December, 2018 | Amco Ranger

We share our homes with millions of microscopic organisms including dust mites.

What are Dust Mites?

Dust mites are a member of the arachnid family and live almost exclusively in human homes. They are invisible to the naked eye – only 0.2 to 0.3 millimeters long with translucent bodies. Although numerous, dust mites are fairly short-lived with the male lifespan being 10-20 days and females living up to 70 days.

Dust mites thrive in warm, humid conditions and set up home in areas that attract the most human traffic such as carpets, rugs, couches, beds, and soft toys. This is because their food source is the dead skin cells we shed every day. Fortunately, dust mites are not parasitic in nature and don’t bite humans. However, their droppings and the body fragments of deceased mites can cause allergic reactions.

How to Get Rid of Dust Mites in Your Home

Bedding

Keep all sleeping areas in your home clean to prevent a buildup of dead skin, thereby denying dust mites their main food source. Kill dust mites by regularly washing all bedding in very hot water and dry on the hottest setting.

Replace your pillows every two to five years and replace mattresses every 10 years. Dust mites like to live in the deepest parts of your pillows and mattresses. Replacing these items may be expensive, but it is the best method to prevent dust mites from accumulating over time.

Invest in hypoallergenic pillow and mattress covers. These covers offer an additional barrier between you and dust mite allergens. Also, leave your bed unmade. This allows your bedding to air dry, which can significantly reduce the number of dust mites calling your bed home.

Temperature

Dust mites love warm, humid environments, so reducing the humidity and temperature in your home can lessen their numbers. Use your air conditioner when it gets hot and use a dehumidifier to keep the humidity low.

Cleaning

Feather dusters do not get rid of the dust in your home; they just sweep it into the air. To remove dust, use a damp rag to clean surfaces. By eliminating the food source, you have a greater chance of eliminating the mites.

Pets

Mites are not picky about whose dead skin they eat. Groom your pets outside to keep old hair out of your home. Regular baths are recommended, as well as vacuuming pet beds.

Sunlight

Direct sunlight kills dust mites, so allow as much sunlight into your home as possible. Occasionally hang bedding, clothing, rugs, etc. outside in direct sunlight.

Clutter

Reduce clutter. The fewer things you have collecting dust, the better. Get rid of items you haven’t used in the last year or store them in a plastic tub.

Stuffed toys

Reduce the number of stuffed toys in your home. Stuffed toys provide the perfect safe haven for dust mites as they collect dust easily. If your child cannot part with the toys, freeze them for 24-48 hours every two weeks to kill the dust mites and then wash and dry thoroughly.

We can help

No matter how intimidating or pervasive your pest problem, you can trust that Amco Ranger knows exactly how to handle it and make sure it doesn’t happen again. Give us a call today if you need help getting rid of pests in your home in Cottleville, St. Peters, O’Fallon, St. Charles, and surrounding communities.

Wrong bug? Check out our bed bug FAQ.

The most likely way to encounter bed bugs is through travel. They can easily hitch a ride in your luggage back to your home. You can avoid bed bugs in your holiday travels when you are armed with a little knowledge.

What are bed bugs?

Bed bugs are small insects that mostly are found in beds, but may also be found in other furniture and draperies. They typically hide during the day and come out at night to feast on human blood.

Why are bed bugs such a big deal?

Bed bugs are one of the most difficult pests to eliminate. They can live for a year without feeding, they multiply quickly, and they can’t be killed with store-bought bug sprays.

What do bed bugs look like?

Adult bed bugs are reddish-brown, oval, flat, and roughly the size of an apple seed. They have six legs and move quite fast. Bed bug eggs are translucent and smaller than the head of a straight pin.

Are bed bug bites dangerous?

Although the bites are itchy, irritating, and carry a huge ick factor, they are not dangerous. Unlike other blood-sucking insects, such as mosquitoes, bed bugs don’t carry diseases.

How will I know if I have bed bugs?

The signs of bed bugs are easy to notice – if you wake up with a row or cluster of itchy bites on your skin, then your bed is infested. It’s also possible to spot the insects with the naked eye. Check the seams of your mattress and crevices in your bed frame and headboard using a flashlight.

How can I prevent infestation?

Avoid bringing second-hand furniture, mattresses, or bed sheets into your home. Also, protect yourself during travel. Never place your luggage on the bed. Always inspect the hotel mattress for bed bugs, and inspect your luggage before you return home.

Do bed bugs only live in my bed?

No. Bed bugs can also live in upholstered furniture, behind headboards, baseboards, and even behind pictures on the wall.

If I keep my home clean, will that prevent bed bugs?

No. Bed bugs only care about food and shelter. Even if your house is spotless, they can breed and thrive with the shelter of your bed and your blood for food.

If I have bed bugs, does that mean trouble for my pet too?

Pets are known to carry bed bugs inside people’s homes. However, bed bugs cannot live on pets the way fleas can. They also cannot attach themselves or their eggs on animal fur.

How can I avoid bed bugs when traveling?

Inspect the hotel bed as soon as you check in. Using a flashlight, examine the mattress, headboard, sheets, and pillows for spots. Look around the bed and around the bedside tables and drawers. If there’s nothing suspicious, you can rest easy.

What do I do, if I suspect I brought home bed bugs?

Open your luggage on the floor, where you would be able to see bed bugs (light colored tiles for example). Don’t unpack on a carpet. Wash your clothes in hot water and put them in the dryer on high heat for at least 30 minutes. Place your luggage in a sealed trash bag and place it in a freezer set at zero degrees for at least four days.

What should I never do?

There are many “natural” ways to deal with bed bugs posted online, such as using petroleum jelly or thyme oil. None of them work. Also, don’t spray the bed with insecticide. It’s a health hazard, and it won’t kill the bed bugs anyway, because they are immune to commercial insecticides. In addition, don’t throw out your mattress and get a new one. The new mattress will get infested with bed bugs that were living in the frame, headboard, and other areas.

We can help

The best solution for bed bugs is to hire a pest control company with experience successfully controlling bed bugs. No matter how intimidating or pervasive your pest problem, you can trust that Amco Ranger knows exactly how to handle it and make sure it doesn’t happen again. Give us a call today if you need help getting rid of bed bugs in your home or business in Cottleville, St. Peters, O’Fallon, St. Charles, and surrounding communities.

Check out our bed bug elimination program here.