals also make good homes for dust mites.
Household carpets, mattresses, and furniture covers are the main breeding grounds for dust mites. Mites can breed anywhere indoors if there is an adequate supply of food and water. Clothes may be a transmission tool for mites, transporting mites to different places for survival and reproduction. So it is important to learn more about these tiny species, which will help kill them effectively.
Average Size
Dust mites have eight legs, no eyes, and no antennae. They only look like small white spider-like creatures under a microscope. The typical dust mite averages 0.2 - 0.3 millimeters in size. You can only see them under a microscope due to their small size, and they only look like small white spider-like creatures.
Living Habits
Males dust mites can live over a month, while female dust mites can live up to 90 days. The development time of dust mites depends on the temperature and relative humidity of the environment. The ideal development temperature is 20~25℃, and the RH is 70%~75%. As temperature and RH decrease, the development time of mites will be prolonged. Because of temperature, mites on sofas and mattresses develop faster than on cooler carpets and floors.
Dust Mite Allergy
Dust mites are distributed worldwide. Some people point out that dust mite allergic asthma is the most common clinical asthma in all countries. Dust mites themselves are allergenic, meaning they can cause allergies. They also leave behind skin and fecal matter that may also trigger allergies. Most dust mites die in low humidity levels or extreme temperatures. But they leave their dead bodies and waste behind. These can continue to cause allergic reactions. In a warm, humid house, dust mites can survive all year.
Symptoms
These allergens can trigger mild to severe allergic symptoms in sensitized individuals and can be responsible for asthma attacks. Common symptoms include:
- Sneezing
- Runny nose
- Itchy, red, or watery eyes
- Stuffy nose
- Itchy nose, mouth, or throat
- Itchy skin
- Postnasal drip
- Cough
In severe cases, you may experience difficulty breathing, chest tightness or pain, a whistling or wheezing sound when breathing out, trouble sleeping caused by pain, coughing or wheezing.
How to Protect Against Dust Mites
Unlike pet allergens, dust mite allergens do not usually stay airborne but instead settle within minutes into dust or fabrics. These allergens commonly cling to bedding, mattresses, upholstered furniture, carpets, and curtains. You can take action to reduce or eliminate dust mites in your home.
- Reduce humidity. Keep your home below 50 percent humidity. Air conditioning and dehumidifiers can help.
- Wash bedding in hot water (at least 130 degrees F) once a week.
- Carpeting and cloth curtains should be cleaned regularly or removed from the home, especially if occupants are allergic to dust mites.
- Dust your home regularly and reduce the amount of it that is stirred up when cleaning. There are vacuum cleaners specially designed for removing mites, which are equipped with UV Light, which can accurately detect and effectively remove 99% of floating dust and mites.
Dust mites are microscopic, insect-like pests that feed on dead human skin cells and thrive in warm, humid environments. Dust mites are nearly everywhere in your house. If you have allergies or asthma, a tiny creature living in your home could be making big problems for you. It may not be possible to rid your home entirely of these creatures. But the ways above may lessen your allergic reactions to them.