You’ve probably seen those alarming commercials where you’re told that the weight of your mattress can double in 10 years due to the presence of dust mites and their droppings. So is it true? Probably not.

What is true is that there are hundreds of thousands to millions of dust mites in our pillows, mattresses, and carpets. They love being where we are, because they feed off our dead skin cells, which also adds to the weight of your mattress.

What does all that mean to you? Maybe you and your family need dust mite protection.

What Are Dust Mites?

Dust mites are a kind of arthropod — like a tick or a spider. They prefer moist, warm environments and find living in our homes — in linens, carpets, rugs, upholstered furniture, and bedding — just right. What’s more, all that human skin that flakes off in our homes is their primary source of food. That means that in addition to dust mite bodies and skin flakes, these creatures are adding to the mix by producing feces.

Because dust mites are so tiny, we’re usually not aware of them until we become allergic to them and their feces. Dust allergies can, in fact, be an allergic reaction to the particles these critters generate.

Dust Mite Protection

Here are a few tips for getting dust mites under control.

• Vacuum frequently, including upholstered furniture, with a HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter.
• Wash linens in hot water.
• Keep mattresses and pillows in anti-mite covers.
• Use a good quality pleated air filter in your HVAC system to catch airborne particulates.
• Consider installing a whole-house air cleaner.
• Run the A/C at a cooler temperature. This will also help dry out the air. Remember, dust mites love humidity.

For more on dust mite protection, or to schedule maintenance, repairs and installations, contact Powers Heating and Air of Peachtree City.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Peachtree City, Georgia and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 770-487-2040.