Dust mites are one of the most common causes of allergies, and they can wreak havoc on your indoor air quality. These arachnids prefer humid and warm places. Temperatures over 70 degrees with 75 to 80 percent humidity allow dust mites to multiply rapidly. However, they can’t survive in climates with 40 to 50 percent humidity.
The proteins found in the feces and bodies of dust mites aggravate allergy symptoms, which are usually found in ma
ttresses, pillows, upholstered furniture and carpet. In fact, one gram of dust can contain over 19,000 dust mites, which can make your attempts to increase indoor air quality futile.
But you can increase indoor air quality in your home by creating an unfriendly environment in which dust mites won’t be able to thrive. Here are a few tips to help you increase your indoor air quality.
- Control Humidity: Keep the humidity in your home lower than 55 percent. Your air conditioner will remove a lot of the humidity, but using a dehumidifier can alleviate the stress on your air conditioner, maintaining its efficiency. Using exhaust fans when showering or cooking will help prevent excess humidity.
- Remove Carpeting: If possible, remove wall to wall carpeting to prevent dust mites from making it their home; if you can’t remove the carpet, vacuum regularly using a HEPA filter. The dust kicked up by vacuuming can take over two hours to settle again. Because of this, vacuum when allergy sufferers aren’t home. If you suffer with allergies, use a mask when vacuuming to prevent a flare up.
- Keep Pets Out of Bedrooms: Dust mites can cling onto pet fur, so keep pets out of bedrooms to prevent the spread of the arachnids.
- Protect Bedding: Wrap mattresses and pillows in covers that are “mite proof” to prevent infestation. You should also wash bedding in hot water regularly.
For more information on increasing indoor air quality or if you have questions about other HVAC issues, contact Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning Co. Our expert HVAC technicians been serving the Twin Cities area since 1974.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about dust mites and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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