The Life And Times Of Public Enemey Number One - The Dust Mite
So small you can hardly see them, members of the arachnid or spider family, the mighty dust mite is one of those amazing little creatures. Viewed through a microscope, the look like they belong in outer space.
But they are not found in outer space, they are found wherever soft furnishings are found. Your bed, only 10000 of the little mites there. Your lounge suite, carpets and even in you curtains.
Humans have a fear, some verging on paranoia, about the common dust mite. Yet they are harmless. They don’t bite, sting or even transmit diseases. Yes, public enemy number one is totally harmless.
If they are harmless, why the constant talk about removing them? The dust mite is harmless, it is what they leave behind that causes the problems. Dust mites excrete up to 20 tiny little pellets of fecal matter each and every day. Multiply that by 10000 in your bed and you 200 000 little pellets floating around. These pellets contain a protein that many people are allergic to.
Allergies to this protein range from very mild through to very severe. The only way to control the situation is by reducing the number of dust mites and, more importantly, reducing those pellets.
Basic regular laundering of all bedding helps along with good protection for your mattresses and pillows. Air filters can help remove many of these allergens. Regular vacuum cleaning with a quality vacuum cleaner and HEPA filter can be extremely effective as well.
The dust mite isn’t public enemy number one - but what it leaves behind should be.
