YOU HAVEN'T ACTUALLY SEEN HIM (HE'S MICROSCOPIC) BUT YOU PROBABLY HAVE FELT THE EFFECT OF DUST MITES IN YOUR HOME OR WORKPLACE.
 

Where Are Dust Mites?

Dust mites are microscopic members of the Arachnid family and are second cousins to ticks and chiggers. The most common dust mites in the home and office of North American are D. farinae and D. pteronyssinus.
 

Where Do Dust Mites Live?

Dust mites live in our homes and offices. They are found primarily in our carpets, draperies, bedding, mattresses, pillows, upholstered furniture, books, and in dust.
 

What Do Dust Mites Eat?

Dust mites eat microscopic fungi and are especially fond of human and animal skin scales which they find in abundance in our upholstery, carpet and bedding.
 

What Do Dust Mites Like?

Dust mites thrive in an environment that includes high humidity and warm temperatures.
 

What Is The Dust Mite's Secret Weapon?

Dust mites' secret weapon is their abundant population and alarming reproductive rate. Although they live only three weeks, during that time each produces 25-50 babies and each mite releases 10-20 fecal particles per day.
 

What Do Dust Mites Do To You?

Dust mites and their waste particles can produce severe allergic reactions in individuals. Symptoms can include runny noses, itchy eyes, wheezing, sneezing, etc.
 

HOW CAN WE CONTROL DUST MITES?
 

Environmental Controls:

Filtration & Purification Controls

Create a healthy inside environment for yourself and an unhealthy environment for dust mites by using:

HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Arresting) filtration

Electrostatic air filters

Portable air purifiers
 

Temperature & Humidity Control

Dust mites can best be controlled if the humidity in your office or home is kept below 50 percent with a temperature around 70 to 75 degrees. They can be killed if the humidity is below 35 percent. Dust mites can be destroyed in bedding by heating to a temperature exceeding 140 degrees for 20 minutes.
 

Wear a Mask

A filtration mask made with cotton or silk material can help reduce exposure when vacuuming, dusting and cleaning. If tolerated, a 3-M high efficiency mask will remove 99.97% of the particulate matter down to .3 microns.
 

Vacuums

A regularly cleaned vacuum with a water and/or HEPA filtration system removes dust mites and particulate from floor, air and furnishings. Several good systems are available including:

    Amway
    Euroclean
    Filter Queen
    Miele
    Nilfisk
    Rainbow
    Thermax
    Vita-Vac
 

An Organized Plan of Attack

The bedroom is one area of the home where dust mites proliferate. As many as 500 can be found in 1 gram of dust. The following will help destroy the mites' happy home:

• •Clean thoroughly with tannic acid or tea
• •Keep closets clean and uncluttered
• •Barrier cloth cover over all mattresses and pillows
• •No dust catchers, books, clutter
• •Use mini blinds instead of draperies
• •No carpets or steam clean them regularly

 

Diagnostic Procedures

Allergy skin testing (scratch or intradermal) or blood (RAST) testing can aid in the diagnostic of dust and dust mite allergies.
 

Medications
 

Several medications are now available to the allergic patient. These include:

    Nasalcrom ~ Sodium Chromolyn
    Seldane ~ Hismanal
    Sudafed ~ Vitamins

Immunotherapy provides the most effective, long-term relief for the allergic patient.
 

WE CAN WIN & DEFEAT THIS MIGHTY OPPONENT WITH ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROLS & ALLERGY TREATMENT
 

Where Does All The Dust Come From?

    Feathers & Bedding
    Molds, Fungus, etc. on Firewood
    Mold on Food
    Minerals & Soil
    Tobacco Smoke
    Foot Tracks
    Vacuum Bags
    Smoke
    Human Hair
    Paint & Varnish Flakes
    Pets
    Brooms & Mops
    Clothing & Textiles
    Sawdust & Wood Shavings