FLOORSANDING BY WOODYS / Dustmites

What are Dust Mites?

They are microscopic bugs living of dead human skin, harmless to most people, they do tend to reap havoc in people with allergic reactions. They do not carry diseases. Nearly a 100,000 mites can live in a Sq/m of Carpet. Each of them leave +/- 20 droppings a day, these contain a protein which cause allergic reaction in humans, ranging from itchy eyes, to more serious asthma attacks. Yuck!!

Where do they live?

Beds are prime. A typical used matres may contain anywhere between a 100,000 to 10 Million of these Bugs. 10% the weight of a average two year old pillow can be composed of dead mites and their droppings. Up to 80% of material seen floating in a sunbeam is actually human and animal skin flakes. Carpets and household upholstery support high mite populations.

Are they harmfull? What do they do?

To most Humans, while they are disgusting, house dust mites are not harmful. For those individuals who are sensitive to these bugs and their droppings and to dust in general. They could incur Rhinitis allergica, Hay fever and in more serious cases asthmatic attacks. In such serious cases consult a Doctor a Allergist. Dust Mites are only one of many contributors to allergic reactions, other are Cat dander, cockroach droppings, grass pollen etc.

How to reconize the symtoms of allergies to Dust Mites?

Protein substances in Dust Mite feces produces antibodies in humans who are allergic when these are inhaled or touch the skin. These antibodies cause the release of histamines which cause nasal congestion, swelling and irritation of the upper respiratory passages. Typical Symtoms - Hayfever, Watering eyes, Runny nose, Itching, Asthma, Difficulty in breathing, Infantile eczema. Etc. The following may contribute to worsening symptoms Poor ventilation, High Humidity, High Temparatures above 70 F / 20 C, Tobacco smoke etc.

Biology and life cycle

- Adults females lay 40 - 80 eggs singly or in groups of three to five

- The life cycle of a dust mite, egg to adult spans about one month.

- Their diet consists of dander (Skin scales) from humans and animals.

- House Dust mites are cosmopolitan in distribution

- They thrive in an environment filled with Human scales

- Their levels are best measured in cleaning, and during bed making

Detection

House Dust mites presence is often suspected before they are actually seen and accurately identified. Requests for control often come from individuals who have been diagnosed by medical personnel as allergic to the House Dust Mite or to the allergens produced.

What can YOU do !

Recommendations focus on “DUST CONTROL”. One must reduce the concentration of dust borne allergens in the living environment. Consider the following.

BED: Enclose your mattress with a plastic sheet. Wash your sheets, blankets and pillows in very hot water. Use synthetic fabrics. Clean on a weekly basis.

Carpets: Remove Carpeting and replace with Wood, Tiles etc. Vacuum your carpets thoroughly and often. See that your vacuum cleaner has a proper filtering system.

Additional tips: Open windows and curtains as sunlight kills Dust Mites, however it does not remove Dust mite residue. Regularly place children soft toys in the freezer before washing them. Install air purifiers.

Let’s go “DUST MITING” start removing CARPETS and

Replacing them with tiles or a sanded wooden floor

Dust mites

Every THING YOU MIGHT NOT

WANT TO KNOW

Living in your Pillow, Bed, Carpets and Loose rugs by the millions. They are a major contributor towards Asthma and allergies; especially in vulnerable individuals. According to studies done approximately 10% to 15% of people are sensitive to Dust Mites.