Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTips for Eliminating House Dust MitesManaging BeddingDusting and FloorsImprove Air QualityTake a Multi-Pronged Approach
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Tips for Eliminating House Dust Mites
Managing Bedding
Dusting and Floors
Improve Air Quality
Take a Multi-Pronged Approach
You may never be able to get rid of all house dustmiteslike the abundantDermatophagoides farinae.However, reducing the house dust mite population can improve your allergy andasthma symptoms. Symptoms affecting airways, eyes, and skin are common, sometimes reaching systemic levels.
This article offers ideas on how to eliminateDermatophagoides pteronyssinusandD. farinaehouse dust mites and improve the indoor environment of your home.
Maskot / Getty Images
Dust mites typically live in different kinds of fabric. They don’t move easily and tend to stay where they grow. Dust mites in the home are most often found in:
The bedroom is likely the most important place to remove house mites as you can have significant exposure during sleep, but it’s not the only place to consider. It’s also important to remember that even if you keep a clean home, you probably have house mites. Everyone does.
Do Pets Cause House Mites?Pets andpet danderalso may be a cause of asthma and allergy symptoms but they’re not, in themselves, the reasons for house dust mites. The mites do feed on pet skin as well as human skin.It’s also thought that mites can travel around the home when attached to pet fur, so even though your dog may not love baths, some experts recommend good pet hygiene.
Do Pets Cause House Mites?
Pets andpet danderalso may be a cause of asthma and allergy symptoms but they’re not, in themselves, the reasons for house dust mites. The mites do feed on pet skin as well as human skin.It’s also thought that mites can travel around the home when attached to pet fur, so even though your dog may not love baths, some experts recommend good pet hygiene.
Dust Allergy Symptoms (From Particles or Mites)
It’s important to remember that you spend hours at a time breathing in the dust and mites while you sleep. Mites often live in bedding because it’s a source of dead skin cells on which they feed.
Use Allergen-Free Casing for the Bed
In the United States, about 80% of homes have dust mite allergens in at least one bed.Encasing pillows and mattresses is one of the most effective ways to decrease house mites. These cases for pillows, mattresses, and boxsprings are an extra cover that zips up to provide a barrier against mites.
Still, some researchers report mixed results with casement products, although they remain highly recommended.Large clinical trials have shown no real benefit in adults with asthma or allergic rhinitis, but studies in children found their symptoms improved when a bedding barrier is used.
Even if you buy hypoallergenic mattresses and pillows, encasement may still be important to prevent house mite colonization.
Asthma and House MitesA 2024 study from China cites research on more than 6,000 people diagnosed with asthma orrhinitis(runny nose) symptoms typical with allergies. Skin prick tests of sensitivity to house dust mites found 59% were positive forD. farinaeand 57.6% were positive forD. pteronyssinus.
Asthma and House Mites
A 2024 study from China cites research on more than 6,000 people diagnosed with asthma orrhinitis(runny nose) symptoms typical with allergies. Skin prick tests of sensitivity to house dust mites found 59% were positive forD. farinaeand 57.6% were positive forD. pteronyssinus.
Unexplained Allergies? It Might Be Time to Dust
Wash Bedding Often
If you cannot encase a pillow to prevent house mites, it should be washed frequently with other bedding.Current guidelines recommend washing all bedding once a week in 120°F water so that house mites are killed. Washing with cooler temperatures will remove, but not kill, house mites. Don’t forget to wash stuffed animals and toys, too.
Change Bedroom Location
Moving the bedroom away from the kitchen, or from dust sources like a street-facing porch, can be particularly helpful in limiting dust mites. Some studies have found that more mites were found in bedrooms that are closer to the kitchen.
Also, avoid putting bedrooms in the basement since dust mites thrive in areas with higher humidity levels and moisture.
It’s important to clean more often if you need to control house mites, with regular and frequent cleaning shown to reduce the mites.Carpets, curtains, and even kitchens play a role.
Dust and Vacuum Often
Dust your home often to improve indoor air quality. A microfiber cloth or damp dusting rag will work better to trap and remove dust rather than stirring it up and back into the air.
While vacuuming decreases household dust, it may not effectively decrease house mites. Using a quality vacuum with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter is likely to be more effective.You also should empty the dusty canisters or bags outside the home when you’re done cleaning.
Regular vacuuming does seem to reduce symptoms.If yourallergy to house mitesis significant, though, consider wearing a face mask or leaving during vacuuming.
Remove Carpets
While not as effective as encasing bedding, removing wall-to-wall carpet may decrease exposure to house mites. The American Lung Association recommends hard-surfaced flooring when possible.
Area rugs that can be moved may be better, but be sure to clean both sides when you vacuum. You also should steam clean carpets and rugs at least once per year.
Clean Hard Surfaces
Mopping hard-surfaces floors often will help to reduce house mite populations. Wiping down other hard surfaces with a damp washcloth will remove mites. Don’t forget the kitchen, even though it may not have rugs or upholstered furniture. Some studies have found high amounts of dust mites in the kitchen.
Most studies of house dust mites find that steps to improve humidity as well as remove particles and pollution can help to reduce mite populations. A 2022 study of 290 Canadian homes found that an indoor relative humidity above 45% created conditions in which the mites can thrive.
Use a Dehumidifier
While using air-conditioning alone does not decrease levels of house mites, lowering humidity levels can help decrease house mites.Unfortunately, portable dehumidifiers may not work very well in parts of the country where humidity is already very high. For dehumidifiers to effectively lower levels of house mites, recommended humidity levels should be below 35% for at least 22 hours per day.
House Dust Mites and ElevationAltitude affects humidity in the air, so where you live matters. Researchers have found that the presence of house dust mites all but disappears in mountain region homes above 1600 meters.
House Dust Mites and Elevation
Altitude affects humidity in the air, so where you live matters. Researchers have found that the presence of house dust mites all but disappears in mountain region homes above 1600 meters.
Try HEPA Furnace Filters
HEPA filters for your central air and heating systems can be expensive without being effective. Because house mites do not stay airborne for long periods of time, only small amounts are effectively removed in this manner, and usually not worth the cost.Talk with your healthcare provider about whether these filters make sense for you.
Use a Pesticide
Acaracidesare a type of pesticide that can be used to eradicate dust mites. It can be applied to carpets, mattresses, and furniture. Researchers are looking at options that include cinnamon oil and clove bud oil to eliminate mites without the risk of synthetic chemicals to which they become resistant.
Dust Mites and Your Car SeatsA 2015 study examined 212 dust samples taken from 106 vehicles, one each for the driver seat and a child car seat. Most seats had mites present, with more than 12% of the driver seats and 15% of the child seats found with concentrations high enough to cause allergy symptoms.You may want to clean your car, especially the child’s seat, more often.
Dust Mites and Your Car Seats
A 2015 study examined 212 dust samples taken from 106 vehicles, one each for the driver seat and a child car seat. Most seats had mites present, with more than 12% of the driver seats and 15% of the child seats found with concentrations high enough to cause allergy symptoms.You may want to clean your car, especially the child’s seat, more often.
The guidelines advise that in order to effectively mitigate (reduce) household exposure to dust mites, it’s key to put in place at least three measures known to help eliminate dust mites. An example of this triple strategy might be treating carpets with acaracideplusencasing mattresses and pillows with dust-mite resistant coversplusinvesting in a HEPA vacuum cleaner and using it regularly.
Note that the NIH does not recommend taking any measures to decrease exposure to dust mites or any allergen for people who aren’t sensitive to them.
Summary
House dust mites are an important factor in the symptoms of asthma and allergic reactions. How to best control them, especially in an era of environmental change, is a key element of treatment.
There are a number of steps you can take to improve indoor air quality and limit dust mite exposure. Talk with your healthcare provider about how best fine-tune your measures so that you wind up with the most effective and efficient strategy for you.
19 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Hu R, Huang H, Zhou Y, Liu Y, Ren Y, Liao Y,et al.A chromosomal-level genome ofDermatophagoides farinae, a common allergenic mite species.Int J Genomics. 2024 Apr 24;2024:3779688. doi:10.1155/2024/3779688Wilson JM, Platts-mills TAE.Home environmental interventions for house dust mite.J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2018;6(1):1-7. doi:10.1016/j.jaip.2017.10.003Matsumura K, Hamazaki K, Tsuchida A, Inadera H,The Japan environment and children’s study Jecs Group. house dust avoidance during pregnancy and subsequent infant development: The Japan environment and children’s study.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Apr 17;18(8):4277. doi:10.3390/ijerph18084277American Lung Association.Reducing dust mites.Hsu CH, Chien DK, Tsai JJ, Yen CY, Liao EC.The prevalence of IgE positivity, environmental factors, and clinical implications associated with mite species in allergic patients in Taiwan.Asian Pac J Allergy Immunol. 2024 Jan 6. doi:10.12932/AP-270623-1644American Lung Association.Dust mites.Zuiani C, Custovic A.Update on House Dust Mite Allergen Avoidance Measures for Asthma.Curr Allergy Asthma Rep. 2020 Jun 19;20(9):50. doi: 10.1007/s11882-020-00948-y.National Eczema Association.5 common places dust mites are lurking.Nankervis H, Pynn EV, Boyle RJ, Rushton L, Williams HC, Hewson DM,et al.House dust mite reduction and avoidance measures for treating eczema.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015 Jan 19;1(1):CD008426. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD008426.pub2American Lung Association.Carpets and rugs.Sun L, Miller JD, Van Ryswyk K, Wheeler AJ, Héroux ME, Goldberg MS,et al.Household determinants of biocontaminant exposures in Canadian homes.Indoor Air. 2022 Jan;32(1):e12933. doi: 10.1111/ina.12933Szefler SJ, Bonilla FA, Akdis CA, Sampson H.Pediatric Allergy: Principles and Practice. New York, NY: Elsevier Health Sciences; 2015.Klain A, Senatore AA, Licari A, Galletta F, Bettini I, Tomei L,et al.The prevention of house dust mite allergies in pediatric asthma.Children (Basel). 2024 Apr 15;11(4):469. doi:10.3390/children11040469Leas BF, D’anci KE, Apter AJ, et al.Effectiveness of indoor allergen reduction in asthma management: a systematic review.J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2018;141(5):1854-1869. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2018.02.001Kim JR, Kim SH.Eco-friendly acaricidal effects of nylon 66 nanofibers via grafted clove bud oil-loaded capsules on house dust mites.Nanomaterials (Basel). 2017 Jul 10;7(7):179. doi:10.3390/nano7070179Jung Y, Yang H, Lee IY, Yong TS, Lee S.Core/sheath-structured composite nanofibers containing cinnamon oil: Their antibacterial and antifungal properties and acaricidal effect against house dust mites.Polymers (Basel). 2020 Jan 20;12(1):243. doi:10.3390/polym12010243Clarke D, Gormally M, Sheahan J, Byrne M.Child car seats - a habitat for house dust mites and reservoir for harmful allergens.Ann Agric Environ Med. 2015;22(1):17-22. doi:10.5604/12321966.1141362Cloutier MM, Baptist AP, Blake KV, et al.2020 focused updates to the asthma management guidelines: A report from the national asthma education and prevention program coordinating committee expert panel working group.Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2020;146(6):1217-1270. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2020.10.003Acevedo N, Zakzuk J, Caraballo L.House Dust Mite Allergy Under Changing Environments.Allergy Asthma Immunol Res. 2019 Jul;11(4):450-469. doi: 10.4168/aair.2019.11.4.450.Additional ReadingCenters for Disease Control and Prevention.Asthma. Updated May 7, 2020.
19 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Hu R, Huang H, Zhou Y, Liu Y, Ren Y, Liao Y,et al.A chromosomal-level genome ofDermatophagoides farinae, a common allergenic mite species.Int J Genomics. 2024 Apr 24;2024:3779688. doi:10.1155/2024/3779688Wilson JM, Platts-mills TAE.Home environmental interventions for house dust mite.J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2018;6(1):1-7. doi:10.1016/j.jaip.2017.10.003Matsumura K, Hamazaki K, Tsuchida A, Inadera H,The Japan environment and children’s study Jecs Group. house dust avoidance during pregnancy and subsequent infant development: The Japan environment and children’s study.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Apr 17;18(8):4277. doi:10.3390/ijerph18084277American Lung Association.Reducing dust mites.Hsu CH, Chien DK, Tsai JJ, Yen CY, Liao EC.The prevalence of IgE positivity, environmental factors, and clinical implications associated with mite species in allergic patients in Taiwan.Asian Pac J Allergy Immunol. 2024 Jan 6. doi:10.12932/AP-270623-1644American Lung Association.Dust mites.Zuiani C, Custovic A.Update on House Dust Mite Allergen Avoidance Measures for Asthma.Curr Allergy Asthma Rep. 2020 Jun 19;20(9):50. doi: 10.1007/s11882-020-00948-y.National Eczema Association.5 common places dust mites are lurking.Nankervis H, Pynn EV, Boyle RJ, Rushton L, Williams HC, Hewson DM,et al.House dust mite reduction and avoidance measures for treating eczema.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015 Jan 19;1(1):CD008426. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD008426.pub2American Lung Association.Carpets and rugs.Sun L, Miller JD, Van Ryswyk K, Wheeler AJ, Héroux ME, Goldberg MS,et al.Household determinants of biocontaminant exposures in Canadian homes.Indoor Air. 2022 Jan;32(1):e12933. doi: 10.1111/ina.12933Szefler SJ, Bonilla FA, Akdis CA, Sampson H.Pediatric Allergy: Principles and Practice. New York, NY: Elsevier Health Sciences; 2015.Klain A, Senatore AA, Licari A, Galletta F, Bettini I, Tomei L,et al.The prevention of house dust mite allergies in pediatric asthma.Children (Basel). 2024 Apr 15;11(4):469. doi:10.3390/children11040469Leas BF, D’anci KE, Apter AJ, et al.Effectiveness of indoor allergen reduction in asthma management: a systematic review.J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2018;141(5):1854-1869. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2018.02.001Kim JR, Kim SH.Eco-friendly acaricidal effects of nylon 66 nanofibers via grafted clove bud oil-loaded capsules on house dust mites.Nanomaterials (Basel). 2017 Jul 10;7(7):179. doi:10.3390/nano7070179Jung Y, Yang H, Lee IY, Yong TS, Lee S.Core/sheath-structured composite nanofibers containing cinnamon oil: Their antibacterial and antifungal properties and acaricidal effect against house dust mites.Polymers (Basel). 2020 Jan 20;12(1):243. doi:10.3390/polym12010243Clarke D, Gormally M, Sheahan J, Byrne M.Child car seats - a habitat for house dust mites and reservoir for harmful allergens.Ann Agric Environ Med. 2015;22(1):17-22. doi:10.5604/12321966.1141362Cloutier MM, Baptist AP, Blake KV, et al.2020 focused updates to the asthma management guidelines: A report from the national asthma education and prevention program coordinating committee expert panel working group.Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2020;146(6):1217-1270. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2020.10.003Acevedo N, Zakzuk J, Caraballo L.House Dust Mite Allergy Under Changing Environments.Allergy Asthma Immunol Res. 2019 Jul;11(4):450-469. doi: 10.4168/aair.2019.11.4.450.Additional ReadingCenters for Disease Control and Prevention.Asthma. Updated May 7, 2020.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Hu R, Huang H, Zhou Y, Liu Y, Ren Y, Liao Y,et al.A chromosomal-level genome ofDermatophagoides farinae, a common allergenic mite species.Int J Genomics. 2024 Apr 24;2024:3779688. doi:10.1155/2024/3779688Wilson JM, Platts-mills TAE.Home environmental interventions for house dust mite.J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2018;6(1):1-7. doi:10.1016/j.jaip.2017.10.003Matsumura K, Hamazaki K, Tsuchida A, Inadera H,The Japan environment and children’s study Jecs Group. house dust avoidance during pregnancy and subsequent infant development: The Japan environment and children’s study.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Apr 17;18(8):4277. doi:10.3390/ijerph18084277American Lung Association.Reducing dust mites.Hsu CH, Chien DK, Tsai JJ, Yen CY, Liao EC.The prevalence of IgE positivity, environmental factors, and clinical implications associated with mite species in allergic patients in Taiwan.Asian Pac J Allergy Immunol. 2024 Jan 6. doi:10.12932/AP-270623-1644American Lung Association.Dust mites.Zuiani C, Custovic A.Update on House Dust Mite Allergen Avoidance Measures for Asthma.Curr Allergy Asthma Rep. 2020 Jun 19;20(9):50. doi: 10.1007/s11882-020-00948-y.National Eczema Association.5 common places dust mites are lurking.Nankervis H, Pynn EV, Boyle RJ, Rushton L, Williams HC, Hewson DM,et al.House dust mite reduction and avoidance measures for treating eczema.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015 Jan 19;1(1):CD008426. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD008426.pub2American Lung Association.Carpets and rugs.Sun L, Miller JD, Van Ryswyk K, Wheeler AJ, Héroux ME, Goldberg MS,et al.Household determinants of biocontaminant exposures in Canadian homes.Indoor Air. 2022 Jan;32(1):e12933. doi: 10.1111/ina.12933Szefler SJ, Bonilla FA, Akdis CA, Sampson H.Pediatric Allergy: Principles and Practice. New York, NY: Elsevier Health Sciences; 2015.Klain A, Senatore AA, Licari A, Galletta F, Bettini I, Tomei L,et al.The prevention of house dust mite allergies in pediatric asthma.Children (Basel). 2024 Apr 15;11(4):469. doi:10.3390/children11040469Leas BF, D’anci KE, Apter AJ, et al.Effectiveness of indoor allergen reduction in asthma management: a systematic review.J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2018;141(5):1854-1869. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2018.02.001Kim JR, Kim SH.Eco-friendly acaricidal effects of nylon 66 nanofibers via grafted clove bud oil-loaded capsules on house dust mites.Nanomaterials (Basel). 2017 Jul 10;7(7):179. doi:10.3390/nano7070179Jung Y, Yang H, Lee IY, Yong TS, Lee S.Core/sheath-structured composite nanofibers containing cinnamon oil: Their antibacterial and antifungal properties and acaricidal effect against house dust mites.Polymers (Basel). 2020 Jan 20;12(1):243. doi:10.3390/polym12010243Clarke D, Gormally M, Sheahan J, Byrne M.Child car seats - a habitat for house dust mites and reservoir for harmful allergens.Ann Agric Environ Med. 2015;22(1):17-22. doi:10.5604/12321966.1141362Cloutier MM, Baptist AP, Blake KV, et al.2020 focused updates to the asthma management guidelines: A report from the national asthma education and prevention program coordinating committee expert panel working group.Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2020;146(6):1217-1270. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2020.10.003Acevedo N, Zakzuk J, Caraballo L.House Dust Mite Allergy Under Changing Environments.Allergy Asthma Immunol Res. 2019 Jul;11(4):450-469. doi: 10.4168/aair.2019.11.4.450.
Hu R, Huang H, Zhou Y, Liu Y, Ren Y, Liao Y,et al.A chromosomal-level genome ofDermatophagoides farinae, a common allergenic mite species.Int J Genomics. 2024 Apr 24;2024:3779688. doi:10.1155/2024/3779688
Wilson JM, Platts-mills TAE.Home environmental interventions for house dust mite.J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2018;6(1):1-7. doi:10.1016/j.jaip.2017.10.003
Matsumura K, Hamazaki K, Tsuchida A, Inadera H,The Japan environment and children’s study Jecs Group. house dust avoidance during pregnancy and subsequent infant development: The Japan environment and children’s study.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Apr 17;18(8):4277. doi:10.3390/ijerph18084277
American Lung Association.Reducing dust mites.
Hsu CH, Chien DK, Tsai JJ, Yen CY, Liao EC.The prevalence of IgE positivity, environmental factors, and clinical implications associated with mite species in allergic patients in Taiwan.Asian Pac J Allergy Immunol. 2024 Jan 6. doi:10.12932/AP-270623-1644
American Lung Association.Dust mites.
Zuiani C, Custovic A.Update on House Dust Mite Allergen Avoidance Measures for Asthma.Curr Allergy Asthma Rep. 2020 Jun 19;20(9):50. doi: 10.1007/s11882-020-00948-y.
National Eczema Association.5 common places dust mites are lurking.
Nankervis H, Pynn EV, Boyle RJ, Rushton L, Williams HC, Hewson DM,et al.House dust mite reduction and avoidance measures for treating eczema.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015 Jan 19;1(1):CD008426. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD008426.pub2
American Lung Association.Carpets and rugs.
Sun L, Miller JD, Van Ryswyk K, Wheeler AJ, Héroux ME, Goldberg MS,et al.Household determinants of biocontaminant exposures in Canadian homes.Indoor Air. 2022 Jan;32(1):e12933. doi: 10.1111/ina.12933
Szefler SJ, Bonilla FA, Akdis CA, Sampson H.Pediatric Allergy: Principles and Practice. New York, NY: Elsevier Health Sciences; 2015.
Klain A, Senatore AA, Licari A, Galletta F, Bettini I, Tomei L,et al.The prevention of house dust mite allergies in pediatric asthma.Children (Basel). 2024 Apr 15;11(4):469. doi:10.3390/children11040469
Leas BF, D’anci KE, Apter AJ, et al.Effectiveness of indoor allergen reduction in asthma management: a systematic review.J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2018;141(5):1854-1869. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2018.02.001
Kim JR, Kim SH.Eco-friendly acaricidal effects of nylon 66 nanofibers via grafted clove bud oil-loaded capsules on house dust mites.Nanomaterials (Basel). 2017 Jul 10;7(7):179. doi:10.3390/nano7070179
Jung Y, Yang H, Lee IY, Yong TS, Lee S.Core/sheath-structured composite nanofibers containing cinnamon oil: Their antibacterial and antifungal properties and acaricidal effect against house dust mites.Polymers (Basel). 2020 Jan 20;12(1):243. doi:10.3390/polym12010243
Clarke D, Gormally M, Sheahan J, Byrne M.Child car seats - a habitat for house dust mites and reservoir for harmful allergens.Ann Agric Environ Med. 2015;22(1):17-22. doi:10.5604/12321966.1141362
Cloutier MM, Baptist AP, Blake KV, et al.2020 focused updates to the asthma management guidelines: A report from the national asthma education and prevention program coordinating committee expert panel working group.Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2020;146(6):1217-1270. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2020.10.003
Acevedo N, Zakzuk J, Caraballo L.House Dust Mite Allergy Under Changing Environments.Allergy Asthma Immunol Res. 2019 Jul;11(4):450-469. doi: 10.4168/aair.2019.11.4.450.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Asthma. Updated May 7, 2020.
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