Get rid of dust mites!

Clean up your living environment with a few simple gestures to prevent rhinitis and asthma caused by dust mite allergies.

Where can we find them?

Do you know what dust mites are? They're microscopic, little creatures that love warm, damp environments, such as bedding, carpets and armchairs. They can be found in your home all year round, but their reproduction is accelerated in autumn and early spring. For most people, their presence is of no consequence, but rhinitis or asthma can occur for those sensitized to dust mites.

Females can quickly colonize a mattress at an egg-laying rate of 25 to 50 eggs every three weeks: your bed can contain up to two million eggs! Since the risk of allergic complications is proportional to the number of mites, it's essential to eliminate their breeding grounds as far as possible. The growth of dust mite allergies in Western countries is also explained by changes in lifestyle, notably the widespread use of carpets and more isolated dwellings.

How can I get rid of dust mites?

There are several simple steps you can take to combat these little critters. First and foremost, eliminate the cause of the problem: get rid of dust mite nests, such as carpets and fabric armchairs. Curtains should also be washed every three months, dog or cat baskets thoroughly cleaned, and humidifiers removed. Using anti-dust mite sprays or powders can also reduce the density of dust mites on carpets and sofas.

It's recommended to lower room temperatures to 18°C, ideally by airing out your home regularly, especially after vacuuming. Allergy sufferers should avoid vacuuming themselves to avoid breathing in dust displaced during cleaning. Meticulously cleaning your bedroom is a top priority. The bed's warmth and the sleepers' perspiration are ideal conditions for their reproduction. Dust mites feed on skin debris, hair and nail clippings. You should cover your mattress with an anti-mite cover and wash all bedding every 2 weeks in hot water (minimum 60°C). Allergy sufferers will prefer pillows with polyester filling. Other tips? Vacuum mattresses, box springs and bed frames regularly. Children's favourite stuffed toys are also a breeding ground for dust mites. To slow their reproduction, normally between 20 and 30°C, stuffed toys can be placed in the freezer for a few dozen minutes or in the refrigerator for half an hour.