What are dust mites?

House dust mites are microscope bugs that primarily live on dead skin cells regularly shed from humans and their pets. Skin cells and scales, commonly called dander, are often concentrated in lounging areas, mattresses, or frequently used furniture which may harbor large numbers of these microscopic mites. A typical mattress can contain tens of thousands of dust mites. A single dust mite produces about 20 waste droppings each day, each containing a protein to which many people are allergic. Rarely do we find allergies to down. The proteins in that combination of feces and skin sheddings are what cause allergic reactions in humans.  more

Dust mites are microscopic insects that live in abundance in people’s homes. They are ideally suited to home life because dust mites avidly consume the skin particles shed by humans and animals. They also tend to make their home in places like pillows and mattresses. In fact, a typical mattress can contain as many as 100,000 dust mites. Stuffed animals, carpets, and stuffed furniture are also key dust mite habitats. One cannot completely eradicate dust mites. This is unfortunate since many people are allergic to dust mite excrement. About 10% of the population is significantly allergic to dust mite excreta, which causes some of the worst allergies, in particular, childhood asthma. Though one cannot completely get rid of a dust mite population, one can reduce the population of dust mites. Certain tips can help make the home a less friendly place for dust mites. Probably the single most important step in getting rid of dust mites is to use plastic coverings on mattresses. There are ...  more

Dust mites belong to the family of 8-legged creatures called Arachnids. This family also includes spiders, chiggers, and ticks. Dust mites - which can only be seen with a microscope - are hardy creatures that live well and multiply easily in warm, humid places. They prefer temperatures at or above 70&degree;F with relative humidity at 75-80 percent. Mites die when the humidity falls below 40-50 percent and are rarely found in very dry climates. As many as 18,875 dust mites can live in one gram of dust, but the usual population is about 100 to 500 mites per gram. (A gram is about the weight of a paper clip). Each mite produces about 10-20 waste particles each day and lives for 30 days. Egg-laying females can add 25-30 new mites to the population. Mites eat particles of skin and dander and thrive in bedding, carpeting, upholstered furniture, clothing, closets, and automobile seats - all likely to contain skin particles. Dust mites don't bite, cannot spread diseases, and never live on ...  more

House dust mites are microscope bugs that primarily live on dead skin cells regularly shed from humans and their animal pets. Dust mites are harmless to most people. They don't carry diseases, but they can cause allergic reactions in asthmatics and others who are allergic to their feces. Skin cells and scales, commonly called dander, are often concentrated in lounging areas, mattresses, frequently used furniture and associated carpeted areas, often harbor large numbers of these microscopic mites. Since the average human sloughs off 1/3 ounce (10 grams) of dead skin a week. That gives dust mites a lot to eat. Cats and dogs create far more dander for dust mites to eat. A typical mattress can contain tens of thousands of dust mites. Sick yet? Nearly 100,000 mites can live in one square yard of carpet. Ready to convince your spouse to start bathing regularly? Did you know a single dust mite produces about 20 waste droppings each day, each containing a protein to which many people are ...  more

Dust mites are tiny organisms with eight legs, distantly related to spiders. You can't see them with the naked eye. Other than triggering allergy and asthma symptoms, they don't cause any harm. They like to live in areas that are warm and humid and can be found in many homes. Some people are allergic to dust mites' decayed bodies and fecal material, which become components of airborne household dust.  more

Dust mites are tiny bugs that live in your home. They measure about 1/100th of an inch in length, which is smaller than the period at the end of this sentence. Dust mites feed off of pet and human dander (dead skin cells in the air and on surfaces in our homes), and their waste is a major cause of allergies and asthma. Symptoms of dust mites allergy include sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion and itchy nose. If you have asthma, dust mites can cause you to wheeze more and need more asthma medicine. You may have more sympotms at night, when you are laying in a bed infested with dust mites. So, cutting down the number of dust mites in the home is an important step if you or someone in your family has allergies or asthma. Dust mites love warm, humid areas filled with dust. Bed pillows, mattresses, carpets and furniture are great places for them to live. Cleaning each one of these places can make a real difference in the number of dust mites in your home.  more

Dust mites are spider-like creatures that thrive and multiply in warm, moist areas. You can't see the little rascals with your naked eye, but they can cause big problems for you if you are allergic to them. They prefer places where the temperature is at or above 70 degrees Fahrenheit and the humidity reaches 75% to 80%. They can't survive in colder, less humid settings -- they've never been seen in Antarctica and are rarely found in dry climates. In the U.S., dust mite allergy tends to get worse during July and August, when dust mite populations peak because of warmer weather. Dust mites like to eat dead skin from pets and humans. Since flakes of skin normally fall off humans unnoticed every day, mites aren't likely to starve. An average adult sheds up to 1.5 grams of skin each day -- enough to feed a million dust mites. Flakes of dead skin work their way into carpeting, beds, and furniture, inviting dust mites in for a happy meal. Most dust mites are found inside mattresses, bedding, ...  more

A. Dust mites are microscopic relatives of ticks and spiders that thrive in warm, humid places. They feed primarily on human skin scales. Many people suffer with allergies from the dust mites fecal pellets that easily become airborne and are inhaled into our lungs.  more