Dust mites are tiny animals you cannot see. Every home has
dust mites. They feed on skin flakes and are found in mattresses, pillows, carpets,
upholstered furniture, bedcovers, clothes, stuffed toys, and fabric or other
fabric-covered items. Body parts and feces of dust mites can trigger asthma in
individuals with an allergic reaction to dust mites. Exposure to
dust mite allergen can cause asthma in susceptible children.
- Wash bedding (such as sheets, bedcovers, and blankets) once a week in hot water.
- Choose washable stuffed toys, wash them often in hot water, and dry thoroughly.
Keep stuffed toys off beds.
- Cover mattresses and pillows in dust-proof (allergen-impermeable) zippered covers.
- Maintain low indoor humidity ideally between 30-50% relative humidity. Humidity
levels can be measured by hygrometers which are available at local hardware stores.
Dust Mites: A Primer, by Lilian
Blanco PhD, MOIF, DG 
House
Dust Mites, Barb Ogg, Ph.D., Extension Educator, University of Nebraska,
Lincoln, Educational Resource Guide #13, March 27, 2001
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